WPIAL
Penn Trafford Escapes Comeback Attempt Against Woodland Hills; 28-26
TURTLE CREEK — Coming into Friday night’s game between the Penn Trafford Warriors (0-2) and the Woodland Hills Wolverines (1-1), most thought that the Wolverines would dominate the Warriors on their home turf. This thought existed mainly due to the beatdown that the Wolverines gave Gateway a week ago and the Warriors’ struggles out of the gate. The game went about as opposite as it could for both teams.
On the opening kickoff, this seemed to be true as the Wolverines’ Amere Brown returned the kick to the Warriors’ 45-yard line. After a delay of game penalty, the Wolverines’ opening drive stalled at the 27-yard line and the team opted to punt the ball away.
The Warriors opened their night offensively with a heavy dose of Tasso Whipple as he racked up runs of 23 yards and 14 yards which eventually led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Ben Grabowski.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Wolverines fumbled and lost possession of the ball. This mistake turned into a 21-yard touchdown reception by Whipple as Jonny Lovre found him wide-open on a wheel route out of the backfield. This score extended the Warriors’ lead to 14 points.
The Warriors pushed the score to 21-0 before halftime after Whipple powered his way into the endzone for a 9-yard rushing score.
The Wolverines started the second half with two quick scores to bring the score back to 21-13 but just three plays later, Whipple housed his third score of the night, this time from 41 yards out. Woodland Hills did not go away quietly as by the middle of the fourth quarter, the Warriors’ lead dwindled to 28-26.
The Wolverines had their chance to take the lead after taking over at their own 12-yard line with 2:04 left to go but that opportunity ended as Walter fumbled the exchange and the Warriors recovered at their own 42-yard line.
Next week, the Warriors play host to five-star recruit Quinton Martin and Belle Vernon as Woodland Hills travels to take on North Hills.
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