Frank Kastreva

Berwick prevails in 14-13 nailbitter

BERWICK- It was round one of the PIAA District II playoffs this Saturday afternoon at Crispin Field in Berwick as the Dawgs played host to the Crestwood Comets. It would be a rematch of opening night of the regular season as the Dawgs rolled by the Comets 41-7 just 11 weeks ago at Crispin Field. The Comets had other ideas coming in this time. Upset was on their minds and they nearly got it done, falling short 14-13 with a missed extra point looming large.

Crestwood would take the lead at the 4:56 mark of the 1^st quarter with Jr. RB Frank Aigeldinger ripping off a 53 yard dash to paydirt. The PAT was no good, with the score Comets 6, Dawgs 0.

Berwick would grab the lead late in the 2^nd quarter with Sr. WR Kyle Trenholm hauling in a 51 yard TD strike from Sr. QB CJ Curry. Jr. K Olivia Seely nailed the PAT and the Dawgs held the slim 7-6 lead at the half.

Crestwood would again grab the lead in the 3^rd quarter with Aigeldinger capping a seven play 89 yard scoring drive on a seven yard scamper to the goldzone. The PAT was good with the score Comets 13, Dawgs 7.

Berwick would take the lead for good with just 7:27 left in the ballgame with Sr. RB Dain Kowalski capping a six play 80 yard scoring drive on a 19 yard dash to paydirt. Seely again nailed thePAT with the score Dawgs 14, Comets 13.

Crestwood would not go away quietly as they scrapped and clawed their way down into Berwick territory with time ticking away, but came up short on an incomplete pass on fourth down. The Dawgs would take over on downs salting the win away and advancing to round two of the District II playoffs were they will host Abington Heights next Saturday afternoon at Crispin Field. No matter if the Dawgs win or lose next Saturday it will be their last home game of the 2013 campaign.

Berwick certainly did not play their best game of the season in this one. Many may say it might have been their ugliest win of the year, but fortunately the PIAA does not give out style points and a win is a win.

“I did not like our body language today”, noted Coach Curry. “We didn’t play with enough emotion and that’s how you have to play each week if you want to be a winner. Still, it was a great game and we will move on”.

“We were prepared for them, but we played flat most of the game, at least we turned it up in the 4^th quarter. We will just put this one behind us and look toward next weekend, said QB CJ Curry after the game.

If you look at the stats in this one it was pretty lopsided except for the scoreboard as Crestwood rolled up a total of 308 total yards to Berwick’s 164 total yards. Crestwood would rush for 204 yards on 47 carries to Berwick’s 23 yards rushing on 18 carries. In the passing game it was Berwick getting the upper hand with 141 yards to Crestwood’s 104 yards via the air.

Stats compiled by Chris Dawe.

Dawgs still sitting as number 1 seed in District 2 AAA

BERWICK- The Berwick Bulldogs played host to the Coughlin Crusaders Friday night at Crispin Field, in a game with big playoff implications. Coughlin came in with a 7-1 record and is battling with Crestwood for what may be the final playoff spot in the District 2 class AAA playoffs. Berwick, on the other hand, is looking to lock up the number one seed and secure home field for its first two playoff games.

The Dawgs would have to fend off a scrappy Coughlin team which held a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, but rattled off 36 unanswered points the rest of the way dismantling the Crusaders 39-7.

Berwick’s first score came in the form of a 27 yard field goal off the foot of Jr. K Olivia Seely.  Then, down 7-3 Sr. Kyle Trenholm returned a punt 56 yards to the Coughlin 29, which got things rolling for the Dawgs. Five plays later Sr. QB CJ Curry found paydirt from one yard out. After a penalty the Dawgs went for two in which Sr. FB Jorden Stout rushed in and the Dawgs took the 11-7 lead, never looking back.

Trenholm, who you could give the game ball to in this one, again found paydirt on a reverse option with just seven seconds left in the half, as Berwick held an 18-7 lead at the break.

Sr. TE Ian Mazonkey got in on the scoring at the 7:40 mark of the 2^nd quarter hauling in a 17 yard TD reception from Curry. Trenholm, then again scored, this time a 41 yard TD reception from Curry early in the 4^th quarter. Trenholm capped the scoring on the night, giving the Dawgs the 39-7 victory and tallying his third touchdown.

With the win, the Dawgs move to 9-0 and have an away game at Hazleton Area next week. A win there and the Dawgs will secure the top playoff seed and will also claim the WVC title. As for Coughlin, they will have a showdown with Crestwood next week. As it looks right now the winner of that game will secure a District 2 playoff spot and the loser may have to settle for Eastern Conference playoffs.

Looking ahead…thinking playoffs?? Let’s give it a whirl….here is how I see it right now, for whatever that’s worth? If you’re a Berwick fan, well, I’d say things look pretty good. Should get the number one seed and that means home field for game one, which may be Crestwood. District 2 title game could be Scranton Prep coming to Dawgtown, for what I think, would be the first time ever. After districts, state playoffs look like this. D2 champ gets D11 champ in third playoff game, which looks like Southern Lehigh this season. From there….could be Clearfield, whom may be district 9 champ. If the Dawgs were to get by all those teams, Archbishop Wood could be huge challenge in Eastern Finals. Bishop McDevitt and Mannheim Central will be battling it out in the West so the Dawgs would not see them unless they were in state title game.

Ya, I know crazy scenario dreamed up in week 9…thinking ahead…or just plain crazy. Hey, look at it this way. Of the six teams ranked above Berwick in the state, only one of them is in the eastern side of the bracket.

