A LOOK BACK...
2003 PIAA 2A State Championship Game
Hershey Park Stadium
Sunday, December 7, 2003
Sunday, December 7, 2003
Today marks the 10-year anniversary for the one of the wildest, heartbreaking games imaginable. At the forefront is a kid who would grow up to be one of the best corners in NFL history.
Bulldog coach Jim Tkach built one of the strongest teams the league has seen. Their dominance crushed league opponents outscoring them an incredible 449-23 including 7 straight regular season shutouts.
In four playoff games to reach Hershey the Bulldogs outscored opponents 78-24. This included a 6-0 win over Delone Catholic and a 10-7 comeback against Lakeland.
Photo Courtesy of the Morning-Call, Click the link to see the Flashback.
Bulldog coach Jim Tkach built one of the strongest teams the league has seen. Their dominance crushed league opponents outscoring them an incredible 449-23 including 7 straight regular season shutouts.
In four playoff games to reach Hershey the Bulldogs outscored opponents 78-24. This included a 6-0 win over Delone Catholic and a 10-7 comeback against Lakeland.
Photo Courtesy of the Morning-Call, Click the link to see the Flashback.
Revis scores 5 TDs as 'Quips' sink NL's state title bid
I will never forget the sinking feeling I had when Northern Lehigh fumbled trying to run the clock and then seeing the future NFL shutdown Cornerback lining up in the shotgun to take the direct snap.
The Bulldogs had been struck by lightning earlier in the game despite moving the ball up and down the field on Aliquippa. Jake Serfass scored to give Northern Lehigh the first a 7-0 lead. Darelle Revis responded with an 89-yard Kick off return for his first score.
Northern Lehigh's Kyle Follweiler rambled in from 36-yards for a 14-7 lead. With less than 30-seconds left in the first quarter, the Bulldogs line up to kick a field goal and extend the lead. Revis was one of three that busted through the line. The kick was blocked and Revis scooped it up for his second score of the game.
The one-man wrecking crew gave the 'Quips a 20-14 lead at half with a touchdown run.
The Bulldogs came out and controlled the third quarter. Bob Sutjak provided lightning of his own with his specialty, a punt return for a touchdown that tied the game. Jack Gill's touchdown run gave the Bulldogs a 27-20 lead.
That is when "The Change" was made. The 'Quips coach placed Revis at quarterback. In the fourth quarter he completed his only pass - a 39-yarder- that led to his fourth touchdown, a 2-yard run. The two point run failed leaving the Bulldogs with a one-point lead with 6:53 left in the game.
The Bulldogs responded in championship form. They pounded at the 'Quips defense and drove the ball. They were just a few first downs away from becoming the first Colonial League team to win a state championship. Then, disaster struck. Serfass, who ran hard all day and finished with 118-yards, fumbled at the Aliquippa 28-yard line. This gave Revis the ball and another chance with 4:46 remaining.
The lightning struck again in the fading sunlight of that Sunday afternoon. Revis rolled left looking to throw. Seeing it was open he eluded defenders and outraced the Bulldogs to the end zone. His 64-yard run sealed the deal and the state title for the 'Quips.
The Bulldogs couldn't muster a miracle-comeback as Pete Wayda's final pass was intercepted with 24-seconds remaining to leave Northern Lehigh with silver medals.
THE REVIS RUNDOWN
- Northern Lehigh gave up just 47-points through the first 14 games. Revis scored 30-points on his own in the title game.
- Revis had 13 carries for 91-yards and 3 rushing TDs
- He returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
- Revis picked up a blocked field goal and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown.
- Revis intercepted a pass and returned it 33-yards and had another wiped away due to a penalty.
- He was 1-for-1 passing for 39-yards. This set up a 4th quarter touchdown.
- He caught 1 pass for six yards
- According to the Post-Gazette, Revis had five tackles
BLOG IT UP: Go to the NEWS BLOG and feel free to share your thoughts and memories of this fantastic football game.
REFLECTION
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Recalling the dominance of Aliquippa's Darelle Revis.
To see a Review of Northern Lehigh's season complete with Box-Scores:
2003 Northern Lehigh Football
GAME STORIES
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette: Do-it-all Revis...
Morning-Call: One Touchdown Short...
Beaver-County Times: Quips Didn't Care
PREVIEWS
Beaver-County Times: 2003 PIAA 2A State Championship Preview
TRIBE-Live Sports: NL, Aliquippa Face Tough dominant running games
The Bulldogs had been struck by lightning earlier in the game despite moving the ball up and down the field on Aliquippa. Jake Serfass scored to give Northern Lehigh the first a 7-0 lead. Darelle Revis responded with an 89-yard Kick off return for his first score.
Northern Lehigh's Kyle Follweiler rambled in from 36-yards for a 14-7 lead. With less than 30-seconds left in the first quarter, the Bulldogs line up to kick a field goal and extend the lead. Revis was one of three that busted through the line. The kick was blocked and Revis scooped it up for his second score of the game.
The one-man wrecking crew gave the 'Quips a 20-14 lead at half with a touchdown run.
The Bulldogs came out and controlled the third quarter. Bob Sutjak provided lightning of his own with his specialty, a punt return for a touchdown that tied the game. Jack Gill's touchdown run gave the Bulldogs a 27-20 lead.
That is when "The Change" was made. The 'Quips coach placed Revis at quarterback. In the fourth quarter he completed his only pass - a 39-yarder- that led to his fourth touchdown, a 2-yard run. The two point run failed leaving the Bulldogs with a one-point lead with 6:53 left in the game.
The Bulldogs responded in championship form. They pounded at the 'Quips defense and drove the ball. They were just a few first downs away from becoming the first Colonial League team to win a state championship. Then, disaster struck. Serfass, who ran hard all day and finished with 118-yards, fumbled at the Aliquippa 28-yard line. This gave Revis the ball and another chance with 4:46 remaining.
The lightning struck again in the fading sunlight of that Sunday afternoon. Revis rolled left looking to throw. Seeing it was open he eluded defenders and outraced the Bulldogs to the end zone. His 64-yard run sealed the deal and the state title for the 'Quips.
The Bulldogs couldn't muster a miracle-comeback as Pete Wayda's final pass was intercepted with 24-seconds remaining to leave Northern Lehigh with silver medals.
THE REVIS RUNDOWN
- Northern Lehigh gave up just 47-points through the first 14 games. Revis scored 30-points on his own in the title game.
- Revis had 13 carries for 91-yards and 3 rushing TDs
- He returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
- Revis picked up a blocked field goal and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown.
- Revis intercepted a pass and returned it 33-yards and had another wiped away due to a penalty.
- He was 1-for-1 passing for 39-yards. This set up a 4th quarter touchdown.
- He caught 1 pass for six yards
- According to the Post-Gazette, Revis had five tackles
BLOG IT UP: Go to the NEWS BLOG and feel free to share your thoughts and memories of this fantastic football game.
REFLECTION
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Recalling the dominance of Aliquippa's Darelle Revis.
To see a Review of Northern Lehigh's season complete with Box-Scores:
2003 Northern Lehigh Football
GAME STORIES
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette: Do-it-all Revis...
Morning-Call: One Touchdown Short...
Beaver-County Times: Quips Didn't Care
PREVIEWS
Beaver-County Times: 2003 PIAA 2A State Championship Preview
TRIBE-Live Sports: NL, Aliquippa Face Tough dominant running games