DV overcomes Scranton in state district playoff game

Delaware Valley had a state district playoff game against Scranton last Thursday, November 10.

My first impression was that this was a huge sports complex for a high school. Though Scranton is the largest community in NEPA, this stadium was amazing. The parking lot was jammed so I expected a packed house. However, the stadium was quite empty. After looking around I saw that this actually was the university of Scranton stadium. The high school gets to use this stadium for their home games. On one hand it’s impressive, but on the other hand it’s a shame because the audience is lost in this super large stadium, and the team appears unsupported by fans.

DV had a slightly larger crowd, which surprised me, since this game was a state playoff final and a home game for Scranton.

I won’t bore you with a play by play of failed runs and passes by both teams. A lot of the game is what I call cha cha football. That is 1 2 3 kick 1 2 3 kick if you know what I mean. It was rather unexciting. D.V.s forte is to wear teams down. D.V. pounds away with a powerful running game, chewing up the clock, causing the opposing team defense to tire and lose momentum. However because neither team held the ball very long, and Scranton looked to be every bit the equal of D.V., I feared that DV might not be able to wear them down.

In the the first quarter neither team made much progress. Both teams had to punt the ball, giving it up on downs. Scranton attempted a field goal that failed, so the quarter ended 0-0.

In the second quarter both teams made little progress and had to punt again. Then Scranton finally gets on board with a running touch down, also getting the pat so they go up 7-0.

The next possession for DV they manage to get a field goal so the half ends with the score of 3-7.

The second half Scranton kicks off to DV. Scranton stops any hope for DV progress by intercepting a pass. However Scranton still can’t make progress and must punt.

DV now slowly begins to look strong. They get a rushing touchdown and get the PAT, taking a 10-7 lead.

In the final quarter Scranton looks alive. They get a passing touchdown and the PAT, now going up 14-10.

Delaware Valley running game now is taking its toll on Scranton. D.V. gets a nice rushing T.D. with the PAT, now taking a 17-14 lead.

D.V. kicks off to Scranton but Scranton loses the ball on downs and punts to DV. Delaware Valley promptly scores another rushing TD with a PAT, now in a solid position, leading 24-14.

Up to this point, Paulie Weinrich has been the power runner for DV. However, the last sets of downs I didn’t see him in the game. Was he injured? I do not know, but that is a terrible loss for DV. Ryder Machado took over and ran every bit as well as we have come to expect from him.

With the game seeming safe and DV in command there was a punt to Scranton, but the hike to the kicker was terrible. He lost the ball and it was recovered on the 4 yard line by Scranton. Of course they would capitalize on this blunder and score a TD and the PAT. We are now looking at a 21-24 game and the Scranton side is jubilant while the DV side is worried and stunned.

DV needed to consume the clock but couldn’t, and needed to hand the ball to Scranton who couldn’t make progress themselves. They attempted an onside kick that was executed well, but DV fielded it perfectly. But then DV fumbled eventually, and Scranton took over. DV intercepted a pass, killing Scranton’s hopes and finished up the game, taking the knee, killing the clock. Final score was DV 24, Scranton 21.

Notables of the game are the usual players. There are too many to mention because DV is like well trained special forces. Everyone contributed, but Paulie Weinrich, and Ryder Machado were both big run gainers of the game.

Ryder is also credited with 5 interceptions. However I only saw two.

Jayden Ramirez gained 46 receiving yards.

Justin Kalitsnik made 10 tackles.

Aiden Black got 6 sacks.

Next up is Whitehall who plays in that ferrous Lehigh Vally League. Every team in that league would dominate most other league teams and they are on a roll. It’s going to be tough but it is doable.

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