By Jonathan Shaffer

KNOX – Redbank Valley’s Chris Merwin passed for more yards than Keystone’s Adam Black, but the underrated Panthers defense helped Keystone to a 27-6 win over the Bulldogs in Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference action Friday night.

Keystone (6-2 overall, 5-2 KSAC) was clinging to playoff hopes going into the game and wanted a strong performance before its big contest at home against Clarion Oct. 26.

What the Panthers got was bleaker playoff possibilities thanks to wins by Clarion-Limestone, Coudersport and Curwensville and an inconsistent performance from the vaunted "K-Gun" offense.

Black, the top-rated quarterback in the District 9, went 15-for-28 for 203 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Black also ran for a score.

But Merwin, albeit on a 9-for-30 performance with two interceptions, earned 221 yards, as Tyson Truitt led the Bulldogs (2-6, 2-5) with eight catches for 206 yards.

Keystone coach Dan Reed praised Redbank on its effort and was not completely pleased with his team’s performance.

"You have to give Redbank credit," Reed said. "They came out and played hard and physical. We were flat at times, and we blew some opportunities on offense.

Keystone did not look flat early on, scoring on its first possession of the game.

Black led the Panthers on an 11-play, 63-yard drive which ended on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Black to Bobby Telesz. A Chris Metcalf PAT put Keystone up 7-0 at the 5:41 mark in the first quarter.

The Keystone defense was sharp on the ensuing possession, as Billy Colwell picked off a third-and-16 attempted screen pass and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown, giving Keystone a 13-0 lead.

The Bulldogs offense had a chance to rally on their next possession. On the second play from scrimmage, Merwin found Lee Jordan for a 56-yard touchdown, but it was called back on a holding penalty. On the next two plays, Merwin was unable to connect with wide-open receivers deep downfield.

After the Redbank Valley possession stalled, the Panthers scored on its next possession, this time on a 1-yard run by Black with 14 seconds left in the first quarter. The extra point was wide, but Keystone had a 19-0 lead.

The second quarter proved to be drastically different than the first for Keystone.

Twice the Panthers drove to within the Redbank Valley 25-yard line, but both possessions ended with uncharacteristic interceptions from Black. Black only had three interceptions all year coming into the game.

Redbank Valley, though, capitalized on Keystone’s second miscue, as Merwin scored on the final play of the half on a 6-yard run, making the score 19-6 at halftime.

"We have to show that killer instinct when we have opponents on the ropes," Reed said. "We gave up some big plays, and we have to shore up our secondary before we face Clarion. The last couple games, we have had some defensive lapses, and you have to be concerned when your team plays flat."

Keystone was able to respond on the first drive of the second half, moving the ball 65 yards on eight plays for its final touchdown. Black threw his second touchdown on a 30-yard strike to Kurt Carnahan at the 8:16 mar.

Black then connected with Patrick Irwin on a two-point conversion to put Keystone up 27-6.

From there, the Keystone defense was able to hold off a spirited effort from the Bulldogs. Though the secondary had some problems, the defensive line stopped Ron Geist and the Redbank Valley running game.

Geist was held to 29 yards and 15 carries, while the Bulldogs rushed for a total of 51 yards on 26 carries (2.0 avg.).

KEYSTONE 27, REDBANK VALLEY 6

Scoring By Quarters

Redbank Valley 0 6 0 0 -6

Keystone 19 0 8 0 -27

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

K - Adam Black to Bobby Telesz 17 pass (Metcalf PAT) 5:41 7-0 K

K - Billy Colwell 11 INT return for TD (Buck Neely run failed) 4:11 13-0 K

K - Adam Black 1 run (PAT no good) 0:13 19-0 K

Second quarter

K - Chris Merwin 6 run (Ron Geist run failed) :00 (Last play of half) 19-6 K

Third quarter

K - Adam Black to Kurt Carnahan 30 pass (Black to Patrick Irwin conversion) 8:16 27-6 K

R K

Rushes – Yards 26-51 30-104

Passing Yards 221 229

Passes: Comp-Att-Int 9-30-2 17-31-2

Total Yardage 272 333

Penalties-Yards 5-65 5-50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Redbank Valley – Ron Geist 15-29, Chris Merwin 9-9 1 TD, Brandon Johnston 1-7, Tyson Shrecengost 1-6. Keystone – Chris Metcalf 15-72, Billy Colwell 7-27, Adam Black 4-13 1 TD, Kurt Carnahan 2-(-3), Buck Neely 2-(-5).

Passing: Redbank Valley – Chris Merwin 9-of-30, 221 yds., 2 INT. Keystone – Adam Black 15-of-28, 203 yds., 2 TD, 2 INT; Buck Neely 2-of-3, 26 yds.

Receiving: Redbank Valley – Tyson Truitt 8-206, Lee Jordan 1-15. Keystone – Bobby Telesz 9-105 1 TD, Billy Colwell 3-46, Patrick Irwin 2-37, Kurt Carnahan 2-36 1 TD, Barry Swartzfager 1-5.