Game Summary: There was a bittersweet feeling to the Wyoming Area 21-7 victory over Pittston Area on Friday night. On the one hand, it was satisfying for the Warriors to beat the Patriots after losing the last two years. On the other hand it was disappointing that Wyoming Area didn’t play a particularly great game. Maybe it was all the excitement of the week—the bonfire and the pep rally. Or maybe we should just give credit to the Pittston defense. At any rate, it was ugly. But as we said after another ugly win over Western Wayne in the season opener—a win is a win.
First, let’s give the Warriors credit for playing good defense. Pittston Area played most of the game pinned deep in their own territory and managed only 102 yards rushing. In addition, the Warriors recovered four fumbles and Larry Popovich had an acrobatic interception to start the second half. A Tim Somers blocked punt turned into an Eric Eramo touchdown. The Patriots scored on a 35 yard pass play midway through the fourth quarter, but by that time, the outcome had already been decided.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Warriors could only generate 7 first downs and 200 total yards of offense (both exceeded by Pittston Area). The Warriors didn’t have a first down in the first quarter, even after Pittston turned over the ball repeatedly. Nick O’Brien took most of the snaps at QB, and Chris Murphy worked from running back and receiver. The new alignment really didn’t seem to bother the Pittston defense as the Warriors could not move the ball consistently for most of the night. Nick O’Brien did carry the ball 18 times for 118 yards—but that was really the extent of the Warrior offense. O’Brien scored on a tough 9 yard run in the second quarter, and was on the receiving end of a 12 yard pass from Chris Murphy with 10 seconds left in the first half.
Tim Somers blocked a Pittston Area punt in the Patriots end zone midway through the third quarter. Eric Eramo scooped up the ball and scampered into the end zone with a six yard punt return to cap off the scoring for the Warriors. Pittston Area scored its only touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a 35 yard pass from RJ Emmett to Evan Hahn. Katie Scalzo was perfect on her extra point kicks for the night.
Sometimes you have to win ugly—what people will remember in the long run is that the Warriors beat the Patriots 21-7 in 2010.
NEXT UP: It looks like the Warriors will play Hanover AT Hanover next Friday Night in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. |
