The Shippensburg Greyhounds 2024 season ended with a 35-24 loss to Conestoga Valley in the PIAA District III 5A playoffs. The Buckskins (11-0) advanced to the semis for a rematch with Exeter Twp (11-1) with their upset win over New Oxford, 24-23.

The Buckskins started the game with Iasiah Sensenig’s 88-yard kickoff return TD just 20 seconds into the contest.

The Hounds had an early answer with an 11-play 59-yard drive using 7:21 of game time.  Ja’Nye Statum opened the drive with a six-yard run, and Mark Carothers Jr. picked up the first with a 10-yard sweep.  Statum’s first down runs of nine and eight set up Jaden Hines three yards for a first and Carothers Jr.’s six-yarder for another first.  Carothers Jr. sprinted for 11 to CV six.  After a five-yard Shippensburg penalty, Hines powered his way for seven to the four.   Carothers Jr. capped the drive with a fourth down one-yard run for the score.  A dead ball penalty after the score moved the PAT back 15 yards, and CV blocked it to hold a 7-6 lead.

CV came right back with an answer a 9 play 60-yard drive using 4:30 minutes of time.  Jayden Johnson capped it with a four-yard run.  A ten-yard holding penalty on the Hound’s next drive forced them to punt, and CV took advantage with a seven-play, 74-yard drive.  Tegan Ruble capped it off with a nine-yard run and a 21-6 lead.

The Hounds tried to answer before the half but had to start at their own 11 after a hold on the return and got to the CV 24 before turning it over on downs.  Brady Maciejewski hit Hines twice on third downs for 16 and 20 to keep the drive alive early, and 15 more on CV moved it to the Buckskins 40.  Carothers Jr. had three runs for a total of 21 yards to pick up a first and overcome another 10-yard Hounds penalty, but the drive stalled, and they went to the half.

Shippensburg opened the second half with a 16-play 74-yard drive, using up 9:23 of game time.  Statum had runs of 10 and 4 for firsts.  Carothers Jr.’s four for another, and on third and long, Maciejewski hit tight end Derek Lynch for 13 and another first.  Maciejewski hit Ayden Estep for 7 on another third down, and Carothers Jr. finished the dive with a nine-yard bolt.

CV answered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped by Sawyer Epenshade’s 30-yard dash.

Shippensburg didn’t go away with a 10-play 60-yard drive, using up just four minutes.  Carothers Jr. capped the drive with a five-yard run.

CV again answered with an eight-play 59-yard drive as Epenshade’s sneak from two yards out to go up 35-18.

A 15-yard penalty after the score moved the kickoff back, and the Hounds took advantage.  Hines filed the line drive kick, got up a head and steam, and outsprinted the Buckskins 79 yards for the last score of the game.

CV outrushed the Hounds 245-209, Carothers Jr. lead all rushers with 111 yards.  Ruble had 91 and Epenshade 81 for CV.  First down 17-16 in the Hounds favor and each team was hit with six penalties.

Statum finished his senior season with 1355 rushing yards and 18 TDs.  Carothers Jr. had 893 and Hines 632 rushing.  Hines was the leading receiver with 18-476.  Maciejewski passed for 796 yards, going 50-83-1 and six TDS. Noah Garvin turned in a fine season on the defensive side with 44 solo tackles, 42 assists with 86 total, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries, all to lead the team.  Bailey and Hines tied with three interceptions and had seven pass breakups.