Box Score (Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson football team celebrated Senior Day in style, defeating Gettysburg, 37-34, in double-overtime to reclaim possession of the Little Brown Bucket. The Red Devils battled back from a 14-point deficit and won the game on a 27-yard field-goal by sophomore Stephen Walker (Darien, Conn./Darien).
The Red Devils received strong performances all over the field, led by an inspired effort of the Red Devil seniors. Senior defensive end Kevin Sherry (Swarthmore, Pa./Strath Haven) recorded three sacks behind eight tackles, including seven solo stops on the day.
Dickinson jumped out to quick 7-0 lead as sophomore quarterback Billy Burger (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) broke free for a 58-yard run and then dove in from two yards out, on the Devils' first possession of the game.
The teams traded punts before the Bullets hit a 28-yard field-goal off the foot of Justin Geisel to make the score, 7-3, with 6:11 to play in the first quarter. Gettysburg drove 80 yards on 10 plays to start the second quarter and take a 10-7 lead at the 14:34 mark on a three-yard run from Justin Davidov.
The Red Devils answered on their next drive as Walker split the uprights from 45 yards out to tie the game with 10:38 remaining in the half.
Danny Thompson connected with Ryan Thompson in the back corner of the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown to pull in front, 17-10, on the Bullets' next series. Gettysburg was able to hold and force a punt, taking over with 6:16 to play in the half.
They put together a 12-play, 67-yard drive to stretch the lead to 24-10 at the half as Danny Thompson found Ryan Thompson once again for a two-yard touchdown.
The Bullets intercepted a pass to open the second half but turned it over on the ensuing possession as sophomore John Minicozzi (Media, Pa./Episcopal) recovered a fumble at the Gettysburg 40-yard line.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Devils found the end zone at the 13:48 mark of the fourth to cut the margin to 24-17 as Burger broke free again and used a great effort to get into the end zone to keep Dickinson within striking distance.
Junior Erik Dettloff (Fallston, Md./Fallston) came up with a huge interception and the teams traded possessions with Dickinson taking over with great field position at the Bullets' 42-yard line. Burger scored once again, running for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game with 8:16 on the clock.
The Devils forced a three-and-out, taking possession on their own 30-yard line. That drive would end with a 23-yard field-goal from Walker to put Dickinson up, 27-24, with just 3:06 to play in the game.
Thompson connected with Ty Abdul Karim on back-to-back passes for 45 yards to move the ball to the Dickinson 30-yard line. A false start and a five-yard sack by Sherry move the Bullets back to the 40.
The Devils were able to hold and force a 29-yard field-goal with 22 seconds left to prevent Gettysburg from taking the lead. They would be content to head to overtime as Burger took a knee to run out the clock in regulation.
Dickinson had the first possession in overtime and found themselves in a 3rd-and-10 situation. Burger connected with sophomore Jake Walbert (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) for a 19-yard gain and then almost made it into the end zone, diving for the goal line on a five-yard run. Burger would score on the next play, following the offensive line push into the end zone.
The Bullets countered on their possession with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Thompson to Abdul-Karim to force a second overtime. The Dickinson defense had to stay on the field as Gettysburg started the second frame on offense.
The Bullets went for it on 4th-and-1, but a big stop by Ned Emala (Baltimore, Md./Gilman) and Tyler Heisey (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) combined with a holding penalty, forced Gettysburg to attempt a 42-yard field-goal. The kick was no good and all Dickinson would need now is a field-goal to win the game.
They moved the ball to the 10-yard line and Walker calmly converted the game-winner from 27 yards out for the 37-34 victory.
Burger completed 17-of-28 passes for 220 yards and ran for 121 more on 27 carries. Senior Stephen Black (Baltimore, Md./Boys' Latin) turned in another strong performance, rushing for 93 yards on the day.
Walbert covered 103 yards on six catches while Jordan Hollander (Waverly, Pa./Abington Heights) made four receptions for 40 yards. Senior James Ward (Hatfield, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) added 95 yards on five kick returns and made two big catches for 30 yards as well.
Walker went 3-for-4 on the day, hitting field-goals from 45, 23 and 27 yards. First-year James Turner (Ridgefield, Conn./Suffield Academy) led the defense with 11 tackles, including 1.5-for-losses. Senior Pat Irwin (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) matched Sherry with eight tackles, adding one for a loss.
Emala tallied seven stops and a huge five-yard sack as the Devils combined for seven sacks on the afternoon.
Thompson completed 12-of-22 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns while Abdul-Karim caught six passes for 113 yards to lead Gettysburg. Frank Olmo led the defensive effort with a game-high 19 tackles as the Bullets slip to 3-6 overall and 3-5 in the Centennial Conference.
The Red Devils improve to 1-8 and 1-7 in the conference. They close out the season next weekend at Ursinus College with the opening kick-off set for 1:00 pm.
