One for the thumb: Wheeler, BG after a 5th 1A state title
Tagged under: District 4, District 6, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Quincy Piper | November 30, 2024
“They’re football guys, they study the film. We’ve got a great group of coaches. We’re just going to get prepared and enjoy the ride,” said Bishop Guilfoyle head coach Josh Wheeler after his team’s 21-6 victory over Muncy at Lock Haven’s Hubert Jack Stadium.
Football is a game of sequences. A few well-executed plays here, a few unlucky bounces there—those moments are what define the outcome of a 48-minute game. Unfortunately for Muncy, it was the latter that dominated Friday night, as Bishop Guilfoyle capitalized on several key mistakes to secure the win.
From the opening whistle, Bishop Guilfoyle seemed intent on one mission: getting the ball into the hands of Hamilton Gates and letting him work his magic. The Marauders marched down the field with ease, primarily relying on Gates’ strong running. Quarterback Chase Kissel capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Braden Reilly (PAT good, 5:43 1st), giving BG an early 7-0 lead.
Muncy answered with a promising drive of their own, reaching deep into Bishop Guilfoyle territory after a long run by Austin Johnson. However, disaster struck for the Indians when they fumbled two plays later, handing the ball back to the Marauders.
Bishop Guilfoyle capitalized on the turnover, taking nearly four minutes off the clock to open the second quarter. The drive ended with a 26-yard pass from Kissel to Hamilton Gates, who then powered into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run (PAT good, 14-0, 8:27 2nd). Muncy’s struggles continued, as they turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert a 4th-and-4 situation on their next possession.
With the ball back in their hands, the Marauders wasted no time. Tauren Consiglio picked up three yards on first down, and then Kissel hit Gates with a 71-yard bomb for another touchdown (PAT good, 21-0, 4:38 2nd). Muncy had a chance to respond late in the half, starting with a short field and 57 seconds left on the clock. Two plays later, Austin Johnson broke free for a 13-yard touchdown run, putting the Indians on the board (21-6, 0:45 2nd).
After a first half that saw him rush for 161 yards, Johnson and the Muncy offense were largely neutralized in the second half. Despite some promising drives into Bishop Guilfoyle territory, the Indians couldn’t find the end zone again. BG’s defense tightened up, and the offense ran out the clock to preserve the 21-6 victory.
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