Conestoga Wins 30-27, But Loses Playoff Berth

The Conestoga Pioneers won a second straight close game Friday night, defeating the Upper Darby Royals on the road 30-27. The Royals (2-6 in the Central League and 2-7 overall), were in the role of play-off spoiler for Conestoga. The Pioneers went into the locker room with a 17-6 lead over Upper Darby.

An Upper Darby fumble early in the third quarter gave Conestoga the ball. Pioneers Quarterback Joe Viviano threw a 23 yard pass to Davonte Carter to make it 23-6.  Upper Darby, playing for pride and looking to pull out a third win in an otherwise dismal season, battled back making it 23-20 in the fourth.

The Pioneer's lost the lead for the first time in the game on a fumble by Conestoga's Adam Baynard when Upper Darby's Soncarly Winpea grabbed the ball and ran it for the touchdown, putting Conestoga behind 27-23.

Fighting for a place in the play-offs the Pioneers never gave up and came charging back with a 40 yard Viviano pass to Zach Gregory. That set Conestoga up for a short scoring pass from Viviano to Rily Pritchett to put the Pioneers back on top 30-27.

A missed field goal attempt by Upper Darby in the waning moments, prevented a tie and clinched the win for the Pioneers.

Jubiliation over the win was followed by disappointment over news from other games that were to decide the fate of the Pioneers post-season dreams. Dowingtown West and Neshaminy both won Friday night, knocking Conestoga out of contention for the PIAA AAAA play-offs.

Pioneers Coach John Vogan was philospophical as he talked to the Delaware County Times after the game.

"We finished the season on back-to-back great games," Vogan said, recalling his team's 22-20 win over Haverford a week prior. "The kids are going out feeling good about themselves and that's what it's all about."