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A game of inches, Wyoming Area outlasts Lakeland 35-32

Tagged under: District 2, Gameday Hub, pfn

| November 13, 2021

It was like déjà vu at Jake Sobeski Stadium in Exeter. All fans can think of was how 8 weeks prior the Warriors were in the same spot at the same time facing a goal-line stop to win the game. This time the Warriors got the stop they needed and defeated Lakeland 35-32,  in a game that will be talked about forever.

The Chiefs received the opening kickoff from their own 26-yard line and immediately went to work with their signature Ariel attack. The Chiefs would march downfield led by quarterback Dominco Spataro who hit the duo Nick Mancuso and Kevin Synder several times before Evan Pochas 15-yard run would set up Dominco Spataro for the 1-yard touchdown run just a play later, the extra point was good and with 8:58 on the clock and the Chiefs led 7-0. It wouldn’t take long for the Warriors to respond back on their opening drive, as it only took them four plays to find the end zone  Nico Sciandra ran it from 17 yards out with 7:16 on the clock the extra point was good, and we were tied  7-7. The Chiefs would keep the trend of fast scoring going, as on the ensuing kickoff Nick Mancuso return the kickoff 86 yards to the Wyoming Area 14-yard line.  Dominico Spataro would connect with Kevin Synder for the 14-yard touchdown on the very next play, the extra point was no good with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter, the Chiefs led 13-7. Before the Chiefs could stop celebrating the Warriors were already in the end zone on the ensuing kickoff. Rocco Pizano return the kickoff for an 88-yard touchdown, the extra point was no good and the first quarter came to a close tied 13-13.

The Chiefs came out in the second quarter firing on all cylinders and in less than 2 minutes into the quarter, the Chiefs would find the end zone when Spataro would connect with Kevin Synder for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, and with 11:23 the Chiefs led 19-13. The Warriors would bounce back with a score of their own late in the quarter when Aaron Crossley found the end zone from 5 yards out with 5:45 left giving the Warriors the 20-19 lead. Just as the warriors thought they were heading into the half with the lead the Chiefs had other plans. Spataro would lead the Chiefs all the way downfield and with 1:48 left in the second half, Spataro ran it in from 11 yards giving the Chiefs the 25-20 lead going into the locker room at halftime.

The trend of the quick scores would continue into the third as just 2 minutes in quarterback Blaise-Sokach-Minnick would connect with Usamah Alansari for a 67-yard touchdown. Aaron Crossley would run in the 2 point conversion and with 10:53 left in the quarter, the Warriors led 28-25. The Chiefs would respond 3 minutes later when Domnico Spataro connected with Jon Seaman for a 24-yard touchdown pass that made the score Lakeland 32, Wyoming Area 28 as we headed into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a dog fight as both teams’ defense finally showed up and got stops in the red zone. The Warriors would strike again when Sokach-Minnick connected with Usamah Alansari for a 51-yard touchdown giving the Warriors a 35-32 lead with 7:01 left in the quarter. With 3.09 left to play in the game, the Warriors needed a first down to seal it, but the Chiefs held on fourth down giving them the ball at the Chiefs’ 30. The Chiefs were marching downfield and on fourth down with 1:48 left to play Spataro’s pass was intercepted by John Morgan which appeared to seal the deal,  but the Chiefs defense would force the Warriors to punt giving them the ball with 1:28 left. The Chiefs would march downfield to the Wyoming Area 7-yard line. That’s when the decision came to go for it on fourth and one,  passing up the field goal for the tie. Spataro’s pass on fourth down intended for Nick Mancuso was just out of reach, and the Warriors held. The Warriors took possession and genuflected to victory.

Wyoming Area (10-1) will play host to Scranton Prep (10-0) while Lakeland ended its season (10-2)

Stat leaders 

Passing Blaise-Sokack Minnick WA 7-18 201 yards 2 touchdowns

Dominico Spataro LAK 22-37 227 yards 3 touchdowns

Rushing Aaron Crossley WA 18 carries 90 yards 1 touchdown

Dominico Spataro 18 carries 68 yards 2 touchdowns

Receiving Usamah Alansari WA 4 receptions 164 yards 2 touchdowns

                   Kevin Synder LAK 7 receptions 114 yards 2 touchdowns 

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