BUTLER, Pa. – Two major factors led to No. 5 University High dropping its second game of the season on Friday night.
Factor 1: The Hawks turned the ball over four times, including throwing a pick-6 and also fumbling a kickoff return.
Factor 2: Butler (Pa.) running back Mark Klemz rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
Both led to Butler’s 35-27 victory over the Hawks (4-2) inside Art Bernardi Stadium.
“We just couldn’t take care of the football,” UHS head coach Eric Snyder said. “We gave them their first two touchdowns. We threw a pick-6 on our first drive and then fumbled the kickoff that led to another touchdown. It was very disappointing.”
The Hawks, who host Connellsville (Pa.) this week, did fight back to tie the game, 14-14, by halftime and then took a 21-14 lead in the third quarter.
“We had a drive deep into their territory and then we fumble the ball away again,” Snyder said.
That led to a big run from Klemz, who averaged 7.8 yards per carry in the game. The Golden Tornado (5-2) punched in a touchdown to tie the game.
“And then we fumble the kickoff again,” Snyder said. “Now they’re up 28-21.”
Butler made it 35-21 on a 25-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.
“That gave them all the momentum,” Snyder said. “The bottom line is we just couldn’t overcome the turnovers. You give a good team four more extra possessions, it’s going to come back to haunt you.”
UHS receivers Hayden George and K.K. Lewis each had touchdown receptions and George intercepted a Golden Tornado pass on defense.
“Our guys were magnificent in trying to battle back,” Snyder said. “We ran out of time and we ran out of possessions. The turnovers just killed us.”
Butler also did some damage on defense with Nicco Baggetta, who finished with a quarterback sack and forced a fumble. Teammates Beau Burchett and Jacob Kollinger also sacked UHS quarterback Harrison Helbig.
