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Wyomissing Spartans 24 Pottsville Crimson Tide 20 Friday, August 31, 2007 - 7pm Veterans Memorial Stadium - Pottsville, PA |
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Wyomissing tops Pottsville to snap 16-game home winning streak
Pottsville's last home loss was in Week 6 of the 2004 season, a 24-21 defeat at the hands of Muhlenberg. The run included five district playoff victories. It was also Pottsville's first regular season non-league loss since a 35-30 setback against East Stroudsburg South in 2003.
Early, things looked good for the Crimson Tide as senior quarterback Nick Schafer capped an 11-play drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to senior co-captain Jared Cicero to give Pottsville (0-1) a 6-0 lead.
But the Spartans (1-0) answered right back, getting a first down on a fourth-and-2 and scoring a few plays later when fullback Joe Brice plowed in from three yards out to even the score.
On the next drive Spartans quarterback Corey Robinson found Evan McCready for a 60-yard scoring strike to put Wyomissing ahead 12-6.
But Pottsville would answer and take the lead in the second quarter. Sophomore running back Jeremy Hoke, who finished with a game-high 157 yards on nine carries, scored from three yards out. Scott Delenick caught the two-point conversion pass to give the Tide a 14-12 lead.
Wyomissing earned the lead for good following another third-and-long conversion pass from Robinson, who finished 11-of-17 with 224 yards. Brice scored from a yard out to put the Spartans ahead 18-14 at the break.
Brice added another score from eight yards out in the third quarter to give Wyomissing a 24-12 advantage. But the Crimson Tide would answer.
Hoke broke off a 73-yard touchdown run - the longest of his young career - to put the Crimson Tide right back in the game at 24-20.
Unfortunately, the three time defending District 11 Class AAA champions couldn't muster any more points, falling to the Spartans.
Next week, the Crimson Tide hosts Reading in the 87th meeting between the two schools at 7 p.m. Friday. Pottsville has won the past three meetings and still holds possession of the Lump of Coal trophy, which will be up for grabs again Friday.
(Please check back later for updated statistics from Friday's game with Wyomissing.)