Tags: District 2, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Jared Samuel | August 24, 2024
A new year and a new season usually means a new opportunity for teams seeking glory. Western Wayne and Susquehanna Community certainly both see things that way. Susquehanna had 5 wins last year with a new head coach and some young players who already have experience, and Western Wayne made it to the District 2 Class 3A championship game last season and also brings a good number of experienced players. When a game goes like this, the team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.
This game was no exception.
Western Wayne took advantage of Susquehanna’s mistakes early and often, winning 42-14 at William Emminger Memorial Field in Lanesboro. The Wildcats’ special teams were particularly effective, blocking a punt that resulted in a touchdown and making several crucial punt returns that gave the offense points.
The Sabres received the opening kick and were pinned deep at their own 12 to begin with. After a quick 3-and-out, the ensuing punt was blocked and returned by DL Vinny Baldini for a TD, giving the Wildcats a quick 7-0 lead with 10:28 left in the 1st quarter. Susquehanna got going, however, and Sophomore QB Weston Yannone helped his team with 2 strong runs on the ground. Yannone capped the drive by hitting WR Joel Decker for a nice 35-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 7:10 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
Towards the end of the 1st quarter, the Wildcats had a sustained offense, carried primarily by running back Josh Vinton. The offense started at midfield and Vinton made 4 straight runs gaining 24 yards to the Sabres 26-yard line. Early in the 2nd quarter, running back Quinn Swartz had a nice 12-yard run and then running back James Jimenez capped the offense with a 14-yard run to score. The PAT missed and Western Wayne led 13-7 with 11:14 left in the half.
Unfortunately, the Sabers were struggling and the Wildcats took full advantage. A deflected pass on the Susquehanna’s next drive became an interception that was returned to the Sabers’ 1-yard line by DB Sean Owens. Vinton then immediately jumped on offense on the next play and the Wildcats were up 20-7 with 10:19 left until halftime.
Western Wayne TD! RB Josh Vinton 1 yard run. 1019 left 1st half:
Western Wayne 20
Susquehanna 8@PaFootballNews @CCHastings1863 @NEPAYinzer_pfn @Teejaypr @sasimagerypfn pic.twitter.com/jgjncQJq5Y– Jared Samuel (@jaredsamuelpfn) 24 August 2024
On the Susquehanna’s next drive, several bad snaps and a few penalties hampered the Sabres, and on the ensuing punt return, Owens again made a huge return to the Sabres’ 11-yard line. Three plays later, Vinton struck again, this time from 5 yards out for his 2nd TD. Vinton also scored on the 2-point conversion, putting the Wildcats up 28-7 with 6:56 left in the half.
Western Wayne TD! Vinton again, from 5 yards. 2 good points from Vinton, also 656 left in the 1st half:
Western Wayne28Boats for sale
Susquehanna 7@PaFootballNews @CCHastings1863 @NEPAYinzer_pfn @Teejaypr @sasimagerypfn pic.twitter.com/Dry8O9d5MO– Jared Samuel (@jaredsamuelpfn) 24 August 2024
The Sabres were desperate to get back in the game, but Yannone got injured on the next drive and RB William Marcy stepped in at quarterback. RB Nathan Oropallo also came in and had some effective runs that got the Sabres to the Western Wayne 33. Unfortunately, Owens intercepted another pass for Western Wayne and two plays later, Wildcat QB John Pyatt hit Owens with a nice screen pass that turned into an 83-yard catch-and-run for another TD. Western Wayne led 35-7 with just 20 seconds left until halftime, effectively sending the game into halftime.
Western Wayne won the coin toss and deferred the ball, giving them the second half kickoff. Starting at their own 35-yard line, wide receiver Vinny Silon ran 45 yards and a very quick drive was capped two plays later when Vinton scored on a hard-fought 14-yard run to make it 42-7 with 10:17 left in the 3rd quarter. After the mercy call was made, the clock continued to run for the rest of the game.
Susquehanna scored again in the 4th quarter when returning Yannone TE Ryken Hobart hit a jump ball pass for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 42-14, but it was too little, too late and the Wildcats emerged victorious.
After the game, I talked to RB Josh Vinton about how the Wildcat line made the difference: “The line just had to keep pushing forward, putting guys in the back and pushing them back so I could see the gaps and get through them and into the secondary.” Vinton had 3 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion in the game.
My post-game interview with RB Josh Vinton of the Western Wayne Wildcats @wayne_western @PaFootballNews @CCHastings1863 @NEPAYinzer_pfn @Teejaypr @sasimagerypfn pic.twitter.com/fiVykjMG7i
— Jared Samuel (@jaredsamuelpfn) 24 August 2024
Next week, Western Wayne heads home to face a strong Lackawanna Trail team, while Susquehanna travels to Montrose.
You can see the photo gallery of the game here: Photo gallery
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