To truly make a football rivalry it requires competitive balance between the two opponents. Since Berks Catholic and Wyomissing added the Keeley-Wolfrum Trophy to signify the champion of the Berks Football League “Backyard Brawl” each team had captured the Trophy twice. It seems a bit secondary, but the outright Section Two Title is usually also on the line when these two schools, that are barely a mile apart, square off in the last week of the regular season. In a tough, hard fought battle, Berks Catholic (9-1) jumped out to a quick lead and hung on for a 21-12 victory over Wyomissing Area (7-3) in Wyomissing Saturday afternoon.
Marcus Wilson led the Saints on both sides of the ball. A stalwart Berks Catholic defensive effort led by Marcus turned away the Spartans from TD’s on several drives. Wilson was also the leading rusher for BC and scored on two short TD runs.
Legendary Berks Catholic Head Coach Rick Keeley was proud of his teams performance, “We are going to enjoy this tonight. We are going to enjoy this weekend. Our goal this year is to get to Hershey. We have been pretty good at it. Let’s see if we can do it again.” Marcus Wilson said, ” The game was a battle straight from the get go. I am extremely proud of our team especially my linemen. We pulled it out!”
Berks Catholic took advantage of an early Wyomissing turnover to get on the board first. Trevor Leamer’s interception deep in the Spartan end led to a Marcus Wilson two-yard TD and a 7-0 lead at the 6:38 mark of quarter one. That was the only scoring in the first quarter.
Wyomissing got the ball to start the second quarter and mounted a long, time-consuming drive. The Spartans drive stalled deep in BC territory. A 27-yard FG was put through by Conner Mendel and it was 7-3 with 8:45 till half. Berks Catholic took the kick and marched right down the field in the most impressive drive of the game. Marcus Wilson’s second TD run made it 14-3 Saints with 5:46 till half. Late in the quarter, Wyomissing got the ball with good field position. Again the BC defense bent but did not break. Another Conner Mendal FG this time from 22 yards made the score 14-6 which is how the half ended.
The third quarter began as a defensive stalemate. Neither team was able to mount much offense. Finally Wyomissing mounted a drive after taking advantage of a poor BC punt. Wyomissing punched it across for a TD. Brandon Westwood’s score got it to 14-12. The Spartans bid for a tying two-pointer failed.
Berks Catholic would answer back. A powerful drive ended with a diving end run TD by Brandon George. With 4:30 left, the Saints held a 21-12 advantage.
The ensuing kick off was taken deep into BC territory by Spartan Brandon Westwood. Wyomissing moved the ball as far as the Saints 22. There the Berks Catholic defense made the stand of the year to stop the Spartans right there. After taking over on downs, the Berks Catholic offense burned off the rest of the game clock. This hard fought game ended with Berks Catholic besting their cross town rival 21-12.
Both teams are high seeds and will host games next week in the District Three playoffs. Berks Catholic will host East Pennsboro Friday Night. Wyomissing’s home game is against Bermudian Springs Saturday at 1.