Berwick uses second half to surge by rival Valley West

By Frank Kastreva, Berwickdawgs.com

BERWICK- Coming into tonight’s game between Valley West and Berwick not one player on the Spartan’s sideline had suffered the experience of defeat by the Berwick Bulldogs, winning the last four tilts against the Dawgs. That all change tonight at Crispin field as the Berwick Bulldogs broke the streak to the tune of 42-28 in a most entertaining ballgame.

Things did not start well for the Dawgs in this one, fumbling the pigskin away on only their third play from scrimmage. Valley West would capitalize on the Dawg’s miscue going 39 yards on five plays with Jr. RB Eric Acosta capping the drive on a 20 yard scamper. Jr. K Ian Ultsh would nail the PAT and the Spartans had the early 7-0 lead.

The Dawgs answered right back on their ensuing possession going 51 yards on nine plays with Jr. RB Nate Maczuga capping things off on a 13 yard scamper. Jr. K Olivia Seely nailed the PAT, with the score Dawgs 7, Spartans 7.

Berwick would take the lead on their very next drive after a three and out by the defense. Sr. QB C.J Curry capped the 49 yard scoring drive on a two yard jaunt. Seely’s PAT was no good, with the score Dawgs 13, Spartans 7.

Valley West again answered back on their next series putting together a 65 yard scoring drive using 12 plays to find paydirt. Capping the drive that extended into the 2^nd quarter was Sr. RB Troy Yashinski on a 20 yard scamper. Ultsh nailed the PAT, with the score Spartans 14, Dawgs 13.

Just like a big prize fight, the Dawgs again fought back with another scoring drive on their very next series. This time going 61 yards on 11 plays with Sr. FB Jorden Stout capping things off on a nine yard jaunt. Berwick would go for two successfully with Maczuga finding the goldzone via the ground, with the score Dawgs 21, Spartans 14.

Valley West looked like they would again answer back before the end of the half, but fumbled the pigskin away on the one yard line after a 43 yard reception. The Dawgs Sr. DB Andrew Wenner would recover the ball in the endzone and the half would end with the score Dawgs 21, Spartans 14.

The Spartans would tie things up with 6:05 left in the 3^rd quarter after an interception from Sr. Michael Baur. Five plays later the Spartans would find paydirt on a 20 yard reception from Baur to So. TE L.J. Wesneski.  The PAT was good, with the score Dawgs 21, Spartans 21.

Berwick answered right back taking the lead for good with Maczuga ripping off a 31 yard scamper to the goldzone. The PAT was good, with the score Dawgs 28, Spartans 21.

Berwick’s Sr. RB Dain Kowalski was the next to find paydirt for the Dawgs, capping a 53 yard scoring drive on a three yard jaunt. Seely nailed the PAT, with the score Dawgs 35, Spartans 21.

The Dawgs would salt things away after a fumble recovery by Sr. LB Ian Mazonkey, due to the hit by Sr. DL Jordan Stout. Seven plays later Kowalski ripped off a 20 yard scamper capping the 61 yard scoring drive, with the score Dawgs 42, Spartans 21.

Valley West would find the endzone one last time on the night with Acosta rushing it in from nine yards out, with the final score Dawgs 42, Spartans 28.

Berwick would finish with 380 total yards offense compared to the Spartan’s 303 yards. The Dawgs would rush for 254 yards on 42 carries with Maczuga getting 75 yards, Kowalski with 65 yards, Trenholm with 28 yards, Talanca with 16 yards and Stout with 49 yards. Curry would finish with 126 yards passing.

Jr. RB Nate Maczuga before tonight’s game only had five carries in the first three games compared to most of the workload on the ground tonight.

“I really did not know I would get the ball as much as I did tonight, I’m glad I could contribute. I love getting out there and playing,” said Maczuga.

As for Sr. QB Curry he was all smiles after the game. “This is just awesome, words can’t describe how great this feels right now. I’m going to enjoy this win for tonight, then get back in the weight room tomorrow morning and start thinking about Selinsgrove.”

Selinsgrove will be the Dawgs next test as they host the Seals next Friday night at Crispin Field. Selinsgrove will come in with a 3-1 record and always plays Berwick tough. It should be another great test for the Dawgs as they look to move to 5-0 on their quest for Hershey gold.

Until next week…happy football!

Stats compiled by Chris Dawe.

Berwick’s offense puts up 56, while defense plays stingy

By Frank Kastreva, Berwickdawgs.com

Berwick made a little bit of history Friday night as they traveled to Pottsville in a non-league match-up. A bit of history that the Crimson Tide might want to forget about. In a series that started in 1930 with Berwick heading into tonight’s tilt with a 28-11-3 record, the Dawgs put up 56. It would be the most points  tallied by the Dawgs against the Tide ever in the series and also the largest margin win, with the final score Dawgs 56, Tide 7. In 1997 Berwick won by a 54-7 margin, which was the biggest point margin win prior to tonight’s 56-7 win.

Berwick  would carry a 35-0 lead in at half time with a total of 297 yards, compared to 43 total yards offense for the Tide. The Dawgs 297 came from 105 yards via the ground game and 192 yards via the air, while Pottsville had a total of minus 24 on the ground and positive 67 in the air. Mind you, it was only half time.

The Dawg’s would get touchdowns from Sr. RB Dain Kowalski, Sr. WR Kyle Trenholm and Sr. FB Jordan Stout in the first half. Kowalski scored Berwick’s first three td’s on a one yard jaunt, a two yard jaunt and a six yard scamper to paydirt. Trenholm scored on a 66 yard reception from Sr. QB CJ Curry and Stout found the goldzone on a four yard rush.

