LEWISTOWN — With the weather quickly shifting to Fall-like conditions, the Midgets division of the Central Keystone Youth Football and Cheer League (CKYFCL) saw a pair of defensive battles take place on Wednesday evening.

BURNHAM 14 – KISH-SOUTH 12

BURNHAM — Burnham used a defensive score in the form of a safety and a pair of Connor Rose touchdown runs to come from behind for a hard-fought 14-12 victory on Wednesday evening against the visiting Kish-South Indians.

The first-quarter safety was the lone score of the opening frame as the host Bulldogs held a slim 2-0 edge as the game shifted to the second frame.

Burnham added to its lead in the second quarter when Rose powered his way into the end zone on a 10-yard scamper to extend the Bulldogs advantage to 8-0.

Kish-South responded in a big way in the closing minutes of the second quarter to take a lead into the locker room. Easton Trutt connected with Chase Yoder on a 55-yard pitch-and-catch to trim the Bulldogs lead to 8-6 with 2:45 to play in the first half.

Following a short Burnham drive, Kish-South struck again to take a 12-8 lead to the intermission. Trutt again found Yoder, this time on a 14-yard pattern to give the Indians the lead at the break.

Rose found the end zone again midway through the third quarter to put Burnham back in front for good. The youngster punched it in from the goal line to push the host Bulldogs out to a 14-12 advantage with 6:49 to play in the third frame.

The defensive battle continued in the fourth quarter with both teams being held off the scoreboard as Burnham held on for a 14-12 victory.

Knox Wagner and Paxton Snook each led the Kish defense with six tackles each. Asher Werner and Emmitt Bishop chipped in four stops apiece in the loss.

Burnham is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 7 when it hosts McVeytown for a 3:00 p.m. showdown. Kish-South returns to the gridiron on Wednesday, September 10 when it plays host to Terrace. Kickoff with the Tigers is set for 5:30 p.m.

KISH-NORTH 6 – MCVEYTOWN 0

REEDSVILLE — In a midweek clash of two teams that were no strangers to each other, Kish-North faced off against the McVeytown Eagles and reigned supreme by a 6-0 tally.

Both teams battled to a scoreless tie at the intermission as a defensive battle ensued. Kish-north was able to move the ball in the first quarter inside of the redzone on a Wyatt Hassinger run before McVeytown slammed the door.

The visiting Eagles returned the favor as the game approached the halftime break. McVeytown found some daylight in the Kish defensive unit and inched inside the redzone before a Kish-North stand on 4th down kept the game at a 0-0 deadlock at the half.

Following a promising McVeytown drive to open the third frame, the Indians defense forced an Eagles punt before the offense went to work. The Kish-North offense used the legs of Duke Peachey, Wyatt Hassinger, Julian Altiery, Jace Atherton to march inside the red zone once again before striking pay dirt.

Peachey took the next snap around the left side and finally found some daylight which would prove to be the games only offensive score with 8:59 to play in the third quarter. Kish-North was unable to convert the extra point leaving the score at a 6-0 Indians advantage.

Action moved to the fourth quarter when Kish-North pinned the Eagles at their own 1 yard line as the clock ticked late in the contest. With their backs against the goal line, McVeytown threw a late-game interception into the waiting arms of Peachey as Kish-North was able to secure a hard-fought, 6-0 victory.

Kish-North returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 7 when it plays host to Juniata for a 3 p.m. affair with the Little Indians, while McVeytown travels to Burnham for a 3 p.m. matchup with the Bulldogs.