The Wyoming Area Freshman Football Team suffered their third loss of the season, being defeated by the Dallas Mountaineers Freshman, on Saturday morning at the Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston.  The Warriors were defeated by a posted final score of Dallas – 34 and Wyoming Area – 14.  Zone defense and special teams seemed to be a large part of the defeat, but the twenty (20) point deficit at the halftime break was difficult for the Warriors to overcome.

Dallas went to an immediate rushing attack on their first offensive series, starting with the ball on their own 49 yard line.  On the second play from scrimmage, Dallas’s RB #34 trimmed through the Wyoming Area defense for the first score of the game.  After a failed 2-point conversion attempt, the score was 6 – 0.  Not to be outdone, the Wyoming Area Freshman responded.  Starting on their own 28 yard line and on the second play from scrimmage, RB Cody Schmitz blew through the Dallas defense for a 70 yard touchdown run.  The long run was assisted by an excellent downfield block from RB Zak LaNunziata at the 15 yard line.  The point-after try was converted, as they called on Schmitz again with a pitch off the right side of the O-line.  The ensuing score made the score Dallas – 6 and Wyoming Area – 8.  On Dallas’s second offensive possession, it looked as though the Mountaineers would have difficulty moving the ball against the Warrior defense.  After a huge unassisted sack by DL Jared Saporito, Dallas was placed into a 3rd down and 16 yards to go.  On 4th and 6 and refusing to punt, The Dallas QB struck his WR #41 off the left side on a quick-slant.  The Warriors were unable to corral the WR and the ball was taken for a Dallas touchdown.  DB Dylan Pegg was able to “knock down” an attempted shuffle pass on the 2-point conversion try, leaving the score Dallas – 12 and WA – 8 in the second quarter.  After a great kickoff and Wyoming Area having difficulty retaining the ball, the Warriors started their next possession at their own 11 yard line.  After becoming backed up into a 4th and 20 at their own 1 yard line, a punt was evident.  Having difficulty managing the long snap, #3 Kyle Davis was forced to “take a knee” in the end-zone.  The resulting safety for the Mountaineers left the score Dallas – 14 and Wyoming Area – 8.   The ensuing kickoff seemed to be a problem for the Special Teams.  After a deep Burton kick, WR #41 for Dallas was able to return the ball for a 61 yard kick-off return touchdown.  The point-after try was successful for the Mountaineers, leaving he score Dallas – 22 and WA – 8.  The next Warrior possession resulted in a “three and out,” and the ball was punted by the Warriors.  After a good Mountaineer series of running and passing attack, the ball was placed the Mountaineers at the 15 yard-line; with seconds to go until the halftime break.  The Dallas WR #41 was called upon once again.  The resulting play was a similar quick-slant off the left side, that the Warriors were unable to cover, giving Dallas a twenty (20) point halftime edge; after the touchdown and failed 2-point conversion.  The halftime break score was Dallas – 28 and Wyoming Area – 8.

After receiving the ball in the second half, the Warriors went to work form their own 25 yard-line.  Off a fantastic O-line block execution on first down, RB Cody Schmitz embarked on a 40 yard rush; off the right side.  After two plays, the Warriors faced a passing situation.  A right-side screen pass was “picked” by the Dallas secondary, intended for RB Schmitz, creating a turnover that the Mountaineers needed.  Dallas, knowing that they had to “run the clock down,” began rushing the ball efficiently.  In the series, Dallas RB #45 took advantage of a right-side trap, and took the ball for a score.  The Wyoming Area defense denied the point-after try, leaving the score Dallas – 34 and the Warriors – 8.  Knowing that they had to “make something happen,” The Warriors offense responded.  After becoming backed into a 3rd and 20 yards to go situation, a short pass to RB Schmitz resulted in a 71 yard Warrior trolley to the end-zone for a touchdown.  The point-after attempt failed, leaving a Dallas – 34 and Wyoming Area – 14 score; in the fourth quarter.  With time running out on the clock, Dallas was able expire the contest without further score.  The posted Final was Dallas – 34 and Wyoming Area – 14. 

This was a hard fought test against an undefeated Dallas Freshman team.  The final score does not resemble the effort that our players put forth.  This Saturday morning, the Wyoming Area Freshman Warriors will battle the Grenadiers of G.A.R. High School; at home.  Come out and support our varsity future and cheer the Warriors to Victory!