Late Heroics Lead The Comanche To Victory Over The Mustangs

April 28, 2024 Brian Ptashinski

FREELAND - When the Dauphin County Comanche quarterback London Johnson left the game in the first half due to an injury, not many would foresee him returning at any time the rest of the contest Saturday afternoon in a key Great Eastern Football Association (GEFA) 8-man semi-pro game played at Gene Della Croce Field. Johnson would return to throw the game-winning 20 yard touchdown pass to Larry Wingo as time expired in a thrilling 25-24 win over the Hazleton Mustangs.

Johnson left the game with the score 13-0 in favor of the Comanche, but the Mustangs would rally back to cut the lead to 13-12 early in the third quarter. The first coming with 3:17 left before half on a 5 yard pass from Waleek Huffin to Matt Wise and a 55-yard kickoff return by Jay Mensah to open the second half. Both PAT's were unsuccessful.

The Mustangs took the lead with 3:09 left in the third quarter, when RB Anthony Maurent ran off the end for a six yard score making it a 18-13 lead for the home team. Steven Pryor would answer back for the Comanche as he pushed the pile into the end zone from two yards out making the score 19-18 with just 5:36 left to play in the last quarter.

On their ensuing drive Huffin would hookup with Wise once again for a 20-yard score, as Wise out jumped the defender for the score and 24-19 lead with just 3:44 left.

The Comanche used several quarterbacks in the contest when Johnson went out, the last being Tyrese Stewart, who was sacked on the play before the game-winning score and as injured on the play setting up for the dramatic return of Johnson for the win. The Comanche improve to 3-1 and will be at the Wilkes-Barre Warriors (3-2) May 4th. The Warriors shut out the Crusaders 78-0 Saturday. The Mustangs (1-2) will be home with the Titans (2-3) May 4th.