Harrisburg vs. Valley West (Scrimmage)

 The battle of George, Spartans vs. Cougars

Curry and Chaump match up squads in hard hitting scrimmage

By Frank Kastreva, WVCD2.com

MOUNTAINTOP- George Chaump and his Harrisburg Cougars football squad rolled into Mountaintop this morning for their last scrimmage of 2008. They would take on the Wyoming Valley West Spartans, who last season traveled to Harrisburg and were outmatch a bit by the big quad A school.

Chaump, who is in his early 70’s has coach at Marshall University, from 1986-89 and Navy from 90-94. He also coach in the NFL as a running back coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Anytime you can match up some old school football coaches with some talented athletes, its a treat and today was just that. Tasty, for some hungry football fans.

The scrimmage would have quite a bit of good hitting, there were a few testy times and the intensity was very good for a scrimmage. It didn’t take to long for both teams to feel each other out and decide they didn’t like each other.

Valley West and Sr. RB Dave Ryncavage would find the gold zone on the first series, but a penalty flag on a weak hold would negate the screen play that went 40 yards to paydirt.

The Spartans defense was stellar on Harrisburg’s first series of ten plays, only allowing a net ten yards. The defense would record two sacks, with Harrisburg recording only one first down, a ten yard pass on their opening play.

Harrisburg would score on their next series during a broken play, with the QB going about 40 yards to paydirt on the keeper.

The Cougars would, again find paydirt on their next series of ten plays. This time, a long pass play of about 50 yards or so.

Valley West would rally on their next ten plays. With the first team of both squads still in, the Spartans would find the gold zone twice.

So. RB George Simms broke free on a option from Sr. QB Jack Crossin to set the Spartans up for their first score at Harrisburg’s 5 yard line. From their, two runs from Ryncavage capped the drive.

The Spartans next score would come with Crossin running the bootleg and scampering down field. Just right as he was to be tackled at about the 20 yard line, he pitches the ball back to Jr. WR Rasheed Williams and Rasheed takes its the rest of the way.

That play highlighted the scrimmage and would be the last score for either first team offense.

Not a bad scrimmage for the Spartans, who really hung in with Harrisburg and really played better then the Cougars. If it wasn’t for the two big plays from Harrisburg, they would not of had many total yards. Those two big plays, sent them over 100 yards, but other then that, not much.

“We played them tough today, and we rested a starter or two here today. That’s a tough Harrisburg team and we didn’t give up much, “said coach Curry after a warm day on the gridiron.

Looks like Valley West is certainly ready for the 2008 regular season. They really have had the best two scrimmages since Curry has been at the helm and they look confident, not cocky but confident.

The Spartans will host the Scranton Knights this coming Friday night. If all goes well, the game will be played at Spartans Stadium on the new surface, but there is no guarantee the field will be ready.

If the field is not ready, it looks like Pittston Area’s field will be the Spartans home gridiron this coming Friday night.