The 2009 Wyoming Area Warrior Freshman Football Team began their season, at home on Saturday morning, with a decisive 40 – 0 victory over the Nanticoke Trojans.  Each of the teams started a bit sluggish in their opener, where the first quarter was riddled with turnovers by both squads.   Scoreless in the first quarter, the young Warriors team responded vigorously in the second.  Quarterback Jordan Zezza, under excellent pass protection, was able to connect on a thirty yard strike with wide-receiver Dylan Pegg for the first score of the game.  Not to be out-done, Cody Schmitz made his presence evident in the Warrior backfield.  Under the offensive lines’ run-block execution, Schmitz was able to register the next two touchdowns on the ground in the second quarter; one of which was a 45 yard gallop off the O-lines’ left side.  Each of the three 2-point-after conversion attempts failed on the first three touchdowns, leaving the score 18 – 0 about 4 minutes prior to halftime.  The Warriors defense continued its diligence, issuing another “three and out” in the latter stage of the second quarter.  On third down, DE Joseph Taylor emerged into the backfield corralling the Trojan quarterback recording an unassisted sack; forcing a Nanticoke punt.  The special teams unit took advantage of the change-in-possession opportunity provided by their defense.  Schmitz, deep in punt return formation was able to retrieve the kick and return it 55 yards for a score.  Jordan Zezza was able to convert the point-after attempt on a bootleg off the right side, bringing the Warriors to a 26-0 edge at the halftime break.

The second half of the contest continued with more of the same, where each of the seventh-grade players gained game-time experience against the Trojans.  In the third quarter, Zezza found Pegg on a 20 yard “fly” resulting in another Warriors touchdown.  The Trojans, unable to stop the Warrior attack and ground game, were also unable to stop LaNunziata in the fourth quarter.  Behind the offensive line and a fantastic lead-block, LaNunziata was able to break free for a 52 yard touchdown scamper.  Zezza was able to add the point-after try, in similar fashion, resulting in a 40 – 0 Warrior advantage.  The final possession of the game proved somewhat successful for the Trojans.  They began to move the ball down the field, and under good clock management were able to enter the Warrior red-zone.  Not to be denied a possible shut-out, the Warrior defense provided a 4 down goal-line stand in the closing seconds

The Freshman Warriors will try to improve on their 1 – 0 record next Saturday evening at 7 P.M. at home in Warrior Stadium versus Lake Lehman; under the lights.  The support of our young Warrior players is crucial, and we hope that everyone in Warrior Nation will join us to cheer them on!