By Brian Ptashinski BPtashinski on Twitter.
WILSON- It wasn’t exactly how Palisades wanted to start on the road Saturday afternoon at Warrior Stadium in their game with host Wilson. On the second play from scrimmage Pirate QB Ethan Brader fumbled and gave the ball to Wilson at the Palisades 37. Wilson lost seven yards on next three plays and that would set the tone for the rest of the contest as the Warriors amassed just a mere 35 yards and did not cross midfield for the rest of the contest.
“Our defense set the tone right out of the gate. We are fast along the line. Our expectations are to be physical but also quick off and to the ball,” Pirate coach Kevin Ronalds stated.
That speed and physical play kept Warrior RB Job Goodman, who ran for over 160 yards last week against Pen Argyl, to 27 yards on 12 carries. The defense also recorded five sacks and forced six Warrior punts in the contest.
The Pirate defense stopped Wilson on the visitors 39 yard line on fourth down following the fumble. From there Palisades drove the field culminating in a four-yard run by RB Jared Colletti at the 8:09 mark. Palisades TJ Rakowsky scored from 33 yards out on the last play of the opening quarter on a sweep to the left side.
Colletti scored again with 6:10 to go before half on a 31-yard gallop. The Pirates put another score on the board when Brader connected with WR Matt McGrath, who made a juggling catch in the back of the end zone leaving the score at 28-0 at intermission.
Brader finished the game with 65 yards passing on 4 of 8 completions and the scoring pass. Colletti and Rakowsky led the running attack with 69 and 76 yards respectively.
Colletti just didn’t do it from the running back position, but also on special teams. He took a punt from his 47, starting to his left, he then cut it back to the opposite side and down the visitors sideline for a nifty 53-yard return to put the game in mercy-rule with 10:26 left in the third quarter. Backup RB Aiden Blakie rounded out the scoring with a one-yard run at the 4:26 mark of the final period.
The Tom Poynton 110 Percent Passion Award went to Colletti after the game. Wilson’s Nick Gara also received the award. Poynton who passed away was a coach and teacher at both schools.
Palisades(2-0) will be home next week with Northwestern Lehigh. Wilson will be at Salisbury.
