by Dan Resciniti, Paramedic711@aol.com

The Wyoming Area Warrior Freshman Football suffered a “respectable” second loss of the season to the Berwick Bulldogs Freshman on Saturday morning, September 19, 2009, at Crispin Field in Berwick.  The final score was Wyoming Area -6 and Berwick -14.  It seemed that penalties were somewhat of a deciding factor for the Warriors, as two (2) of the teams’ seven (7) possessions were stalled by false starts.  The Warrior’s first offensive possession was productive on the ground.  After returning the opening kickoff to the WA 36 yard-line, the Wyoming Area offense was able to convert two (2) “big” third downs; forcing the ball to the Berwick 25 yard-line.  A missed Center/QB exchange, resulting in a WA fumble, halted the Warrior effort.  The Bulldog’s first possession was over rather quickly, where the Bulldog’s RB fumbled the ball in the backfield.  This created a turnover, as the ball was recovered by the Warriors, at the WA 26 yard-line.  The second offensive possession for the Warriors, hampered by one (1) false start penalty, wound up becoming a “3 and out.”  On the ensuing punt, the Warriors were able to force a fumble on the return, and recover the ball at about the Berwick 46.  After a short 5 yard gain, on a pass to FB Marty Michaels out of the backfield, the drive ceased on penalties.  After two (2) consecutive false start penalties, the Warriors found themselves up against a huge “down and distance” at 4th down and 22 yards to go.  After receiving the punt and returning the ball to the 50 yard-line, the Bulldogs came to life with 2:56 left in the second quarter.  The Warriors were able to hold the Bulldogs attempts for yardage, and place Berwick into two (2) big “fourth and longs.”  On 4th and 10, at the WA 16 and :32 seconds left, the Berwick TE found an opening in the end-zone.  This was the first score of the game, and the extra-point was good, leaving the score Wyoming Area -0 and Berwick -7.  This was the score at the halftime break, after the next Berwick kickoff was a touchback; bringing the ball to the WA 20 yard-line.

The second half began with a “spark” out of the Wyoming Area defense.  On Berwick’s first offensive play, a Bulldog was charged with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty; putting the Dawgs in a 1st and 22 situation.  The next passing play of the Berwick drive was intercepted by DB Zak LaNunziata, where he was able to make a fantastic return to the Berwick 2 yard-line.  With “first and goal to go,” RB Cody Schmitz plowed into the end-zone off the O-lines’ left side on the next play; good for a Wyoming Area score.  The point-after attempt failed on a pass to FB Marty Michaels, leaving the score Wyoming Area -6 and Berwick -7.  On Berwick’s next possession, they put their ground game to work.  With 1:36 left in the third quarter, the Berwick RB leaked into the end-zone for a 9 yard score.  The extra-point kick was good, leaving the score Wyoming Area -6 and Berwick -14.  During the ensuing Berwick kickoff, the Warriors were charged with a holding penalty.  The second offensive possession of the second half began for the Warriors at the WA 20 yard-line.  The next possessions for both Wyoming Area and Berwick ended as “3 and outs,” where punts determined crucial field position.  Wyoming Area’s third offensive possession of the second half, in the fourth quarter, was critical for the Warriors to answer the Bulldog’s edge.  With time running out and clock management becoming an issue, the Warriors fell into a 4th and 20 hole, after a sack and penalty; forcing a Wyoming Area punt.  The Bulldogs returned the ball to the WA 47 yard-line, and the Warrior defense was able to put Berwick in a 4th and 1.  Knowing what they needed to convert a “fresh set of downs,” the Bulldogs hustled to the line and the quarterback pushed ahead for a Berwick first down.  The game ended after two (2) Berwick kneel-downs, leaving the posted final score Wyoming Area -6 and Berwick -14.

The loss brought the Wyoming Area Freshman Football Team record to 1 – 2, and now is the time that our boys need our support.  Help Warrior Nation make a great showing, next Saturday morning at 9 a.m., as our team travels to Mountain Top to battle the Holy Redeemer Royals.