The Wyoming Area Freshman Football Team evened their record to (3) three wins and (3) three losses in their win over the Grenadiers of G.A.R. , on Saturday morning  at the Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston.  The Warrior defense, with the exception of two big G.A.R. pass plays during the game, was up to the challenge.  Sacks, tackles-for-loss, and a key interception spurred the Warriors to victory in the Wyoming Area – 30 and G.A.R. – 12 posted final.

Wyoming Area won the coin-toss and deferred to receive the ball in the second-half.  The opening kick rolled out-of-bounds giving the Grenadiers 1st and 10 at the WA 35 yard line.  The defense issued a “three and out” in the first series and after the punt to the Warriors, Wyoming Area began their first offensive possession at the 50 yard line.  On first down, RB Cody Schmitz moved past the G.A.R. defense for a 19 yard gain.  The Warriors continued their rushing attack behind their Offensive lines’ run block execution, and QB Jordan Zezza (#14) was able to put the ball in the hands of WR (#15) Erik Walkowiak. Walkowiak took the ball 31 yards to the end-zone for the first Wyoming Area touchdown. The point-after try was converted, when Schmitz was able to "get the corner" off the right side. The score is Wyoming Area – 8 and G.A.R. – 0.  After the ensuing kickoff, the Grenadiers started with the ball at their own 29 yard line.  On first down, DL Carl Zielinski and LB Jeff Skursky mauled through the G.A.R. O-line and were able to combine for a tackle-for-loss of (6) six yards.  On 2nd and 16, this combination was not done.  Zielinski and Skursky tore through again, combining on a sack and a 4 yard loss.  After the two big defensive stops, the rattled Grenadier offensive committed a false start.  Backed into a 4th and 25 situation, G.A.R. was forced to punt.  After a short return, the Warriors took over at the 50 yard line for the second time.  During the drive, RB Cody Schmitz smashed through the Grenadier’s D for a 27 yard gain.  Schmitz was brought down at the G.A.R. 17 yard line, bringing an end to the first quarter and a 0 – 8 score.  With the ball in the red-zone and being brought to a 4th and 14, the Warriors were unable to convert and “turned the ball over on downs” to G.A.R. on their own 22 yard line.  On first down, G.A.R. WR #80 squeaked by the Warriors, with misdirection, on an end-around play.  On second down, NT Tyler Strok swam into the backfield and brought down the G.A.R. QB for a 5 yard loss and his second unassisted sack of the season.  Backed into a 4th and 15, G.A.R. felt a sense of urgency against this Warrior defense and needed to score.  The G.A.R. QB #12 found his WR #87, under defensive duress, for a 41 yard pass and run TD.  The 2-point conversion try was denied by the Warriors, leaving a G.A.R. – 6 and Wyoming Area – 8.  After the next Wyoming Area possession, which resulted in a punt, G.A.R. took over with the ball at their 45 yard line and seconds before the halftime break.  With G.A.R. needing to move the ball more than half of the field before the break, passes became evident.  The Warrior defense stiffened, and DB Kyle Davis was able to “pick-off” the G.A.R. QB.  The Davis interception placed the ball at the WA 22 yard line.  The change in possession took the Warriors to the halftime break, and they headed to the locker room with a WA – 8 and G.A.R. – 6 edge.

Receiving the ball in the second half, the Warriors went to work.  After taking over at the G.A.R. 45 yard line, RB Cody Schmitz punched in and took the ball 35 yards for a Warrior touchdown.  On the point-after try, Schmitz again plowed through the Guard/Center gap converting the 2-point try.  The score is Wyoming Area – 16 and G.A.R. – 6.  Great secondary coverage, on G.A.R.’s next offensive possession, provided the Warriors the ability to issue a “three and out.”  Wyoming Area took over at their 49 yard line and on first down, with Schmitz running toward the sideline, a personal foul (late hit – out of bonds) placed the ball at the G.A.R. 30 yard line.  A holding penalty backed the Warriors into a 1st and 20, but the offense took it back and more.  Schmitz, behind a well-driven offensive line, paraded into the end-zone off the right corner.  On the conversion try, WA QB #14 Jordan Zezza struck WR #80 Ron Robinson in the middle of the end-zone.  The 2-point try was converted, and the score was Wyoming Area – 24 and G.A.R. – 6.  On the Wyoming Area kickoff the ball travelled out-of-bounds, and G.A.R. elected to have the ball re-kicked.  The Grenadiers took over at their 45 yard line.  On the drive, the Grenadiers were able to convert a 4th and 1.  After a lateral, mishandled by the G.A.R. RB, the Warriors covered the runner for a 12 yard loss; placing them into a 3rd and 22.  With the huge down and distance, G.A.R. QB #12 was able to connect with WR #80 for 56 yards.  The Warriors were able to bring the wide-out down at the (3) three yard line, giving G.A.R. a first and goal opportunity.  The G.A.R. QB was called on again.  After a 3 yard boot-leg off the left side, and a G.A.R. score with failed point-after try, the score was Wyoming Area – 24 and G.A.R. – 12.  After the kick, Wyoming Area took over at their 42 yard line.  Chewing up the clock with a great running attack, the Warriors moved into the red-zone.  From the G.A.R. 11 yard line RB Zak LaNunziata sliced through the Grenadier defense and travelled into the end-zone for another WA score.  The 2-point conversion try failed, leaving a Wyoming Area – 30 and G.A.R. – 12 score.  G.A.R. started their next possession at their 35 yard line.  After a series of passing and penalties, the Grenadiers moved the ball to the WA 35 yard line.  After a timeout, on first down, DE Marty Michaels jabbed into the backfield and corralled the Grenadier QB for a ten (10) yard loss; placing G.A.R. into a passing situation with time running out.  On 4th and 20, a pass attempt from the G.A.R. QB fell incomplete on the left side of the field; securing a Warrior Victory.  The posted Final was Wyoming Area – 30 and G.A.R. – 12.

The Wyoming Area Freshman Football Team (3 – 3) was able to improve their record to .500, but they can’t continue their “winning tradition” without the support of Warrior Nation.  Come and join us, in Mountaintop at the Crestwood High School on Saturday morning, to cheer our boys to Victory!