Scoring for the Dawgs in the 2^nd half were, Jr. WR Andrew Force, Jr. RB Nick Talanca and So. RB Daquan Hellenthal. Force got in on a 43 yard strike from Curry, Talanca on a 2 yard jaunt and Hellenthal  on another 2 yard rush.

QB Curry and the first team would come out of the game late in the 3^rd quarter with a 42-7 lead. Curry would finish up with 254 yards passing with eight completions on 15 attempts.

With the win the Dawgs have improved to 2-0 while the Tide moves to 1-1. Berwick will again be on the road next week as they travel to the Back Mountain for a Saturday matinee with the Dallas Mountaineers.

Until next week, happy football!

Berwick storms past Comets in opener at Crispin Field

By Frank Kastreva, Berwickdawgs.com

It was opening night at Crispin Field in Dawgtown Friday, as the Berwick Bulldogs kicked off the 2013 gridiron campaign. Back were the white helmets, silver paints and Berwick blue jersey’s once worn by the likes of Orlando, Powlus, Bennett, Henry and Felder just to name a few of the many whom laid it all on the line at Crispin Field. “The field where the football gods sleep” to quote a few.

Both teams would get off to a slow start, but after the Dawgs broke through on the second play from scrimmage in the 2^nd quarter they would never look back. Berwick would roll out to a 35-0 lead late in the 3^rd quarter to take it into the mercy rule, with the final score Dawgs 41, Comets 7.

Berwick first touchdown would come on a 39 yard strike from Sr. QB CJ Curry to Jr. WR Andrew Force. Force would add two more td’s on the night finishing up with five catches for 192 yards. To date, Force as 11 career catches and nine of them are touchdowns.

Sr. WR Will Updegrove would also have a nice night finishing up with three catches for 87 yards with one touchdown.

Berwick would tally up a total of 468 total yards from scrimmage with 132 yards on the ground and the rest from the Curry air attack. Curry finished up with 14 receptions on 26 attempts for 336 yards passing with one interception.

The Dawgs’ other two scores would come from Sr. RB Dain Kowalski on a seven yard scamper and Sr. DB Alex Klinger on a 25 yard fumble recovery which led to paydirt.

Crestwood would find the scoreboard in the 4^th quarter on a 50 yard scamper to spoil the shutout.

“We got off to a slow start, but once the kids got the momentum going they played well. Our defense did a good job shutting them down tonight. Football is a game of angles and matchups, tonight we were able to get both,” said Coach Curry of his Dawgs.

With the win Berwick, gets off to the 1-0 start and will travel to rival Pottsville next Friday night. Pottsville also got a win tonight putting up 40 some points, so look for a dandy next week. Both teams are not very fond of one another, in other words they are not on each other’s Christmas card list.

Until next week…Happy Football!

Comets draw curtain on Dawgs’ season with 44-35 victory

BERWICK- The Abington Heights Comets came into the district 2 class AAA championship without finding the goldzone in their last eight quarters. They made up for things a bit at Crispin Field Saturday afternoon finding paydirt a total of six times for 44 points with a 42 yard field goal to boot. The Comets would end Berwick’s season with the 44-35 victory and advance to the PIAA state tournament in which they will square off against district 11 champions Allentown Central Catholic.

Berwick would grab the early lead scoring on their first series with Sr. RB Jeff Steeber capping a three play drive on the jet sweep left scampering 74 yards to paydirt. So. K Olivia Seely would nail the PAT, with the score Dawgs 7, Comets 0.

Abington Heights would answer back on their very next series on a 13 play drive going 60 yards. Jr. WR Nathan Hollander would haul in a three yard reception from Sr. QB Dante Pasqualichio to cap the drive. Sr. K Ryan Patrick would nail the PAT and the slugfest began, with the score Dawgs 7, Comets 7.

Berwick’s Sr. RB Matt Cashman would get in the action on the very next play of the game returning  the kickoff from Abington Heights 98 yards to the goldzone and Berwick would regain the lead after Seely’s PAT, with the score Dawgs 14, Comets 7.

The Comets would answer right back on their next series on a five play drive that covered 49 yards with Sr. RB Ryan Judge capping things off on a six yard jaunt to paydirt. Patrick would boot the PAT, with the score Dawgs 14, Comets 14.

There would be no more scoring until the 3:20 mark of the 2^nd quarter. The Comets would take their first lead with Sr. TE Pat Williams capping a seven play drive that covered 65 yards on a delayed screen going 22 yards to paydirt. Patrick added the PAT, with the score Comets 21, Dawgs 14. Little did they know it, but Abington Heights would never let their lead slip away from this point on. Patrick would add a 42 yard field goal after and interception by Jr. DB J.C Show, with the score Comets 24, Dawgs 14.

Berwick would put together a sustained drive late in the 2^nd quarter going 78 yards on 11 plays, only to see Jr. QB C.J. Curry come up just two yards short of the goldzone as time expired in the first half and the Dawgs were turned away.

The Dawgs would start quick in the 2^nd half just needing three plays to find the scoreboard with Steeber scoring his second of the day on a 55 yard scamper. Seely’s PAT was good, with the score Comets 24, Dawgs 21.

Abington Heights then would answer right back as Hollander got involved in another special teams score, running the kickoff  back 75 yards to paydirt. Patrick’s PAT was good and with just one minute and 46 minutes ran off in the 3^rd quarter both teams had scored, with the score Comets 31, Dawgs 21.

