LITITZ – The best thing about the postseason is the non-traditional matchups. Saturday night showcased one of those games when New Oxford from the YAIAA met up with Warwick of the Lancaster-Lebanon League in the District Three 5A Semifinal game. A COVID closure at Warwick High complicated matters and moved the game from Friday to Saturday. Warwick persevered from the distraction and advanced to the District Three title game for the first time in school history by downing the Colonials 14-12.
“The kids hung in, I’ve got to give them credit for that,” said Warwick Head Coach Bob Locker. “Physically we played hard right till the end of the game.” Warwick entered Saturday’s game not having practiced since Tuesday because of COVID situations at Warwick High School.
Here we go! @CVSDathletics strikes quickly QB Connor Beans hits Connor Herring for a 35 yard score! 6-0 over @WarwickFB 10:07 quarter one @WarwickWarriors @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @small_play @piaadistrict3 pic.twitter.com/QMHznlihQX
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
The New Oxford Defense held Warwick to a three and out. The ensuing Colonial possession resulted in another first-quarter TD
Beans to Herring 7 yards this time for @CVSDathletics A 2 pointer is again no good but it’s 12-0 over @WarwickFB 6:17 quarter one @piaadistrict3 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @small_play @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/Ifkfjge90g
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
Warwick finally mounted a drive at the end of quarter one and cashed in as quarter two started.
Here comes @WarwickFB Colton Miller in on the first play of quarter two but @CVSDathletics holds a 12-7 lead @piaadistrict3 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @small_play @CaryMoyer @WarwickWarriors pic.twitter.com/sXuyuBDP9K
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
Warwick mounted another drive and took the lead just before halftime.
This nice hookup from @WarwickFB QB Joey McCraken to Caleb Schmitz sets up a short TD by Colton Miller. @WarwickWarriors now up 14-12 over @CVSDathletics as we go to halftime of the @piaadistrict3 5A Semifinal @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/HywhC6Zd5H
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
The third quarter was dominated by the Defenses. New Oxford held out Warwick at its own goal line as we went to the fourth quarter.
The 3rd quarter all Defense. As we start quarter 4 @CVSDathletics a HUGE goal line stand! @WarwickFB still leads 14-12 11:15 left @piaadistrict3 5A semifinal @YAscores @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @small_play @WarwickWarriors pic.twitter.com/0e5oRd4pCm
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
New Oxford drove deep in Warwick territory. This INT preserved the Warriors 14-12 win and sent them to the District Championship game for the first time in school history.
@CVSDathletics tried the “New Oxford Special” but @WarwickWarriors Adam Martin with the end zone INT. @WarwickFB still leads 14-13 5:30 left @piaadistrict3 5A semifinal @YAscores @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @small_play pic.twitter.com/MkzgqNJSYt
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020
HUGE conversion by @WarwickFB on a 4th and three with 2:03 left @WarwickWarriors hang on to beat @CVSDathletics 14-12 in the @piaadistrict3 5A semifinal. Warriors face @GMSDAthletics for the 5A title! @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @YAscores @small_play pic.twitter.com/pKzenevoGj
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 8, 2020