Kicker Returns His Own Blocked Field Goal for a Game-Winning Score Against Rival

Plum's Austin Kolanowski alertly scoops up his blocked kick and powers into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown

Plum's C.J. Hart carries the ball during the Mustangs' season-opening win over Franklin Regional in August. The Mustangs won a wild game against rival Penn Hills Friday night to put themselves in position for a WPIAL Class 5A wild card. / Josh Rizzo

Plum kicker Austin Kolanowski was hoping to kick a 24-yard field goal to give his Mustangs a win and a shot at earning a WPIAL Class 5A Wild Card spot.

Instead, he scored the game-winning touchdown.

After his kick was blocked, Kolanowski scooped up the loose ball and was lost in a mass of his teammates and defenders as the pile drifted toward the endzone.

He ended up in the endzone, giving Plum the win as time expired, as shown in the following Tweet.

Plum Powers to playoffs. Austin Kolankowski carries the blocked kick into the end zone for game winning TD as time expires. Mustangs beat Penn Hills 20-14 ⁦@plumboroughsd⁩ ⁦@WTAE⁩ @PatMcAfeeShow⁩ pic.twitter.com/TMFiXLuSv1

— Mike Clark (@mikeclarkWTAE) October 25, 2025

The Mustangs' 20-14 win over Penn Hills was their first over their neighbor since 2014.

Playoffs were at stake

The Indians (3-7, 2-3) could have clinched a playoff spot with a win over Plum.

Had Penn Hills won the game, the Indians would have created a three-way tie for second place with Shaler and North Hills to grab a postseason spot.

Plum (5-5, 2-3) wasn't in a position to earn an auto bid with a win.

Instead, the Mustangs needed to upend Penn Hills and then await the committee's decision.

Penn Hills led at halftime

The Indians built a 14-7 lead at halftime behind touchdowns from Richard Littlejohn and Michael Ford.

Plum tied the game in the third quarter when Cam Wilson caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from John Nonnenberg.

Plum had a wild ride this season

The Mustangs opened the season by winning two of their first three games, then hit a rough patch.

Plum lost four straight games to fall to 2-5. First against Shaler, then Pine-Richland, followed by Penn-Trafford and North Hills.

But Mustangs didn't fold.

Plum beat up on Fox Chapel 35-0 to stop the streak on October 10.

Since then, the Mustangs have fought their way into a three-game winning streak to even their record following the victory over Penn Hills.

Deja Vu for Penn Hills?

This is the second time the Indians lost a game on a last-second field goal they blocked, which ended up being returned for a score against them.

It also happened in 2022 against Central Catholic:

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--Josh Rizzo | rizzo42789@gmail.com | @J_oshrizzo