Berwick would again answer on their next series, going 67 yards on 13 plays with Steeber capping the drive on a three yard jaunt. Seely’s PAT good, with the score Comets 31, Dawgs 28.

The Comets would only need three plays to find the goldzone on their next series with Judge capping the 60 yard scoring drive on a 25 yard scamper. Patrick PAT good, with the score Comets 38, Dawgs 28.

The Dawgs would get their final score of the day with 7:25 left in the game as Cashman returned an Abington Height’s punt 75 yards to the Comet’s five yard line. Steeber would need just two plays to get the next five yards. Seely’s  PAT was good, with the score Comets 38, Dawgs 35.

Abington Height would seal the deal on their next offensive series with another touchdown. This time, the Comets would march 69 yards on seven plays with Show hauling in the 10 yard pass from Pasqualichio to cap the final score of the day.

Berwick would run eight plays on their final offensive series, with a turnover on downs. Abington Height would go into victory formation to run out the clock on their next series, with the final score Comets 44, Dawgs 35.

Sr. WR Jeff Steeber has 105 all-purpose yards in Berwick win

BERWICK- The Dawgs used a balance of the run and passing game this Saturday afternoon at Crispin Memorial Field, recording 130 yards on the ground along with a passing game that accumulated 136 yards. Sr. RB Matt Cashman would carry the ball 14 times for 45 yards with one td, while Sr. Jeff Steeber would rush for 65 yards on six carries, which included a huge touchdown on a 33 yard reverse late in the 4th quarter. Steeber also contributed to the passing game with three receptions totaling 40 yards.

Berwick would find the scoreboard on their very first drive of the day after the defense was able to record a three and out on the Mountaineers first possession. The Dawgs would put together an 11 play drive capped by a 25 yard field goal from So. K Olivia Seely after the Dallas “D” stood tall, with the score Dawgs 3, Mounts 0.

Dallas again would go three and out on their next series but their defense also kept Berwick from putting another drive together until the Dawgs struck at the 7:13 mark of the 2^nd quarter. Sr. WR Jake Pecorelli would haul in a 38 yard strike from Jr. QB CJ Curry with Curry picking up the one on one coverage and lofting a perfect pass to Peck. Seely would have the PAT blocked, with the score Dawgs 9, Mount 0.

Dallas would find the scoreboard with just 45 seconds left in the first half, with Sr. RB Kris Roccograndi capping a 12 play scoring drive that totaled 77 yards on a four yard jaunt. The PAT was good, with the score Dawgs 9, Mounts 7 at the half.

Dallas would start the second half with an attempt of an onsides kick, trying to catch the Dawgs napping. Berwick So. Zach Andress “The good hands people” covered the kick with ease and the Dawgs would start their first drive of the 2^nd half near mid field. The Mounts’ defense again stood tall as Berwick actually lost yardage on three plays from scrimmage and were forced to punt.

Dallas, then again put together a fairly nice drive with eight plays leading to a field goal attempt of around 40 yards. If the Mounts were to make the three pointer they would have had their first lead of the day, instead the pigskin was blocked at the line of scrimmage by Sr. Will Masteller and Berwick would take over at their own 31 yard line. Although, Berwick was unable to score on the ensuing drive, the blocked field goal seemed to turn momentum in Berwick’s favorite and in a sense they never looked back.

The Dawgs would score early in the 4^th quarter with Cashman capping an eight play drive on a five yard scamper. The PAT was blocked, with the score Dawgs 15, Mounts 7. Steeber played a huge part of the drive as Curry scrambled around on a 4^th and 24 only to connect with Steeber at the five yard line, setting up Cashman for the score. Coach Curry said of the play, “Looked like someone might have had a guardian angel out their on that one.”

Berwick again scored with just 4 minutes left in the game on the Steeber reverse of 33 yards. In all, the Dawgs offense would go 84 yards in 9 plays with Steeber capping things off. The two point conversion failed, with the score Dawgs 21, Mounts 7.

Berwick’s Sr. Zach Ladonis would finish the scoring off for the day with a 12 yard interception return on the Mounts final attempt to put a sustained driver together. Instead, Ladonis would step in front of the attempted pass and walk to paydirt. The PAT was good, with the final score Dawgs 28, Mounts 7.

“We played a good football team here today”, noted Coach Curry, speaking of the Dallas Mountaineers. ”Tell ya what, we had some trouble blocking in the first half and had to make a few adjustments. Our defense, they did it today. We knew the defense had to keep Zapoticky from getting to the outside today.”

With the win, Berwick will host Abington Heights this coming Saturday at 1 PM in the class AAA district 2 championship game. Abington Heights defeated Valley View to earn the right to come to Dawgtown.

Until next week…happy football!

Dawgs post 34-7 win over W-B Coughlin

WILKES-BARRE- The Berwick Bulldogs traveled route 11 north Friday night, making their first trip to Wilkes-Barre during the 2011 campaign. James M Coughlin would be the Dawgs opponent, who came in 7-32 against Berwick in the season series losing the last eight of nine.

Coughlin would only be down by 12, with the Dawgs leading 12-0 at the half, but the Dawgs determination again won out scoring the 34-7 victory in front of a nice crowd at W-B Memorial Stadium.

The Dawgs two touchdowns in the first half would come from sophomore sensation Andrew Force and Sr. WR Jeff Steeber. Force would keep his streak of TD catches alive with six receptions on the season, ALL six being touchdown passes. Force would cash in on a 21 yarder from Jr. QB CJ Curry and Steeber would find paydirt on a 10 yard pitch left.

