PAOLI — The Paoli football team has never been more proud of a sloppy win.
On a night better served for ark construction and a field that resembled the Everglades, Paoli scored a decisive two-point conversion after a penalty and held off Providence 8-7 in the Class 2A Sectional 31 semifinal at Cook Field.
Logan Laswell scored a touchdown run and later added the conversion after Providence (6-5) jumped offsides on the ensuing point after touchdown attempt to send the Rams (11-0) to next Friday’s final against Brownstown.
“We’ll take it,” said a mud-soaked Laswell after the victory. “That’s about all you can say about it.”
In a game that featured 11 fumbles, seven turnovers and just two completed passes, Paoli was able to grind its way to its 11th straight victory behind Laswell.
After his team was held scoreless in the opening half, Laswell finally got the Rams into the end zone in the third quarter when he darted in from the 11-yard line to make it 7-6.
Paoli seemed content to attempt a tying extra-point kick until Providence jumped offsides on the ensuing attempt. The Rams then opted to go for two and Laswell ran in the conversion to make it 8-7.
Despite being held to 1-of-6 passing for 14 yards and an interception, the senior did his best Tim Tebow impersonation by battering his way to 94 rushing yards.
Providence held the lead at intermission at 7-0 thanks to one long scoring drive in the second quarter.
Running back Spencer Corrao did yeoman’s work on the only scoring drive of the game for the Pioneers. He carried 12 times, gaining 84 of his team’s 88 yards on the possession before capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
From there though, Providence sputtered offensively. The Pioneers lost three fumbles and threw an interception and twice in the fourth quarter they had drives turned away on fourth down, including a last-ditch attempt at the end zone in the final minute of the game.
With 2:15 remaining in the third, Providence appeared to have a big play negated by an officials’ error.
After a punt, Paoli’s return appeared to be fumbled and recovered by the Providence defense. But the official blew the play dead before the fumble, resulting in a re-kick and giving Paoli possession once again.
Corrao made the error moot, however, as he picked off a pass from Laswell on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Providence drove to the Paoli 35 on the next possession, but a fumble was recovered by the Rams.
PROVIDENCE 0 7 0 0—7
PAOLI 0 0 8 0—8
2nd quarter
Pr — Corrao 5 run (Betz kick), 7:56
3rd quarter
Pa — Laswell 11 run (Nunez kick), 4:41.
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