Mustangs pull first-ever sweep of NP
The Lower Mac Mustangs completed a sweep of the North Parkland teams for first time in the organization's short history.
The 125's finished the season 8-0 with a 16-8 win over North Parkland Sunday. Izaiah McPherson started the scoring with a 54-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter and Chris Smith added the extra point for an 8-0 lead. After North Parkland tied it at 8-8, the Mustangs took the ball on a long drive led by the passing of Stefan Rollin, who hit Liam Ross several times for first downs. Josh Artis plunged in from five yards away to give the Mustangs a 16-8 halftime lead.
The second half was all about the Mustang defense, led by Jake Wieder, shutting down the North Parkland Buffaloes and preserving the win. The Mustangs earned the top seed in the playoffs and will face the Bethlehem Raiders Sunday at South Parkland Grange Road with a 2 p.m. start.
The 110-pound Mustangs finished the regular season at 7-1 with a 12-7 victory over North Parkland. Bailey O'Connor opened the scoring with a quarterback sneak and Sone Ntoh added the final score with a 70-yard touchdown run.
The Mustang defense, led by Collin Ravier, Carlton Lovette, Bailey O'Connor and Tyler Fritz, stood tall until late in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs open with North Parkland in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lower Mac 95s pulled off the upset of North Parkland on Sunday, winning 24-20 to get themselves into the playoffs as a seven seed. Tanner Ritter returned two North Parkland fumbles for touchdowns and Alex Orlando was good on both extra points to give the Mustangs an early 16-0 lead at halftime.
On offense, Lower Macungie started moving the ball behind Ethan Macik, Caleb Kern and Justin Hollinger. The Mustangs would eventually score on a 50-yard Ritter run. North Parkland picked it up offensively in the second half scoring three times, but coming up short. Alex Lanzone took a knee to preserve a 24-20 win to send Lower Mac into the playoffs.