Wilmington rolls to easy 26-6 win over Steel Valley to get back to state championship

Tagged under: District 10, District 7, News

Pa Football News | December 1, 2018

Hounds Heading to Hershey Photo Darnell Graham Click for Gallery

AJ Shaffer

The Big story of this game was the dominating defense by Wilmington. Coming into the game they allowed nearly an average of 2 touchdowns per game. Steel Valley got the ball to start the game and they went three and out.

Wilmington got the ball with just under 10 minutes in the first quarter. They had great field position starting at the Steel Valley 47 yard line. After a first down run by Cameron Marett they were at the 23 yard line. A couple of plays later Ethan Susen scored on a 12 yard run to make the score 6-0 Wilmington with 7:20 in the first quarter.

After a second three and out, Wilmington got the ball back. They also went three and out and on the punt return Steel Valley’s Eshawn Carter returned it 71 yards to the house to tie the ballgame at six.

Eshawn Johnson heading for the endzone Photo Darnell Graham

Wilmington eventually answered on the following drive. The drive started at their own 12 yard line and it was a long drive. A key play on the drive was a big 48 yard run by Marett. That run got them down to the Steel Valley 27. Eventually they scored and it was a play that looked like it was going to be a bad result but a desperation throw by Robert Pontius was caught by Jacob Yohman. That made it 12-6 with 9:21 in the second quarter.

The rest of the half nothing major occurred Wilmington had a drive stall in Steel Valley territory to keep the score 12-6. Steel Valley had 2 first downs in the half one of which was via penalty. “I thought they did an outstanding job defensively with the game plan” said Coach Phillian.

Wilmington got the ball to start the second half. On third down a pass was intercepted and Steel Valley had a great opportunity to possibly tie the ball game, the drive started at the Wilmington 32. They still couldn’t get anything going and failed to convert on fourth down.

Later in the quarter Wilmington put together another long clock eating drive. The quarter ended with  Wilmington in the red zone. On the first play to start the fourth quarter a 2 yard run by Robert Pontius that made the score 18-6. Steel Valley did nothing the rest of the game. They didn’t move the chains once in the second half. “Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we would be able to contain Kam Williams and Todd Hill the way we did tonight” said Coach Phillian.

Wilmington added one last touchdown to make the final score 26-6. Steel Valley was held to 11 total yards of offense that should show the type of game it was. Wilmington advances to the state championship for the second straight season and will play 2 time defending state champion Southern Columbia. “We know what a challenge that will be” said Coach Phillian. That game will be played next Friday at 1pm at Hershey Park Stadium.

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