By Brian Ptashinski @BPtashinski on Twitter
Kingston- Not since the days of Darell Blackman has the Williamsport Millionaires seen this type of success on the gridiron. On Friday night at Spartan Stadium, 13 years of frustration came to an end as Williamsport defeated Wyoming Valley West 35-22 on crisp night.
Millionaire sophomore running back Treyson Potts rushed for 238 yards on 14 carries and two scores in his teams first win over the Spartans since a 26-20 win in 2002.
After a scoreless first quarter, Williamsport was able to open up the deadlock as Marteze Clark bulled his way for a three-yard score with 8:03 until half. Valley West managed to score with just seven seconds before intermission on a ten-yard pass from Aaron Austin to Sean Judge. A missed PAT left the score at 7-6.
Williamsport received the second half kickoff and took over at their own 38, it only took one play to extend the lead as Potts ripped off a 62-yard jaunt and a 14-6 lead. The Spartans had an answer as Judge went in from five yards with 7:13 left in the quarter the two-point conversion attempt failed. But just like what the theme of the night was, every time the Spartans got close, the Millionaires would respond. This time Clark plunged in for a one-yard score and a 21-12 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
“We were able to see how they spread their defensive front. Our coaches had our lineman working in practice getting to that second level and block the line backers. I was able to make a move here or there and get into the open,” Potts stated after the game as he improved on his ten-plus yard average coming into the contest.
As the final quarter started, Valley West penetrated deep into Williamsport territory, but the defense rose up with a couple of sacks of Austin and they were to settle for a 40 yard field goal by Jake Gurtis and with 9:22 left it was a 21-15 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Potts returned the ball 63 yards, which led to a two-yard run by quarterback Isaiah Hankins. The Spartans would not go away either as the Spartans scored 23 seconds after Hankin’s score as Judge scampered in from 37 yards out cutting the lead to 28-22 with 4:33 on the clock. Potts’ iced the game with a spectacular 78 yard run with 3:55 to play.
“We came together tonight,” Williamsport coach Chris Bleich said. “Everyone contributed and made plays tonight. This was a great win against a quality opponent. Now we can get ready for next week’s opponent,” he concluded.
His Millionaires are now 4-0 will travel to Shikellamy (3-1) who defeated Selinsgrove 21-14. Valley West (2-2) will try to end a two game skid as they take on Dallas next week.
