Western QB Austin Pichiotino dives over the pile for extra yardage. Western Sets Scoring Mark With 60-21 Win Over Central
|
||||||||||
| Printer Friendly Story View |
End of the season rivalries have all the ear marks for motivation. None was bigger for Western as they sought to qualify for the playoffs and prove to themselves that they are one of the leagues top quality teams. While the stands were filled with traditional hunter orange, the battle field looked more like Custer's last stand at Little Bighorn as Western exploded for 60 points on their way to a qualifying playoff win over county rival Bay City Central. While the outcome of the game was soon not in doubt, you couldn't tell on the field as the effort and hard hitting by both sides continue up to the final play.
Western got on the board first just over half way through the first quarter. Quarterback Austin Pichiotino led the charge using both his legs and feet to get the Warrior offense moving as he capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown run. When the kick failed, Western held a 6-0 lead.
After shutting down the Central attack, Western struck again. It was Pichiotino who scored again as he darted 4 yards to put his Warriors on top 12-0 late in the first quarter.
Central quickly responded. Turning to their talented running back, Darion Lopez raced 21 yards for a score. With the extra point kick, the lead was narrowed to 12-7 by the end of the first quarter.
Following the score, any thoughts of a Wolf pack uprising were soon shot down as once again, Pichiotino went to the air. Guiding his team down field to open the second quarter, he found his favorite target in Tyler Ellis for a 12 yard touchdown strike. And with Tyler Kuch's kick, the Warriors were off to a 19-7 lead.
Just as Western had gotten their offensive machine rolling behind Pichiotino's 182 yards in the air just half way through the second quarter, the junior signal caller had to leave the game with a hand injury turning the keys over to junior backup Brett Leppek. The change at quarterback served to merely change the Warrior attack from an air assault to a punishing ground assault behind a determined offensive line. Leppek and Josh Alba lead the drive with Leppek scoring from two yards out upping the lead to 26-7. Moments later it was Alba's turn to shine as the senior halfback ran left side to race 49 yards down the sideline for a now 33-7 lead.
Central responded on their next possession. Guided by senior quarterback Jacob Lochinski with the running of Cameron Sullivan and Darion Lopez, the Wolves found pay dirt as Lochinski scored from one yard out making it 33-14.
Western would strike one more time before the half as Leppek raced 38 yards sending the Warriors into halftime leading 40-14.
While Leppek's run accounted for all the scoring in the third quarter, Central found the end zone to start the fourth quarter. Lochinski capped off a drive crossing the goal line from the one yard line making it 47-21. The joy of scoring was short lived as less than a minute later Leppek burst through the line to run 38 yards for another Warrior score and a 54-21 lead. Derek Wisniewski finished off the Warrior onslaught with a five yard run. Central blocked the extra point making the final 60-21. The 60 points is the most scored by a Warrior team.
Central finished the season at 2-7. While the record is disappointing and especially the loss to Western, the boys showed a lot of character by playing hard to the final whistle.
Western qualifies for the state playoffs with the win. While the opponent and location won't be known until Sunday night, the win certainly gets them on track for a battle the upcoming weekend.
| Printer Friendly Story View |
|
|
John Keuvelaar |
|
|
|
Printer-Friendly Story View
0200 Nd: 04-27-2024 d 4 cpr 0
12/31/2020 P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm
SPONSORED LINKS
12/31/2020 drop ads P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm