POCONO SUMMIT — The moment looked eerily familiar.

Nearly three years to the day — Oct. 21, 2022 — Pleasant Valley stood on its own goal line against Pocono Mountain West, protecting a one-score lead and clinging to belief. The Bears came up with a fourth-down stop — and a season-defining drive that followed.

On Friday night, history repeated itself.

Pleasant Valley’s defense denied the Panthers on fourth-and-1 from the 4-yard line with 9:21 remaining and the score tied 21-21. Moments later, the Bears embarked on a 96-yard march that consumed nearly seven minutes before Chris Ward broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run with 2:21 left, sealing a 28-21 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference victory.

The win was as cathartic as it was crucial. Coming off a 28-0 loss to rival Pocono Mountain East, Pleasant Valley (4-5) rediscovered its toughness and resolve — qualities that have defined its turnaround after an 0-11 campaign a season ago.

“This isn’t a statement about anything other than them being exactly who I thought they were,” said head coach Blaec Saeger, his voice filled with emotion. “My kids — the most resilient group I’ve ever coached. No matter how much they get beat down, they keep going. All week they just kept fighting and fighting. They have no quit.”

West (5-4) appeared poised to take control early in the fourth quarter, driving to the Bears’ 13 before facing fourth-and-1 from the 4. The Panthers handed the ball to Christian Stiehler, who had already scored twice, but Pleasant Valley’s defensive front surged to make the stop.

That goal-line stand galvanized the Bears — and shifted the tone of the night.

“That was a need-to stop,” said Ajani Wheeler. “You’ve got to man up and make the big play. Without that play, the game probably has a different outcome. Defense, the sideline intensity — it got us ramped up and ready to make that play for the big stop.”

The ensuing drive was as methodical as it was defining. Pleasant Valley converted twice on third down and once on fourth before Ward’s run put the Bears back in front.

“We’re always confident we can make a play,” said Wheeler, who delivered a key block on Ward’s touchdown run. “One play at a time, one drive at a time. Move the ball, get the first down, and we go on to the next play. Hopefully we pop one big, but we just keep moving and having fun.”

Quarterback Jaxson Haines credited the line and his teammates for the execution that made the drive possible.

“That’s what we talk about in practice — waiting for those big moments,” Haines said. “We were prepared for it all week, all season. I just give credit to the O-line, the running backs, and Ajani with a great block on that touchdown run.”

West had one final chance, but Pleasant Valley’s defense held firm again, forcing a turnover on downs before two kneel-downs ended it.

The Panthers struck first when Stiehler stripped the ball near midfield and returned it 52 yards for a score to make it 7-0 in the opening quarter. Pleasant Valley responded with a 75-yard drive capped by Isaac Westerman’s four-yard touchdown run to tie it.

After stopping a fake punt, the Bears needed just four plays to go ahead, with Niko Payan racing 41 yards on a pitch from Haines for a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.

West answered quickly when Curtis Sipler found Brady Behr for a 35-yard score, though the extra point was blocked to leave Pleasant Valley ahead 14-13.

A 95-yard kickoff return by Ward was wiped out by penalty, but the Bears stayed on the attack, driving 87 yards on eight plays and finishing with a 15-yard Marcelus Solt touchdown run to go up 21-13.

West tied it early in the third when Stiehler broke tackles for a 52-yard score, adding the two-point conversion to make it 21-21 — setting the stage for the dramatic final quarter.

“It’s huge, man,” Saeger said. “From last year — going from worst, with the potential to be first. If we beat Stroudsburg next week, we could be in a three-way tie for a championship. Who would have thought that a year ago?”

For Saeger and his players, Friday’s victory was about far more than the scoreboard. It was proof of growth, grit, and belief.

“You can never count us out, no matter how bad things are going,” Wheeler said. “We’re always in the game, and we keep working. The boys love to work. No matter what happens, we always come back.”

The Bears will host Stroudsburg next week with a chance to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds in program history — and, fittingly, they’ll do it with the same identity that’s carried them this far.

“It’s a good momentum swing,” Wheeler said. “Forget about last week and move on to the next. We’ve got a big game coming up, and we’re going to come to practice even harder.”

“It’s not going to be easy — but we just have to go out and show it on Friday,” added Haines.

UP NEXT … Pleasant Valley hosts Stroudsburg (5-4) next Friday; Pocono Mountain West visits Pocono Mountain East (6-3).

BIG STOP … The Bears came up with another stand before the end of the first half, getting a sack on third-and-10 with under 45 seconds on the clock and the Panthers driving at PV’s 34-yard line. The play resulted in a fumble, which was recovered by Brad Serfass and kept the game at 21-13 before the intermission.

Pleasant Valley 28, PM West 21

Pleasant Valley 7 14 0 7 - 28

PM West 7 6 8 0 - 21

PMW - C. Stiehler 52 fumble return (Lawrence kick)

PV - Westerman 4 run (Duran kick)

PV - Payan 41 run (Duran kick)

PMW - Behr 35 pass from Sipler (kick failed)

PV - Solt 15 run (Duran kick)

PMW - C. Stiehler 52 run (C. Stiehler run)

PV - Ward 29 run (Duran kick)