RIMERSBURG — Friday's District 9 Class 1A semifinal came down to Smethport's offense against Union/A-C Valley's defense for one final round.

Trailing by six points, the Hubbers forced a punt and took over at their own 33-yard line with 2:51 left in the game.

A pass interference penalty against the Falcon Knights moved the ball to just shy of midfield, and that's when Union/A-C Valley dropped the hammer on Smethport's hopes of reaching next week's title game.

On first down, Landon Chalmers and Colton Murray combined on a sack of quarterback Noah Lent.

On 3rd-and-12 from the 48, the Falcon Knights' pass rush flushed Lent out of the pocket to his left. As he neared the sideline, he threw a pass that was intercepted by Dawson Camper, sealing a 14-8 victory for Union/A-C Valley at Vidunas Stadium.

“We've counted on our defense to come up with big stops all year,” said Union/A-C Valley coach Brad Dittman. “We were confident that we'd come up with one there.

“We've dropped a ton of interceptions this season, but didn't drop one tonight.”

The Falcon Knights (9-2) picked off three of Lent's passes, while they had just one turnover themselves, prompting Dittman to say: “We won the turnover battle in a tight game.”

But just as important as the play against the pass was the Falcon Knights' stinginess versus the run. Lent averaged 173 yards rushing per game this season, but was bogged down by a spirited effort from the host's front seven.

Before gaining 25 yards on a carry late in the third quarter, Lent had just 22 yards on 11 attempts. He finished the game with 18 carries for 63 yards.

“We were looking for Lent on every play,” said junior defensive lineman Mikey Card. “We knew he was their biggest threat on offense.”

The Falcon Knights will face rival Redbank Valley, which defeated Port Allegany 35-14, in the District 9 championship game at a date, time and site to be determined.

Lent's 25-yard run did spark the Hubbers (8-3) to their lone scoring drive of the game. Six plays after the jaunt, he hooked up with receiver Alex Ognen for a 35-yard scoring pass. Lent added a two-point conversion throw to Brandon Higley and the Hubbers trailed just 14-8 with almost a full quarter to play.

But Union/A-C Valley's defense was done giving up points. On Smethport's next drive, Camper did not allow Ryan Mason to get the corner on a 3rd-and-4 play near midfield, dropping the running back for a 3-yard loss and the Hubbers chose to punt.

“Union/A-C has a great defense and they made plays like great defenses do,” said Smethport coach Adam Jack. “They play a 5-2 and that defense is designed to stop the run.”

“With an athlete like (Lent), he's gonna make some plays, but the key for us was to contain him and we did that,” said Dittman.

The Falcon Knights' ground game was much more consistent than Smethport's and it provided the team's two touchdowns.

Caden Rainey's 5-yard scoring run capped a 13-play, 96-yard drive in the second quarter. Quarterback Bailey Crissman completed just two passes in the game, but one of them went for 53 yards to Ryan Cooper, a huge play on the long march.

In the third quarter, Card scored on a 25-yard run and Murray booted his second extra point for a 14-0 lead.

The Falcon Knights rushed for 187 yards on 47 carries. Card tallied 90 yards on 15 attempts and Camper 77 yards on 14 totes.

Cooper and Brody Dittman joined Camper in intercepting a pass for Union/A-C Valley's defense.

A week after winning the first playoff game since Union and A-C Valley combined forces on the gridiron, the team is now headed to the district title game.

“I've been playing varsity since my freshman year and we'd never gotten past the first round,” said Card. “This is amazing. It's the best feeling.”

“I told the kids before the season that I believed this group could get us over the hump,” Coach Dittman said. “It's very exciting and I'm proud of this team.”

Smethport 0 0 0 8 — 8

Union/ACV 0 7 7 0 — 14

Second Quarter

U/ACV — Caden Rainey 5 run (Colton Murray kick), 3:59

Third Quarter

U/ACV — Mikey Card 25 run (Murray kick), 3:40

Fourth Quarter

S — Alex Ognen 35 pass from Noah Lent (Brandon Higley pass from Lent), 11:51

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Smethport, Ryan Pelchy 5-66, Noah Lent 18-63, Ryan Mason 4-2. Union/A-C Valley, Caden Rainey 7-28, Mikey Card 15-90, Brody Dittman 4-(-15), Dawson Camper 14-77, Bailey Crissman 5-11, TEAM 2-(-4).

Passing: Smethport, Noah Lent 6-16-81-3. Union/A-C Valley, Brody Dittman 1-2-6-0, Bailey Crissman 2-6-58-0.

Receiving: Smethport, Alex Ognen 5-73, Aiden McKean 1-8. Union/A-C Valley, Ryan Cooper 2-59, Skyler Roxbury 1-5.