GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel Tomcats lost a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contest Saturday to the Bethany Bison, 20-0.
 
The Bison took the lead with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter when Joseph Fiasco scored on a 1-yard run to cap off a 5-play drive that covered 42 yards. Fiasco's touchdown represented the only points scored in the first half.
 
On the ensuing drive, Thiel reached its own 48-yard line but the drive came to a halt on a fumble. The Tomcats also reached the Bison 47-yard line late in the second quarter but could not convert a third-and-10 play to keep the drive alive. Thiel also had an opportunity to score with 25 seconds left in the first half. Starting at the Bethany 36-yard line, however, quarterback Damon Smith (South Park, Pa./South Park) was sacked for a 12-yard loss on first down, and the half ended with Thiel trailing, 6-0.
 
Fiasco extended the Bison lead to 13-0 with 4:56 left in the third quarter when he scored on a 3-yard run to put the finishing touches on a 6-play drive that took two minutes, 14 seconds and covered 55 yards.
 
Bethany's final score occurred early in the fourth quarter when Dom Salinetro threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Darius Taylor.
 
Nick Barca (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) paced Thiel with 57 yards rushing on 20 carries. Smith added 32 yards on 13 totes. Smith also completed 9-of-22 passes for 54 yards.
 
Bethany's Byron Mayers ran for 66 yards on 17 carries. Carlin Bason recorded 54 yards on 13 totes. Salinetro completed 3-of-4 passes for 60 yards with one touchdown pass.
 
Linebacker Dusty Maines (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield) led the Tomcats with nine tackles. Defensive Cody Wagner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) recorded eight tackles, four of which were behind the line of scrimmage. Wagner also recorded a pair of sacks. Linebacker Matt Crawford (Greenville, Pa./Greenville) recorded six tackles, notched three quarterback hurries and forced a pair of fumbles.
 
Chas Blango led Bethany with eight tackles and a pair of sacks. Bryan Juarez and Jacob Nace each intercepted a pass.
 
Thiel recognized 10 seniors prior to Saturday's game, including: Braden Baideme (Butler, Pa./Cambridge Springs), Barca, Dalton DuBrosky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), Maines, Camren Neal (Harrisville, Pa./Slippery Rock), David Pugh (Hollywood, Fla./Christopher Columbus), Jaime Sommers (Erie, Pa./Seneca), Brody Suter (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union), Wagner and Josh Zinsmeister (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin).
 
The Tomcats will conclude the 2018 season Saturday when they face the Grove City Wolverines on the road in the 35^th battle for the Mercer County Cup. The PAC game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at Robert E. Thorn Field.