The HFL B Team dropped a hard-fought contest against the Pal-Mac Red Raiders on a beautiful Sunday afternoon by the final score of 26-18. Pal-Mac struck pay dirt first on the day, taking the opening kickoff all the way in for a touchdown. The Red Raiders defense looked tough early, effectively shutting down the usually potent HFL running attack and forcing the ball over on downs. Things quickly got worse for HFL, giving up another touchdown run, and falling behind 13-0. Momentum quickly swung back HFL’s way on the next Cougars possession. On the ensuing drive, Nate Ross delivered a punishing Larry Czonka-like run around the left end of the Pal-Mac defense for a touchdown, bringing the Cougars within a score at 13-6. Pal-Mac seemed to be on their way to another score again with an effectively balanced offensive attack when HFL’s Andrew Childs snagged a momentum-shifting interception and ran it back to the Pal-Mac 30 yard line. HFL’s running game started to come to life behind some good blocking up front by Branden Levine, Benjamin McDougall, Jacob derby, and Gunnar Wetzel. After two long runs by Colt Green and Patrick Lustyk, Zac Meacham punched the ball in for a TD, narrowing the P-M lead to 13-12.

Despite some big hits and tackles for losses by Cougars defenders Jacob derby and Robert Greer, the Red Raiders unpredictable power and finesse running game was just too much for HFL, scoring again to go ahead 19-12. HFL’s defense would come up big on the final play of the half however, managing to hold P-M out of the end zone on the 2 yard line to keep the game within reach. In the second half, HFL never gave up and kept fighting. Patrick Lustyk closed the P-M lead to 19-18 on a beautiful 35 yard scoring scamper. P-M’s gritty power run game and speed to the outside would not be denied on this day, however. The Red Raiders put together a clock-eating long drive, going up 26-18 late in the 4th quarter. The teams would exchange possessions a few more times, but the final score of 26-18 would hold. Pal-Mac and HFL both played a great game, and both deserve congratulations. The Cougars now sit at 2-2 on the season, and look to stop their two-game losing skid against Marcus Whitman at home on Saturday, Sept. 20.