Berwick would take a 20-0 lead late in the 3^rd quarter after Coughlin tried a fake punt on a 4^th and 10 at their 48 yard line. Berwick’s “D” would stand tall and turn away the Crusaders. The offense would take over at their own 44 yard line with Curry ripping off a 30 yard dash to cash just four plays later. Steeber was successful on the two point conversion and the Dawgs stretched their lead to 20.

Coughlin would finally find the scoreboard with only .27 left in the 3^rd quarter going 58 yards on nine plays with Sr. RB Hunter Bednarczyk finding the goldzone on a 14 yard jaunt.

The Dawgs would answer back with two more scores of their own with Sr. RB Matt Cashman capping an eight play drive on a 34 yard scamper and then again on a 10 play drive capped by a 24 yard scamper, with the final score Dawgs 34, Crudaders 7.

“I told the kids; Coughlin will try and break our will. That’s what they do, they try and break you. We have to force our will on them, said Coach Curry. “These kids had 12 formations they had to know for this game. We played smash mouth football tonight and got the win.”

With the win, the Dawgs have improved to 8-1 with only Hazleton Area at home next week the only game left in the regular season. The way it’s shaping up now, if Berwick could get bye Hazleton Area next week and quad A Scranton would beat Abington Heights next week. The Dawgs would be the number one seed in the district 2 AAA playoffs and would have two home games if they advanced after game one.

The Dawgs could have either Crestwood, Valley View or Dallas at home in their first playoff game the way it looks right now, but nothing is set in stone except for the Dawgs certainly playing postseason football.

Until next week…Happy football!

Sr. RB rushes for 166 yards as Berwick squeaks by Pittston Area

YATESVILLE- Pittston Area has not had the greatest luck against the Berwick Bulldogs over the years, winning only two of their previous 28 meetings. The Patriots defeated Berwick in 2003 under the tutelage of George Curry and then again in 2006 with Gary Campbell at the helm.

Tonight on a very wet field which made for a very interesting game, Pittston Area played an almost flawless contest but game up short to a determined Berwick team.

Berwick Sr. Wideout Jeff Steeber would find paydirt with only 1:13 left in the game to give Berwick the lead for good after trailing 20-15 to start the fourth quarter. Sr. DB Will Masteller sealed the deal with an interception on Pittston Area’s first play of their final possession, with the final score Dawgs 23 Pats 20.

Berwick would jump on the scoreboard quickly on their opening drive going 55 yards in only five plays with Cashman capping the drive on a four yard scamper. So. K Olivia Seely nailed the PAT with the score Dawgs 7, Pats 0.

Pittston Area would answer back early in the second quarter on a 11 play drive that covered 84 yards with Sr. WR Joe Starinsky capping the drive on a 32 yard TD reception from So. QB Kyle Gattuso. Sr. K Derrick Donoto’s PAT was good with the score Dawgs 7, Pats 7.

Starinsky, again found paydirt on another long pass from Gatusso, this time covering 51 yards to give Pittston Area their first lead of the night at the 6:03 mark of the second quarter with the score Pats 14, Dawgs 7.

The Dawgs would answer back on their very next possession after Pittston Area captured the lead as Cashman ripped off a 50 yard dash to cash. A Pats’ penalty on the PAT had Berwick now go for two as Cashman converted on the short run with the score at the half Dawgs 15, Pat 14.

Pittston Area regained the lead with 7:16 left in the third quarter on another TD reception from Starinsky, this time a 20 yard hook up from Gattuso. The Pats only needed three plays to find the goldzone after Cashman decided to tuck the ball away and run instead of punting away from his own 16 on a 4^th and 20.

“It was there a few times in the first half, but it certainly was a mistake on my part to try and gain the first down in that situation. I just was not thinking how deep I was in my own territory and if we would have lost this game, it would of been on my shoulders,” said Cashman of the fake punt.

Instead, Sr. RB Jeff Steeber would be the hero as he capped a six play drive starting at the Pittston Area 39 late in the fourth quarter on a 12 yard scamper. Berwick would regain the lead for good and with a two point conversion held a 23-20 lead with only 1:13 left in the ball game.

Will Masteller would intercept Gattuso’s first play from scrimmage as he was mobbed by his teammates, sealing the win for the Dawgs improving their record to 7-1 with just two games left in the regular season.

The Dawgs will travel to Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium next Friday night to lock horns with Wilkes-Barre Coughlin, a team that Pittston Area defeated the prior week.

Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium has been a home away from home during many of Berwick’s championship runs under Curry with one of the Dawgs’ most memorable playoff wins taking place their against Manheim Central. In a game that Berwick trailed 17-0 at the half only to come back a win 18-17 in route of another state title.

Until next week…happy football!

Dawgs gain 422 total yards in 54-14 win over Williamsport

BERWICK- It was 1994 when the Williamsport Millionaires came to Crispin Field and shocked the Dawgs, handing them their only loss of the ’94 season as the Dawgs went on to win their third state title.

Tonight was not quite the same outcome for Billport as they struggled much of the entire night suffering a 54-14 loss at the hands of the Dawgs. Berwick would score 47 points to Williamsport’s seven in the first half, which had the game open in the mercy rule to start the second half.

Jr. QB CJ Curry would pass for 203 yards with three TD’s, with So. WR Andrew Force catching two for 113 yards with two TD’s and Sr. Jake Pecorelli catching four for 70 yards with one TD.

Force has five catches on the season, all of which have ended with points. Curry joked with the media in his postgame press conference, “guess he is a homerun hitter, singles are not his game.”

