Wilson knocks off Defending District Champs Central York in a Classic

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News

Carl Frederick | November 13, 2021

Head Coach Doug Dahms with his squad after their thrilling victory

The Wilson Bulldogs (8-3) knocked off the defending District 3 6A Champion Central York Panthers 14-11 in an instant classic. Sophomore Ben Rada kicked a 21 yard field goal with a 1:13 left and Panthers kicker Matthew Parker just missed a 32 yarder with 1 second left and the Bulldogs advanced to the District 3 6A championship game next weekend. “That was our first and second field goals we have attempted all year” Head Coach Doug Dahms said “Our entire defensive staff did a heck of a job”.

Neither team could get much going in the first quarter, with both defenses coming to play the score remained 0-0 after the first. Jadyn Jones and Brad Hoffman (167 yards rushing) as they have done throughout this 7 game winning streak for the Bulldogs got things going early in the second quarter. They stalled at the Panthers 14 yard line and Rada kicked his first field goal of the season making it 3-0 Wilson.

Beau Pribula and company came right back getting as close to the Bulldogs 12 when Freshman Matthew Parker nailed a 29 yard field goal (3-3). The Panthers who were playing without star linebacker Carter Glassmyer were able to stop Hoffman on 4th and 2 deep in their own territory. The score remained 3-3 at halftime.

The third quarter began with Wilson pounding the ball up the field again, but Jones (27 carries 161 yards) fumbled inside the Central York 10 and Trenton Dunnick recovered the ball at the 6. Pribula who was as advertised tonight (20-33, 308 yards 1 TD, 1 INT) got things moving with a dart Treyshawn Smith for a 67 yard pass down to the Bulldogs 16. After a holding penalty Pribula found Imeire Manigualt (8 receptions 101 yards) wide open for a 26 yard touchdown pass. Wilson was off-sides on the extra point try, so the Penn State Commit rushed in for the two point conversation making it 11-3 Central York.

On the next drive after Hoffman on a 4th and 16 fake punt appeared to find his target but the pass fell through the receivers hands. The momentum seemed to be favoring the reigning District Champions when Pribula was picked off on a diving interception by Gannon Brubaker at the 13 yard line. Wilson behind Jones and Hoffman (who else) marched up the field with a big play coming from a 41 yard scamper by Hoffman to the Central York 5 yard line. Two plays later the Senior Quarterback took it in from the 2 yard line for the score, the two point try saw Hoffman complete only his 8th pass of the evening “a little slip play, Denton (Senior Tight End Sean Denton) got open, I completed the pass that was big” an exhausted Hoffman (3-7 for 37 yards passing) said “We knew when we were 2-3 we had to dig down deep and figure out what we had to do”.

After a rare three and out by Central York, Wilson marched 61 yards on 13 plays churning 6 minutes and 1 second off the clock and settled on another Rada field goal (14-11). Pribula with a little over a minute to go drove the Panthers to the Bulldogs 15 yard, which included a 4th and 16 conversion. 5 seconds remained and with no timeouts left Central York brought on Freshman kicker Matthew Parker again and his kick sailed wide left, ballgame!

Wilson will now await the winner of the Harrisburg/Hempfield clash tomorrow to determine who they play. Jones and company are ready regardless of who they have to face “It doesn’t matter” Jones said “Will take on whoever we are ready”.

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