TURTLE CREEK — Penn Trafford’s season did not start the way that the team envisioned as the Warriors dropped the first two games of the season while only mustering up one touchdown between the two contests. The Warriors’ third game of the season came against an upbeat Woodland Hills Wolverines team and behind a fierce rushing attack, the Warriors battled their way to their first win of the season as they downed the Wolverines 28-26.
After leading 21-0 at the halftime intermission, the Warriors’ lead dwindled down to just two points late in the fourth. A bad exchange between the Wolverines’ quarterback and center resulted in a game-winning fumble recovery for the Warriors. For a while in the second half, it seemed like it was the Wolverines’ game to win even though the Warriors held the lead for the entire game.
“We know that we are always in the game no matter what,” said Penn Trafford’s Zachary Tomosovich to PSN after the game. “Even with the score that it was, we’re still in the game, we’re still fighting. We just need that one little play or that one little pancake [block] and we are back in it.”
While the Warriors’ Tasso Whipple scored three times and racked up 220 total yards, the success on the ground came because of the guys in the trenches such as Tomosovich. Last week against a tough McKeesport defense, the Warriors were limited to less than 70 rushing yards, and a change was needed as the team headed into Week 2.
According to Tomosovich, the Warriors’ offensive unit really flipped a switch coming into the week.
“I feel like the o-line, the [halfbacks], the tight ends really started to root hog and get down in there to control the line of scrimmage,” Tomosovich said.
From the press box, it was evident that Tomosovich was the biggest player on the field for either team. His 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame allowed him to cause havoc on both the offensive and defensive line all throughout the game. Thanks to his size and play, Tomosovich is headed off to West Point after this season to play Division 1 football at Army.
Tomosovich committed to Army earlier this summer and could not be happier with his decision as he said the thought of joining the service has always been in his head. Another driving force behind his decision to commit to Army was the coaches, specifically his two future offensive line coaches.
“The connection is great,” said Tomosovich. “Coach [Mike] Viti and coach [Matt] Drinkall, I love them, they are awesome. Both of them are my [offensive] line coaches and it is amazing. I’ve always wanted to go into the military, I just didn’t know how to so when that opportunity arose, I took it.”
While it seems like both parties are happy with Tomosovich’s college decision, the senior lineman still wants to improve in some areas.
“Personally, I want to work on my speed and agility, maybe my pass pro a little bit but other than that I think that I am in good shape,” Tomosovich said.
The high school football season is still fresh and with section play starting up, the Warriors and Tomosovich will look to keep the wins coming after they collected their first one of the season on Friday night.