Sr. RB Matt Cashman would also find the goldzone three times. One on an eight yarder, another on a 13 yarder and finally a one yarder.

Sr. WR Jeff Steeber was another to get on the scoreboard tonight, with a seven yard dash to cash and So. RB Nate Maczuga finished the scoring on the night for Berwick on a 10 yard TD rush.

The Dawgs would start the second half holding a 47-7 lead while playing under the mercy rule, which means continuous clock movement except for timeouts and change of possessions. Berwick’s first string would not see any second half action as Coach Curry started his second team and used them the entire second half.

Williamsport would score one TD in the first half, with Sr. Caleb Belle ripping off a 78 yard kick return and then another in the second half, as Fr. QB Jerah Reeves hooked up with Sr. WR Achilles Watson for a 61 yard TD pass.

With the win the Dawgs have improved to 6-1 and will travel to Yatesville next Friday night to take on Pittston Area, whom knocked off Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 38-36 in other Friday night action.

Until next week…Happy Football!

Sr. RB Matt Cashman 147 yards on 29 carries with two TD’s

By Frank Kastreva, Easternpafootball.com

SELINSGROVE- Berwick traveled route 11 south Friday evening in hopes of rebounding off a tough loss on the road last week. After suffering their first defeat of the season against rival Valley West last Friday, Berwick would look to hand the Selinsgrove Seals their first loss of the season. The Seals came into the contest 4-0 with wins against Mifflinburg, Trinity, Shikellamy and rival Shamokin. It certainly was not the best match-up for Berwick, looking to rebound, as Selinsgrove is always a top notch program and again not the easiest place to win a road game.

The Dawgs would gain the early lead going 70 yards on seven plays in their opening drive with Sr. RB Matt Cashman carrying the ball five times while Jr. QB CJ Curry carried twice on the keeper. Cashman would cap the drive on a 10 yard dash to cash.

Selinsgrove would answer back with only 47 seconds left in the first quarter going 23 yards on just four plays after an interception by Sr. DB Tyler Krebs deep in Berwick territory. Fr. RB Juvon Batts capped the short drive on a 5 yard scamper to paydirt.

Berwick would take the lead on a 27 yard field goal by So. K Olivia Seely, which capped a 10 play drive going 54 yards. Both teams would head to the break with Berwick clinging to the 10-7 lead after Seely’s boot.

The third quarter would not see any scoring with both teams struggling to find paydirt. By midway of the 4^th quarter it was looking like Seely’s field goal may just be the deciding factor with the Dawgs still holding the 10-7 lead. Berwick would then burn 5:16 off the 4^th quarter clock on a 13 play drive that ended in a punt but ran the clock down to just 2:04 remaining in the ballgame.

On Selinsgrove very first play from scrimmage after receiving the punt, Berwick Jr. DB Andrew Wenner would intercept and the Dawgs took over the pigskin at the Seals 24 yard line. Four plays later Cashman found the goldzone and the Dawgs padded their lead after Seely’s PAT, with the score Dawgs 17, Seals 7.

After the game Olivia Seely was asked what she thought of the game possibly ending at 10-7 and winning it on her foot. “I’m glad we scored, I wasn’t looking to be the game winner. It’s just fun being out here.”

Seely is the daughter of former Berwick standout Keith Seely and 1986 Boston College grad. Keith has been on the coaching staff for many moons and is one of Curry’s main cogs in the well-oiled coaching machine in Dawgtown.

“She had a soccer game this afternoon, so I waited in Berwick until it was over and then drove her down to Selinsgrove,” noted Seely of getting his sure footed daughter to the game on time. Berwick did win the soccer game 3-0, but better yet they won the football game 17-7 and improved their record to 4-1.

The Dawgs will get back to some home cooking next week as they host the Tunkhannock Tigers, until then…Happy Football!

Valley West Sr. RB rushes for 248 yards in Spartans win

KINGSTON- Derrick Simms had a career night at Spartan’s Stadium in Kingston racking up 248 yards rushing on 24 carries as the Spartans turned away previously unbeaten Berwick 33-15. The Dawgs would have their hands full right from the start having some difficulty stopping the Spartan’s run option, with Simms scoring early off the option pitch.

Berwick would have a 15-7 lead in the first quarter without any yards on offense and no first downs. Sr. RB Matt Cashman scored on a kick return of 85 yards right after the Spartans took the early 7-0 lead. The Dawgs would gain the lead on a defensive touchdown, with Jr. LB Jordan Stout going 85 yards to paydirt. It would be the first and only time Berwick would see the lead and the closest they would come to the Spartans on the night.

Valley West would take a 22-15 lead in at half time accumulating over 200 yards on the ground with 13 first downs. Berwick, on the other hand, only had 42 yards total offense and just 3 first downs in the first half.

The Spartans added to their lead in the second half with a field goal, safety and touchdown outplaying the Dawgs on route to the 33-15 win.

Valley West really took it to Berwick tonight and had a very good game plan going in from Head Coach Pat Keating. The option pitch to Simms really had the Dawgs back on their toes early, with Simms ripping off big yards.

On the defensive side of the ball the Spartans were able to shut down Cashman a bit, although Berwick was in catch up mode most of the night, which hurt the run game.

CJ Curry did not get the protection as in the past three games and was on his back quite a bit tonight. The rush from Valley West was pretty extensive and the offensive line was unable to stop the ensuing pressure.

The Dawgs were outplayed tonight, by a team that was certainly ready for them to come to town. Berwick will look to rebound next week as they travel to Selinsgrove, in what should be another tough task.

