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Passing the test: Williams Valley outduels Minersville to advance to championship clash

Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 9, 2025

First quarter outburst clinches spot in District XI 2A championship showdown.

WILLIAMSTOWN- The Williams Valley Vikings made a statement early and often, that they were more than ready to punch their tickets in the PIAA District XI 2A championship game. The home team scored the first 21 points of the contest, en route to a convincing 56-35 victory over Minersville at Stauffenberg Field Saturday night before a packed house Saturday night.

With the win the Vikings (11-1) advance to meet Schuylkill Haven with a spot in the state playoffs at stake next Friday night at Blue Mountain High School. The Hurricanes overwhelmed Northern Lehigh 60-7, to stay unbeaten at 12-0.

Williams Valley scored on their first play from scrimmage as Fletcher Thompson took a swing pass out in the flat from Brady Shomper and raced down the home sidelines for a 74 yard score for a 7-0 lead just 20 seconds in the game.

Minersville opening drive ended with a turnover-on-downs, after the Vikings defense forced a couple of Battlin’ Miners incomplete passes.

Shomper then drove his squad down field to the Minersville 28, from there he connected with Colin Crisswell in the end zone, in single-coverage, for another score increasing the lead to 14-0 with 4:00 on the clock in the quarter.


With a minute left still in the opening quarter, Shomper completed the hat trick, by tossing his third touchdown, to yet another receiver, Evan Achenback, who took the screen pass 25 yards to the end zone making the score 21-0.

Williams Valley was driving again deep into Minersville territory when a fumble was recovered by the Miners at their own 14 yard line. An 86 yard drive ensued that ended with a one yard score by quarterback Dante Carr making the score 21-7 with 3:41 left before halftime.

It only took one play to make it a three scores game again as Thompson busted up the middle for an 80 yard scoring run to make it 28-7 in just 13 seconds taken off the clock.

The Vikings were determined to put this game out of reach before going into the locker room, as they recovered an onside kick at the 42. Running back Travon Bair cashed in from two yards out making a the score 35-7 with six seconds left in the half

“We were able to slow down (Dante Carr) for awhile,but he is too good of an athlete to stop.” Coach Ben Ancheff of Williams Valley stated after the game.

The second half’s opening drive proved that as Carr led his team to a 70 yard drive as Derek Derenzo scored from six yards out making it a 35-14 deficit.

Seemed like every time Minersville would gain a little momentum, Williams Valley had an answer. Thompson scored again from two yards out making a it a four score lead.

Carr used his legs the next time the Battlin’ Miners had the ball as he picked a large chunk of yard on a 43 yard burst capped off by a 5 yard touchdown pass to Matthew Dube for a 42-21 score with 3:43 left in the third quarter.

Again, though it was Thompson adding to the Vikings lead as he would score from 16 yards out making a the score 49-21 with still a minute left in the third stanza. Thompson ran for 211 yards yards in the contest and three touchdowns.

The Minersville defense held the Vikings on downs to start the final twelve minutes. Carr then found Ty Atkinson with a one-yard jump pass making it 49-28 with 7:41 left in the contest.

Shomper the threw another touchdown pass to Blazer Lords from five yards out and a 56-28 score. Shamper threw for nearly 200 yards on the night.

There was no quit though in the Minersville sidelines as Carr would find Derenzo behind the Viking defense for a 65 yard pass making the score 56-35 with 3:45 left.

Williams Valley closed out the game by running out the clock with under three minutes left to advance in the playoffs

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