HS FOOTBALL: Schmidt sparks Abington Heights' win over Western Wayne

Sep. 16—CLARKS SUMMIT — Abington Heights looks like it is back with a vengeance.

After a few tough years and a buildback from a lost season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fifth-ranked Comets took another step forward.

Kevin Schmidt scored two touchdowns on receptions, ran for a score, and added a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to lead Abington Heights to a 34-14 win over Western Wayne in a nonconference football game on a sun-filled late-summer afternoon at Comets Stadium.

"This feels great," Schmidt said. "We have really built the program up. The seniors really stepped up with great leadership. We have a lot of underclassmen who want to work hard. We are making each other better every day."

Abington Heights, a program that won nine District 2 championships from 1998 to 2016, had a record of 11-43 in the last five seasons played. The Comets did not field a team in 2020 when the administration canceled all contact sports that fall due to the pandemic.

By defeating Western Wayne, the Comets have equaled their regular-season total of wins from last year and improved to 3-1 overall.

Nick Bradley, an NCAA Division I baseball recruit who is committed to Auburn, is a strong-armed sophomore quarterback for an offense that is in rhythm. He showed off his snap and quick release while completing 12 of 15 attempts for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

This season, Bradley has thrown for 709 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"Talking with (offensive) coach (Greg) Justave, we are going over reading coverages and looking for what should be open," Bradley said. "It is really easy for me with our receivers. They are so good. I just have to get the ball in their hands, and they are going to make plays."

Abington Heights also used a clock-chewing ground game that thrived behind a physical effort from the offensive line. Anthony Curra led the way with 69 yards rushing and a 2-yard touchdown.

Defensively, Austin Boersma, Asiel Richards, and sophomore Gavin Anders, who had an interception, limited Western Wayne to 202 total yards, which included 53 on the ground in 23 carries.

Josh Vinton had 45 yards rushing and a touchdown, and quarterback Frankie Leyshon had 149 yards passing and a score for the Wildcats, who fell to 2-2 overall.

"What you see in our 11 is what we have, and at a small school, they are playing offense, defense, and special teams, and when you are playing bigger schools, it can be tough," Western Wayne coach Shane Grodack said.

Abington Heights and its prolofic passing attack went right to work. Schmidt capped the team's opening drive with a 23-yard scoring reception for a 7-0 lead at 3:39 of the first quarter.

Western Wayne responded as Sean Owens, who finished with six receptions for 70 yards, hauled in a 14-yard pass to set up a Vinton 4-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7-7 with 11:19 left in what would be part of a scoring frenzy in the second quarter.

Bradley had two runs of 10 yards each and hit Mason Fedor for 10 yards and Schmidt for 11, which led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Curra and a 14-7 lead for the Comets at 5:48.

Abington Heights got right back on the move after Anders stepped in front of a Leyshon pass for an interception.

"Our defense did really well," Anders said. "I read run, but I got right back to my zone, and I saw the receiver run an out, and I went after the ball and got it. Everyone was happy and cheering, and we got excited."

Two plays later, Bradley found Schmidt open for a 46-yard touchdown and a 20-7 lead.

"This feels so good," Bradley said. "Everyone has put in so much hard work. When you see big plays happening, that sets the tone for the game and brings confidence to everybody on the team."

Again, Western Wayne answered when Leyshon dropped in a 24-yard pass to Ethan Grodack, who made a fingertip, toe-tapping catch in the corner of the end zone to make it 20-14 with 1:08 left in the half.

Schmidt struck right back by darting through an opening and sprinting for a 99-yard touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.

"We just stay up this year," Schmidt said. "I think last year, I felt like we would hang our heads when a team had a big play or a long drive. This year, we don't. We know how to respond.

"I saw open space on the kickoff and got great blocks from my boys."

Abington Heights came out in the second half, and Bradley looked even sharper. He found Fedor for 10 and 14 yards, and Schmidt for 13 yards. Then, Schmidt took a handoff and ran 17 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game and a 34-14 lead.

Later, the Comets threatened for another score, but Western Wayne forced a turnover. Abington Heights' defense denied the Wildcats, who reached the 29, but could not score, failing on a fourth and 11.

The stop led to Abington Heights turning the game over to some reserves, who marched to the Western Wayne 5. The Comets eventually turned the ball over on downs, but the drive took 9 minutes off the clock to secure their third straight win.

"This is a good start," Schmidt said. "Especially with how our last few seasons have gone."

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @sportsTT on Twitter