Until next week…happy football!

Curry throws for 256 yards in 50-14 win

By Frank Kastreva, Easternpafootball.com

BERWICK- If you walked by the Berwick Field House before tonight’s game at Crispin Field you might of noticed a write up hanging on the front door. The article was titled “Berwick thoroughly embarrassed by Dallas.”  Tonight that article finally came down after hanging around all of the off-season, torn down by the very players who hung it up last season after a 53-20 loss at Dallas. “That was a reminder of the beating we took last season and it felt pretty good to tear it down tonight and reverse the tables here at home,” noted Jr. QB CJ Curry.

Curry would throw for 242 yards tonight with two TD passes along with one TD via the ground, a 28 yard scamper to paydirt. Sr WR Jake Pecorelli hooked up with Curry for two TD passes, one for 51 yards and another for 54 yards.

Sr. RB Matt Cashman would rush for 104 yards on 19 carries with three TD’s. A 13 yard scamper, a 28 yarder and 9 yard dash.

Dallas would score their 14 points in the first half, keeping things close after Berwick jumped out to an early 15-0 lead.

Sr. RB Kris Roccograndi would be the first to find paydirt for the Mounts on a 58 yard dash to cash. Sr. WR Jason Simonovich also scored for Dallas on an 82 yard TD pass from Sr. QB Ryan Zapoticky, which at the time brought the Mounts within 7 points of the Dawgs, with the score 21-14. It would be the closest Dallas would come to Berwick on the night, as the Dawgs ripped off the next four TD’s without an answer from the Mounts.

“They are a tough team, they have a great quarterback and a very solid running back. They had the two big plays tonight, which kept them in the game early,”said Coach Curry of the Mounts. “We have some big playmakers showing up for us right now and our quarterback has been sharp. We seem to be picking up momentum and that’s a very important part of high school football.”

Coach Curry was asked in his post-game press conference, if he was surprised that the team has jelled so quickly. He was quick to respond “no”. “Remember, most of all these kids have fathers I have coached before. For example, the first meeting I had was scheduled for 9 am. When I walked in the weight room at 8 am all the kids were already there waiting for me, haircuts, all cleaned up and no jewelry hanging around. That’s when we started to jell, day 1.”

Berwick rolls up Tide 41-0

By Frank Kastreva, Easternpafootball.com

The Berwick Bulldogs opened at home this Friday night as the Pottsville Crimson Tide came to Dawgtown sporting their wing T offense. An offense that Berwick Head Coach George Curry has seen many times before from Tide Head Coach Pat Keating. Curry and his troops were able to prepare all week for the wing T and shut it down with perfection, putting up the shutout in a 41-0 win over rival Pottsville.

Pottsville gained only 47 total yards of offense in the first half with only three first downs. Berwick, on the other hand, would find the goldzone four times with scores from Sr. WR Jeff Steeber, Sr. WR Jake Pecorelli and Sr. RB Back Matt Cashman.   Jr. QB CJ Curry accumulated 231 yards passing in the first half, ending the game with 252 yards in the air. Cashman would accumulate 110 yards rushing on 21 carries in the game. Pecorelli had 133 yards on just two receptions and Steeber had 69 yards receiving on four receptions. Steeber also added 33 yards rushing on two carries and Pecorelli added 11 yards on the ground.

Steeber would add another score for the Dawgs in the second half along with Andrew Force who found paydirt on a 26 yard strike from Curry to end the scoring on the night.

The Dawgs’ second string defense also got a chance to play a part in tonight’s game, stopping the Tides’ first team offense in a late drive, keeping the shutout alive. As Berwick fans chanted, “Curry’s back.”

“We practiced stopping the wing T all week,” said Coach Curry. “We were very confident that we could stop their run game, knowing that was key in getting the win. The guys really did a great job preparing for tonight’s match-up and it certainly showed.”

QB Curry was prepared to go to the air and  hooked up with Pecorelli for two huge pass plays. “We knew they would be keying on Cashman tonight after the big game at Crestwood last week, so I expected to pass the ball a bit tonight. The line gave me great protection and in turn we were able to get some yards in the air,” noted QB Curry.

Pecorelli has been a big play maker for the Dawgs in the early season, hauling in some huge pass plays from Curry and seems to be a go to guy for the junior QB. “We have been friends since grade school,” noted Pecorelli. “We really have a good rhythm together and seem to know what each other is thinking, which certainly helps executing big plays.”

“We have good team speed and get to the ball quick,” noted Coach Curry. “Tonight we gang tackled and stopped the east to west running by taking their guards out of the game. Again, we were very confident we could shut down their offense.”

Berwick now moves to 2-0 on the season and will get Dallas next Friday night at Crispin Field. After talking to Coach Curry after the game, I got a chance to ask him when he will start thinking about Dallas. “About 5:30 am on Saturday morning, the field house is again my home here at Berwick. That’s where I spend most of my time. I’m so keyed up of late, it doesn’t even seem like I left.”

Sr. RB Matt Cashman rushes for 285 yards in 48-21 win

By Frank Kastreva, Easternpafootball.com

The Berwick Bulldogs kicked off their 2011 campaign scoring quickly in their opener at Crestwood High School in Mountaintop Friday night. The Dawgs would score in their first drive needing only four plays along with two Crestwood penalties to march 69 yards to paydirt. Sr. RB Matt Cashman capped off the drive on a 32 yard scamper. So. K. Olivia Seely nailed the PAT and Berwick never looked back, recording a 48-21 win over the Comets.

