Football
Wildcats sink Yachtsmen, 42-20
By Deb Bradburn
The York Wildcats doused the Falmouth Yachtsmen, winning 42 to 20 in their most recent game on Saturday, Oct.21. Pictured here are Nick Mercurio (31), Ian Bond (87) Tom Ross (30), Jake Moran (78) and Al Blomquist (8).
Photo by Sherry DaBiere
YORK - Sophomore starting quarterback Evan Wallace was all smiles after the Wildcats beat the Falmouth Yachtsmen, 42-20.
"Now that was fun," he said. "We came out flying from the start. Our line was great tonight. I hardly got touched."
Falmouth, known for their crisp running game and their ability to throw, never seemed to be able to gel against York's aggressive defense. Passes were intercepted, balls were fumbled and first downs were too tough to come by, which made for a long night for the Falmouth seniors being honored on Saturday.
Senior Wildcats Captain Tom Ross agreed, and credited Wallace for stepping up and taking control of the offense. York managed to score four touchdowns within the first 10 minutes of regulation play. This scoring rampage started with Wallace utilizing the speed and agility of senior running back Zack Pruger to march the ball down the field. Pruger, in a series of first downs, carried the ball to within five yards of the goal line. Fellow running back Jon Jiminez powered straight through the middle for York's first TD. Last week's game-winning field goal kicker, Ryan MacGlashing, added the point after, and York led Falmouth 7-0 with 7:42 left in the first quarter.
MacGlashing's kickoff sailed deep into Falmouth territory, and was muffed by the returning team at the five yard line following pressure from York's Greg Lipton. The ball ended up being tipped into the endzone for a touchback, which brought the ball to the Falmouth 20 yard line. The Yachtsman turned to their key running back Nick Ford, but were only able to pick up five yards in the series before their punt team took the field. Falmouth's poor punt gave York great field position as they took over on the Falmouth 36 yard line.
On their first play of the drive, Wallace welcomed back to the team, after a three-week absence, senior Captain Tony Romano with a 36-yard touchdown reception. MacGlashing tacked on the extra point with 6:01 on the clock, with the score York 14, Falmouth 0.
The first quarter still had plenty of action to come. Falmouth's receiving team once again had trouble holding onto the football, fumbled, and Jiminez recovered the ball for York at the Falmouth 41 yard line. Wasting no time, 18 seconds after their last score, Pruger zig-zagged his way 41 yards and into the endzone. MacGlashing did his thing; York's lead grew to 21 with over five minutes still remaining in the first quarter.
Falmouth's luck didn't change. The return man for Falmouth was brought down hard by Ross and Ray Gauthier knocking him out of bounds at the Falmouth 31 yard line. Next, a pass intended for a Falmouth receiver was picked off by a diving Sunny Sala. After a series of short runs from Pruger, Wallace changed the focus and took to the air. Wallace successfully completed a 21-yard pass down field to tight end Al Blomquist. Wallace connected with Blomquist again for a 26-yard touchdown reception, and added another six points for the Wildcats. With a successful P.A.T. by MacGlashing, York ended the first quarter in the lead, 28-0.
Pruger commented, "It was great coming out with 28 points in the first quarter. The offensive line has opened holes for me all year long, tonight was no different."
York's starting front line of Jake Moran, Gene Jones, Tim Jones, Ryan Vokey and Matt Day shared action with Ross and Nate Willette, who interchanged positions and stepped in as needed.
In the second quarter Falmouth's quarterback Stephano Mancini went to the air. Mancini connected with tight end Brady Frost to put the Yachtsman on the scoreboard; the 2 point conversion, however, was broken up by senior Dan Moran.
On York's next four series, Jiminez and Pruger advanced the ball down the field. Wallace pushed through the line on quarterback keeper from the four for the score, capping a 54-yard drive. MacGlashing kicked the PAT. York went into halftime leading 35-6.
In the second half, Coach Randy Small rotated in some of his younger players, varsity players seeing limited action, where as Falmouth chose to keep their starters in for the remainder of the game. Falmouth's Ford, with the potential to reach the 1,000-yard mark rushing, was stopped several times by Sala and Mecurio. Dan Moran and Joey Hampton also had key stops as the Yachtsman failed to reach the end zone in the third quarter.
In the final quarter, Ford made several rushing attempts in the next three series, bringing the ball to the three yard line where Chip Clement ran it in for the touchdown. Falmouth's attempt at the two-point conversion was broken up by Pruger.
Wallace and Jiminez alternated in at quarterback during the final quarter. Wallace handed off to Jiminez, who ran the ball 19 yards. Pruger followed with a run of 15 yards, and Jiminez finished the drive off with a 38-yard touchdown run. MacGlashing's kick was good, leaving him six for six for the night.
The game finished off with many York freshmen seeing playing time. Falmouth's Chris Floridino scored on a nine-yard run, and a pass from Mancini to Frost was good for two, leaving the final score York 42, Falmouth 20.
Before leaving the field, classy Coach Small made sure to thank the very high spirited "Trash Can Band" and the loyal York fans for providing the never ending cheering during the game.
"As for the next week," contemplated Captain Eugene Jones, "We'll have a tough week of practice to be ready for Wells. They play smash-mouth football just like we do. We'll be ready. Wells is tough, but we'll make them fight for every inch."
The next game is important to both Wells and York as the outcome will determine their standings in regard to the play-offs. Join the Wildcats for their final regular season game at home on Friday night at 7 p.m.
Bradburn's supporting cast of York fans in the bleachers contributed to this report.
