The Waynesburg Yellow Jackets have lost two games in a row following a 24-14 loss against Grove City this past weekend. The Yellow Jackets are now 2-2 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play.

“I was very pleased with the effort and the outcome,” head coach Cornelius Coleman said. “I thought the young men played inspired football and they played for each other.”

Grove City improved to 2-1 in PAC play and 3-2 overall. They have played both NCAA Division III No. 10 ranked Cortland and No. 2 ranked Mount Union. Coleman believes the effort of the Waynesburg football team against this Grove City team means something.

“They have had the opportunity to play Cortland and Mount Union, so when we have the chance to go up against an opponent of that magnitude and you play that well, I think it shows the development of our program,” Coleman said. 

The Waynesburg defense was outstanding against Grove City, only allowing 10 of the 24 points that Grove City scored. The other 14 Grove City points were scored by the defense and special teams. 

Following a Grove City field goal by Brady Lane in the second quarter, Waynesburg quarterback Luke Hudson was intercepted by Dominic DiNinno, who took it 48 yards to the end zone to make it 10-0 Grove City.

Waynesburg followed the interception with a 12-play, 99-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Carson Shriver with just over a minute remaining in the half.

Waynesburg received the ball to start the second half, driving the ball down to the Grove City 15-yard line until they didn’t pick up a third-and-9. Kicker Drew Pinkerton’s 32-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game was then blocked by Grove City linebacker, Jack Jollie, and returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Noah Wheeler. Grove City led 17-7.

The Yellow Jackets responded with their own fumble recovery for a touchdown following Joanes Polynice’s second strip sack of the game, doing it all himself taking it 48 yards for a touchdown, making it 17-14. 

The Grove City offense scored on their first drive of the fourth quarter, making it 24-14.

Waynesburg had two more possessions, which ended in a missed field goal and an interception, which was too much to overcome as Grove City won 24-14. 

Although the offense looked sharp, Waynesburg lost the turnover battle with Luke Hudson throwing three interceptions. 

Now 2-4 overall and 2-2 in PAC play, the Yellow Jackets have four games remaining this season, starting Saturday when Waynesburg takes on Geneva at John F. Wiley Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.