Senior running back Matt Cashman had a huge night coming only 20 yards away from tying Berwick’s all-time rushing record of 305 yards set by Mike Graybeal in 1975. Brant Quick also recorded 303 yards against Coughlin at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium in 2004.

“I had no clue how many yards I had in the game, but it certainly is nice to be in that kind of company,” noted Cashman after talking with the media at the end of the night.

Berwick had the contest in hand much of the night and Cashman actually did not play the entire game as Coach Curry sat most of his starters half way through the fourth quarter.

The Dawgs second score would come at the end of the first quarter going 89 yards on 12 plays. Cashman carried the bulk of the load during the drive with six rushes. Jr. QB CJ Curry would cap the drive on a ten yard keeper to paydirt.

Berwick again found the goldzone after a fumble recovery by Sr. DE Brandon Dalberto thanks to the strip by Sr. OL Ray Grasley. Cashman capped the short drive on a four yard dash to cash.

The Dawgs found the scoreboard once again on their next possession after a turnover on downs by the Comets. Curry completed to Sr. WR Jake Pecorelli for a 50 yard pass play to paydirt. The two point conversion was good with the score 27-0 at the 7:49 mark of the second quarter.

Crestwood finally got on the scoreboard at the 3:05 mark of the second quarter on a 45 yard interception return by So. LB Frank Aigeldinger. Berwick and Cashman would answer right back with the Dawgs running back ripping off a 70 yard rush to Crestwood’s 18 yard line. Two plays later Pecorelli completed the drive on a five yard dash. Seely nailed the PAT to make the score Berwick 34, Comets 7.

Crestwood started the second half scoring on their opening drive going 64 yards on nine plays, with Sr. RB Evan Callaghan capping things off on a one-yard rush.

The Dawgs tacked on two more scores before the end of the contest with Pecorelli scoring on an eight yard scamper and then on a 32 yard pass play from Curry. Sr. DL Adam Harrison also recovered a fumble to set up one of the scoring drives.

Crestwood was the last to strike paydirt late in the fourth quarter with Aigeldinger hauling in a 51 yarder, with the final score Dawgs 48, Comets 21.
Cashman was quick to praise his offensive line for the huge chucks of yards picked up on the ground tonight. In the first quarter Cashman had already recorded 86 yards on the ground and in the first half had 181 yards.

As for Coach Curry, he chuckled with the media a bit after the game, admitting he was nervous before the start. “It was like I was starting all over again, I felt like a kid. I have to admit I could barely stand waiting for thing to start. It kind of felt like it was the first game I ever coached.”

Berwick will open things at home next Friday night as Pottsville comes to Dawgtown. Get there early…it will be a dandy. Until then…Happy Football!

By Frank Kastreva,
Easternpafootball.com

The deep green grass that once covered what some say is “the place the football gods sleep” is gone, replaced with a more durable, stronger surface.  Years back, by the time November came around the surface at Crispin Field was pretty much beat up, but the “DAWGS” roaming that field on the other hand were just tuning up. Ready for another playoff run under the tutelage of “The General”, Pennsylvania’s all-time win leader and icon in the high school football world.

Crispin Field home of the Berwick Bulldogs and 6 state titles has not quite been the same over the past few years and the hoopla that once followed the storied program from “Dawg Town” has certainly been on a lesser level. Wins have been tough to come by on a regular basis and the “Berwick Swagger” that once flowed through town like a rushing river has dried up a bit.

Well, if your glass be empty, may it fill again! By George, he’s back!  George Curry is returning as the head football coach at Berwick High School. And for a football program that put Berwick on the map, there could not be any better news. Administration at Berwick announced after a meeting Monday evening that Curry will coach on an interim basis for the 2012 season.

The buzz coming out of Berwick is major, all I have spoken to are very excited and I would expect the town to be buzzing from now to opening night. Long lines are back in Berwick and I’m not talking about the local super market.

Curry will have his work cut out for himself, but he won’t have to worry about getting lost making it to the field house or finding his way around town. Berwick is Curry’s home and when he’s coaching Berwick Football home is normally the field house. There are not many in the business that put as much time in as Curry and he expects as much from his players. It won’t be a picnic for many, but winning will be more of the norm if all buys in.

Vince Lombardi once said “winning is contagious and so is losing.” If you’re a true sports fan you know how true that statement is. It’s time to go old school Berwick fans, bring back the ribbons and bows, hang out that “Fire Up Dawgs” sign, let that siren blow, how about dawning those red socks during a playoff run once again. Where are those white helmets, we still got, break em out.

Berwick football will again be the main story in the coming season. Curry will have a chance to coach is grandson, who was the back-up QB last season. The son of Coz Curry, who I expect will be helping dad out again as in the old days.

The Dawg’s schedule is not quite as strong as it was in years past, not sure if that will be a good or bad thing for Curry. We all know George always approves of a very strong schedule. To be the best you have to beat the best.

I’m sure if you spoke to Curry, he expects to win and he will be instilling that attitude in to his players right from the start. Attitude is half the battle and bringing back that winning tradition comes with the right attitude.

I have been watching Berwick football for many years, making my way up river during Curry’s stent at Valley West and enjoyed calling many of the games with George at the helm in Kingston. But the Friday nights that I spent watching the Dawgs at Crispin Field are my finest memories. That day George stepped away was a tough time for me and many others, it kind of felt like something died in me. Like and empty space was left. For the first time in many years, that space is again filled.

STIR UP THE ECHOES!!

You can follow Frank Kastreva this season at easternpafootball.com with Berwick Wrap-ups each week starting with media day this coming summer.