Kyler Quick, Mahanoy Area. (Photo courtesy of First Class School Photography)

PINE GROVE — Mahanoy Area’s defense came up big when it mattered most.

First-year head coach Mick Connolly saw things click in practice last week and it paid off with his first career win over Pine Grove 22-20 in the Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division on Friday night.

“Great week of practice. I told them Thursday at practice — if we take this effort onto the field Friday night, we’re going to be golden,” Connolly said. “That’s the most comfortable I’ve felt walking off the practice field since I started this journey.”

After playing the last four weeks against undefeated opponents, Connolly made adjustments heading into this matchup. He handed defensive responsibilities to assistants Sam Quick and Matt Lawrence.

“They’re doing a great job and it’s paying dividends,” Connolly said. “Defense is getting better, we’ve made some changes and we’re a young team.”

The first half featured just one score: Pine Grove’s Wyatt Snyder converted a fourth down with a 10-yard touchdown run to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead. The Golden Bears, meanwhile, managed just 47 yards of offense heading into the locker room.

That’s when the defense and special teams swung momentum. Quintin Rucker ignited the Bears with a 42-yard punt return touchdown to put Mahanoy on the board. Later, Kyler Quick ripped the ball loose from a Cardinal ballcarrier and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. By the end of the third quarter, Mahanoy led 16-7 despite still having under 100 yards of total offense.

Early in the fourth, J.D. Kowalchick intercepted Snyder and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 22-7.

Pine Grove battled back through the air. Snyder connected with Omir Ballard for a 6-yard score, then found Teagan Schneck-Haines for a 13-yard touchdown after an onside kick recovery. That pulled the Cardinals within two, but Mahanoy’s defense held firm, stopping the conversion attempt to seal a 22-20 victory in Pine Grove.

“They don’t give up, they don’t quit, they work hard, and they worked their butts off this week,” Connolly said of his team’s effort.

The Golden Bears (1-4) now turn their attention to Nativity, while Pine Grove (1-4) will travel to Minersville next Friday.

Game Summary

Mahanoy Area 22, Pine Grove 20

MA (1-5, 1-4)         0          0          16          6  —    22

PG (1-5, 1-4)          0          7          0          13  —    20

PG – Snyder 10 run (Renninger kick)

MA – Rucker 42 punt return (Kowalchick run)

MA – Quick 32 fumble return (Kowalchick run)

MA – Kowalchick 22 interception return (conversion failed)

PG – Ballard 25 pass from Snyder (Renninger kick)

PG – Schneck-Haines 13 pass from Snyder (conversion failed)

Team Statistics

MA-PG

Rushes-Yards — 29-89      31-135

Passes —- 3-10-0      6-12-2

Passing Yards —- 15      83

Total Yards —- 104      218

Fumbles/Lost —- 0-0      2-2

Penalties — 5-50      2-25

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Mahaoy Area — Quick 23-88, Rucker 3-2, Kowalchick 3-(-1). Pine Grove — Snyder 10-41, Troup 14-67, Ballard 5-19, Kurtz 2-8.

PASSING: Mahanoy Area — Kowalchick 3-10-0, 15. Pine Grove — Snyder 6-12-2, 83.

RECEIVING: Mahanoy Area — Redgate 2-11, Contreras 1-4. Pine Grove — Schneck-Haines 3-67, Ballard 1-6, Troup 1-8.

INTERCEPTIONS: Mahanoy Area — Kowalchick 2. Pine Grove — None.