DANVILLE —
Mount Carmel had just taken the lead with 31 seconds left in the first half and, according to Danville quarterback Weston Baylor, the Ironmen were not planning to do anything other than take that score into halftime.
But a Mount Carmel squib kickoff changed that thinking, and possibly changed the direction of Friday night’s District 4 Class AA championship game.
Cory Langton’s kick went to the Danville 31 and Evan Tanner returned it to the Ironmen 39.
Baylor picked up 10 yards and then 14 on keepers, then made the play that Danville fans will long remember. About to be sacked, the junior sidestepped a tackler and heaved a perfect pass to senior wide receiver Bret Berg for a 35-yard touchdown and a tie game.
It was the first of three TD passes by Baylor as Danville got a wild 28-21 victory and a date in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals next week versus unbeaten Wyomissing. it was Danville's first district championship since 1999.
Berg was modest about what the Ironmen faithful will remember as a remarkable catch. He ran an out-and-up, leaped and caught the ball in double coverage at the 2-yard line and stepped into the end zone as the defensive backs lay on the ground.
Sports
H.S. football: Danville wins first district title since 1999
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Motorsports: Clear as a Bell
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Shawn Wood's motorsports column: Sights and sounds of Indy
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Area motorsports notebook: Ray Tilley Classic set for Sunday at Selinsgrove
Selinsgrove Speedway will honor the memory of one of Pennsylvania's greatest open-wheel drivers on Sunday with the 30-lap Ray Tilley Classic for the 410 sprint cars at 7.
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H.S. softball: Greenwood tops UDA, returns to District 3 final
As soon as Greenwood second baseman Bree Pagen fielded Autumn Walker's grounder and flipped it to first base, the entire Wildcats team began screaming and smiling as they engulfed pitcher Brooke Louden near the first-base line.
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Jon Gerardi's high school softball column: State berths just aren't fair
Like many folks, I got pretty excited when they released the District 4 softball playoff brackets. It's always fun when they get released. It's like a mini, local version of "Selection Sunday" for March Madness.
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H.S. boys track: Despite hamstring injury, Shamokin sprinter claims gold at districts
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Harold Raker's column on track and field: Look out below
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H.S. softball: Jon Gerardi's predictions for the district field
By Jon Gerardi The Daily Item With the first two "play-in" games officially in the books -- Wyalusing 12-2 over CMVT in 6 innings and Towanda 5-4 over Wellsboro -- the District 4 Class AA playoffs are ready to get into full swing.
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Harold Raker's column on track and field: Look out below
The event drew its share of chuckles and the participants became the target of some good-natured ribbing. It was the final dual meet of the season and Selinsgrove boys coach Ryan McGuire finally relented and allowed his throwers to have some fun at their own expense.
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Bob Garrett's talking points: Free fishing this Memorial Day
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H.S. softball: Jon Gerardi's predictions for the district field
By Jon Gerardi The Daily Item With the first two "play-in" games officially in the books -- Wyalusing 12-2 over CMVT in 6 innings and Towanda 5-4 over Wellsboro -- the District 4 Class AA playoffs are ready to get into full swing.
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Drive through our new 'Fast Lanes' auto racing website
A big Memorial Day weekend of racing is on tap this week.
Click Here to see our new "Fast Lanes" auto racing website, packed with racing news, photos, standings, schedules and much more.
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H.S. girls lacrosse: Lewisburg routs Danville for district championship
By Anthony Mitchell For The Daily Item MIDDLEBURG -- Danville was making its first appearance in the district final. The Ironmen reached it by outlasting Selinsgrove in the semifinals and were looking to play the role of the popular, new kid and knock off Lewisburg, a perennial title contender.
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H.S. boys lacrosse: Selinsgrove stays undefeteatd in District 4 title win
By Anthony Mitchell For The Daily Item MIDDLEBURG " Selinsgrove coach Tom Garlock mentioned after the Seals' semifinal victory against Mifflinburg last Thursday that a celebration would start with a win on Tuesday over Lewisburg.
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H.S. girls track: Selinsgrove junior manages injuries to earn PIAA berth
By Todd Hummel For The Daily Item SELINSGROVE -- Junior Brianna Carnathan took a deep breath on Tuesday afternoon at Harold L. Bolig Memorial Field and began to talk about the different injuries that have hindered her since last year.
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H.S. baseball: Early scoring helps Southern Columbia win playoff opener
By Marion Valanoski For The Daily Item CATAWISSA -- Matt Perry knew very little about the Southern Columbia baseball team heading into Tuesday's District 4 Class A baseball playoff opener. The Mansfield head coach was concerned after watching the host team during batting practice about the small field and the shifting wind currents.
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Motorsports: Clear as a Bell
