The Mansfield Hornets I-1 Pop Warner Comes Away with a 12-6 Win

Submitted by Thomas Stevens.

Defense was tough on both sides and the first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie.  The first scoring drive was set up by the Hornets defense getting a turnover on downs on a big play by Andrew Krysko on fourth and 10. 

The Hornets took over on offense and had big runs by Mark DeGirolamo, Garrett Fish, and Nicholas Anderson to get the ball to the South Boston 3-yard line. 

Garrett Fish ran it in for the day's first TD to put the Hornets on the board behind solid blocking by Joshua Kidwell and Dylan Buchanan. After coming up six inches short on the PAT attempt, Mansfield led, 6-0. 

The Hornet defense remained stout and closed out the first half with a 9-yard sack by Indiomy Gonzalez and Declan Rooney on fourth and 6.  The Hornets defense started the second half strong as Collin Stevens caused a fumble for the game's first turnover, recovered by Jack Colby. 

Mansfield got close on two long runs by Jack Colby, but turned the ball over on downs to South Boston deep in South Boston territory. The Hornets defense remained impenetrable for the third quarter and the Hornets took a 6-0 lead into the fourth quarter.  

The defensive battle continued and after a couple of possessions, South Boston got the ball with time expiring in the game. A big South Boston run to the Hornets' 10 yard line resulted in a game tying touchdown three plays later. 

With the game on the line on the second to last play of the game, the Hornets, behind Mark DeGirolamo and Colton Johnson stopped South Boston on the PAT and kept the game tied at six. 

On the last snap of the game, QB Garrett Fish ran a keeper to the left and raced down the left sideline for the decisive score and the Hornets' first win of the 2012 season.