[Football] Offensive Explosion Leads to Big Win for Williamson
Trying to shake off the sting of a last week's loss, the Williamson football team needed to come out with a big effort in their game against the University of Pittsburgh's club team to get things headed back in the right direction. That effort was there on all three sides of the ball on Saturday afternoon, as the Mechanics rolled to a 63-35 win over the Panthers.
After Williamson's defense forced Pittsburgh to punt on their opening possession, their offense went 67 yards in five plays, capped off by a 33-yard pass from Jack Grace (SR/Ridley, PA) to Garrett Watkins (JR/Mechanicsville, MD) to put the Mechanics up 7-0. It did not take Williamson long to strike again, as they went 62 yards in four plays their next possession, this time capped off by a nifty 54-yard run by Nazaire Miller (JR/Wilmington, DE) to put them up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
On Pitt's next possession, Joe Kelly (JR/Newtown Square, PA) forced a strip-sack and Chris Meiklejohn (JR/Marple Newtown, PA) recovered the loose ball. Two plays and 27 yards later, Kaleb Glynn (JR/Wilmington, DE) capped things off with a 1-yard touchdown run. Williamson would then increase their lead to 27-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Miller before Pitt got on the board off a 52-yard pass from Brandon Taylor to Isaiah Wiggins to close to within 27-7. Williamson would the put together their third drive of more than 60 yards in the first half, going 66-yards on 6 plays, this time capped off by another touchdown reception by Watkins, this time coming from quarterback Jack Grace.
Pitt did not back down and scored again with just 57 seconds left in the half off a 5-yard run by Brandon Taylor. Unfortunately for Panther fans, 57 seconds left was 31 seconds too long, as Williamson used a 56-yard kick return from Miller to get great field position. Two plays later, Rodgers found Luke Van Auken (SR/Haddon Heights, NJ) for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the half to put The Mechanics up 41-14 at the break.
Williamson scored 21 points in the third quarter to just seven for the Panthers. Williamson got TDs from James Williams (JR/Lancaster, PA) on a 6-yard touchdown run, Nasir Bowman (JR/Philadelphia, PA) on a highlight reel 38-yard touchdown run and a 22-yard TD scamper by Javont Daniels (FR/Woodlynne, NJ). Pitt scored on a 36-yard pass from Taylor to Michael Marchese. Pitt added two fourth quarter touchdown to make the final 63-35.
Despite playing with a rebuilt offensive line due to two starters being out due to injury, Williamson still managed to rush for 392 yards on 44 carries. Running back Nazaire Miller led the way with 126 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns, while fellow running back James Williams added 97 yards and a score. Quarterbacks Jack Grace and Ryan Rogers both passed for 65 yards apiece, with Grace passing for one touchdown and Rodgers for two. Garrett Watkins had three receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Kevin Mayoros (FR/Aston, PA) led the Williamson defense with five tackles, while Jordan Griffin (SR/Germantown, PA) had four tackles, a sack and two hurries. Joe Kelly had three tackles, two sacks, two hurries and a forced fumble. Cooper Conroy (FR/Broomall, PA) and Brandon Jessup (SR/Wilmington, DE) added interceptions for the Mechanics.
Pitt quarterback Brandon Taylor had a spectacular day, going 22-30 for 414 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Williamson moves to 2-2 on the year. They next host the New Jersey Warriors next Saturday, October 15 for Homecoming. The game is a 1:00 P.M. start.