“We had to slow down one of the best running backs in the state, we knew we weren’t going to stop him.” Wilson West Lawn Coach Doug Dahms, just minutes before his Bulldogs took on the defending AA state champion Lancaster Catholic Crusaders and top PA running back Roman Clay. Mission accomplished. Sort of. Clay did manage 117 yards on 18 carries but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs defeated the Crusaders 14-7.
In a game that that was marred with penalties throughout the night, Wilson struck first. Only it wasn’t their offense that drew first blood. Linebacker Junior Joseph threw Crusader quarterback Evan Purvis to the ground for a 12 yard loss on the first series of the game, a sign of what was in store for the quarterback who struggled all night to connect with his receivers. The teams traded possessions and once again the Wilson defense would harass Purvis, this time sacking him twice. “All across the board they had a great night, Joseph (2 sacks, 7 tackles), Madison Miller (8 tackles, 20 for loss), Dominic Moyer (7tackles, 1 for loss) and Matt Rothrock (5 tackles, 1 sack) played their hearts out” said Dahms.
With the ball at their own 40, West Lawn finally managed to get their offense on track. Junior running back Jim Brooks had rushes of 4, 3, 28 and a 5 yard touchdown run on the series. Hunter Rubright kicked the point after to give Wilson the 7-0 lead with 1:43 to go in the first quarter.
Lancaster answered quickly. Clay carried the ball from the 35 to the Wilson 44 on 2 carries, then Purvis finally found the mark hitting receiver Sean Titus in stride for the long td pass. Purvis would kick the point after to tie the score at 7.
With 6:20 left in the half, the Crusaders were once forced to punt. Brooks fielded the punt at the Bulldog 47 and a few nice moves put him in the clear and on his way to the endzone. Wilson West Lawn took a 14-7 lead into half time.
The second half would be a defensive, penalty marred half of football. The defending AA champs had only one shot to tie the game in the half. With the ball at the Wilson West Lawn one yard line, their starting quarterback injured on the sidelines and the score 14-7 in favor of the Crusaders with just over 10 minute to play, Roman Clay tried three times in “wildcat formation” to get into the endzone. He didn’t make it. “That goal line stand was huge, enormous. We knew they (Lancaster Catholic) had a good back up qb but we also figured they’d try to get the ball to Clay” said Wilson linebacker Junior Joseph.
