Palmerton Earns First Win of Season, Extending Wilson Area Losing Streak to 27
Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Cody Brady | September 29, 2024
It’s been two and a half years since Russ Lipari, the voice of Wilson Area athletics has been able to exclaim, “Warriors win!” at a football game. The furious late comeback by Wilson Area nearly snapped the losing streak that dates back to a playoff defeat in November of 2021.
The Warriors forced a late punt and took over on the Palmerton 29 with 1:31 left. The next play, Jeramy Cressman found Leonard Davis wide open over the middle for the touchdown. A successful two point conversion cut the Blue Bombers lead to four and it all came down to an onside kick. Vincent Taglieri added to his impressive offensive performance by falling on the football to seal the 32-28 Palmerton victory.
Palmerton started strong on a soggy day, as their first drive covered 63 yards on nine plays. Their first possession culminated on a 16 yard completion to Alex Keiper from Jameson Trainer and two point conversion pass to Ben Negley. With 5:33 left in the opening quarter, it was 8-0 Palmerton.
Keiper came up big on Wilson’s ensuing drive, racing into the backfield and bringing down Cressman for a loss of 17 yards. That stalled a drive that saw the Warriors get their first first down on a 13 yard run by Markhi Fields.
On Palmerton’s next drive, Trainer scrambled for 37 to burst into Wilson territory. However, a fumble cost them the scoring opportunity and gave Wilson Area a chance to strike back. J’Son Johnson put his team in prime position, rumbling down the far sideline for a pickup of 40 yards. On an eventual 4th & 9 call, though, he came up two yards short, and the Warriors turned it over on downs still trailing 8-0 with 9:53 to play in the half.
Two plays later, Jameson Trainer was in the end zone, exploding through the line and accelerating for an 85 yard touchdown run. Another successful two point conversion extended the lead to 16-0 with 8:51 to go in the half.
Three plays later, following a Logan Anthony sack that backed up Wilson into a third down and long situation, Leonard Davis got behind the secondary for a 67 yard catch and run into the end zone. Fields’ two point run attempt came up short, but Wilson was on the board, down 16-6.
Palmerton was not done in the first half. Vincent Taglieri caught his first touchdown of the night from 19 yards out, capping a ten play drive and increasing the lead to 24-6. Wilson got the ball back with 2:13 to play, but a false start tripped things up. On 4th & 10, Cressman came up short on his scramble, turning the ball over on downs and ending the half.
Palmerton got the ball to open the second half. A holding call backed them up, but Trainer picked up 15 on another scramble, setting up 4th & 1. However, a bad snap caused a loss of two and turnover on downs. Wilson took over on its own 45, but Fields was hit in the backfield by Conner Lawless. From there, the teams exchanged punts.
The Warriors got the ball back on their own 46 and were promptyl flagged for a false start. Two plays later, Zeandros “Z” Johnson rumbled over the left side and down the near sideline for 55 yards to pay dirt. With the deficit now 24-12, head coach Jim Brady called for the onside kick and Cam Thatcher came up with the ball on the Palmerton 32. After a crucial holding call, a 4th & 14 pass fell incomplete and an opportunity went by the wayside.
Palmerton made WIlson pay quickly, as Taglieri caught a pass over the middle around his own 45, and ran the rest of the way as part of a 75 yard touchdown play. Lawless caught the two point pass and Palmerton was back in front comfortably 32-12 nearing the end of the third quarter.
The Warriors fought on. Christian Samayoa caught a deep pass over the middle in the end zone for a 33 yard touchdown, cutting the Palmerton lead. Cressman ran for two points to make it 32-20. After forcing a quick three and out, WIlson took over at midfield and drove into the red zone. However, a fumble on the Bombers 6 would spell disaster late. Palmerton was forced to punt once again and this time the kick was shanked. Wilson took over on the Palmerton 29 and one play later, Leo Davis was in the end zone with a touchdown reception, the final score of the afternoon.
Following the onside kick recovery by Taglieri, Palmerton picked up a first down and salted the game away for the 32-28 victory. On the game, Jameson Trainer ran 19 times for 220 yards and a score. He completed 15 passes for 200 more yards and three touchdowns. Palmerton overcame eleven penalties, including nine on offense. Taglieri finished his day with four catches for 108 yards and two trips into the end zone. Cale Young also contributed with several key receptions, totaling eight catches for 45 yards.
In defeat, Cressman completed eleven throws for 199 yards and 3TDs. Eight completions went to Nickenson Louis Jeune.
The Blue Bombers will look to string together consecutive victories when they host Palisades next Friday night. The Warriors will go on the road at Northern Lehigh.
Find more on this game at LSVSports.com
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