EASTON – Pen Argyl capitalized on turnovers, controlled the game defensively and received a pair of touchdown runs from Christopher Crespo as the Green Knights defeated Wilson Area 32-8.
The Green Knights jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage and built the lead to 24-8 by halftime before shutting out the Warriors over the final two quarters.
Pen Argyl’s defense helped set the tone immediately. Joseph Pysher intercepted a Wilson pass at the Warriors’ 35-yard line with 10:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Less than a minute later, Crespo took an inside reverse 34 yards for a touchdown. Reid Kotulka converted the extra point to give the Green Knights a 7-0 lead with 9:29 remaining.
Another turnover quickly gave Pen Argyl an opportunity to add to its advantage. Bennett Ceraul intercepted a pass, and on the first play of the ensuing possession, Pen Argyl struck for a 29-yard touchdown pass to Joey Kratz. Kotulka’s extra point made it 14-0 with six minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
The Green Knights’ defense delivered again late in the first, stopping Wilson on fourth-and-1 at the Pen Argyl 18-yard line to preserve the two-touchdown advantage.
Pen Argyl continued to control the game in the second quarter.
Crespo broke off a 20-yard run to help move the Green Knights inside the Wilson 10 before Anthony Beltran finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Kotulka’s extra point extended the lead to 21-0 with 8:21 remaining in the half.
Pen Argyl immediately regained possession when James Accatino recovered an onside kick.
The Green Knights turned that opportunity into three more points when Kotulka connected on a 25-yard field goal with 4:46 remaining, increasing the lead to 24-0.
Wilson finally broke through late in the half.
Quarterback Matthew Piparato helped keep the drive alive with a 33-yard run on third-and-17. Ryan Bonham then took a direct snap and scored on a 13-yard run with one minute remaining. Bonham also ran in the two-point conversion, cutting Pen Argyl’s lead to 24-8.
Naji Pendola recovered a Pen Argyl fumble later in the quarter, but the Green Knights still held the 24-8 advantage into halftime.
Crespo provided another explosive play early in the third quarter.
He scored his second touchdown on another inside reverse, this time racing 10 yards into the end zone with 8:54 remaining. Accatino ran in the two-point conversion to extend Pen Argyl’s lead to 32-8.
Wilson continued to battle. Christian Samayoa produced a 47-yard kickoff return, and Pendola came up with another fumble recovery to give the Warriors favorable field position. Pen Argyl’s defense, however, stopped Wilson on fourth down to prevent the Warriors from cutting into the lead.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
Wilson’s defense stopped Pen Argyl on fourth-and-goal with 8:15 remaining, and Bryson Wolf intercepted a pass at the Warriors’ 10-yard line with 3:55 left.
Pen Argyl’s defense had the final takeaway of the night when Michael Webber recovered a Wilson fumble with 1:53 remaining.
Turnovers and timely defensive stops played a major role for the Green Knights. Pen Argyl intercepted two passes in the opening quarter, recovered an onside kick in the second and added a fumble recovery late in the fourth.
Crespo supplied the big plays offensively with touchdown runs of 34 and 10 yards, while Beltran added a rushing touchdown and Pysher caught a 29-yard scoring pass. Kotulka contributed three extra points and a 25-yard field goal.
After Wilson cut the deficit to 24-8 shortly before halftime, Pen Argyl’s defense kept the Warriors off the scoreboard for the entire second half, allowing the Green Knights to finish off a 32-8 victory.
Scoring summary:
FINAL: Pen Argyl 32, Wilson 8
| Teams | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Pen Argyl (2-4) | 14 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 32 |
| Wilson Area (1-5) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
1st Quarter:
PA – Christopher Crespo 34 yard run (Reid Kotulka kick good) 9:29
PA – Joey Pysher 29 yard catch from Blake Mutchler (Reid Kotulka kick good) 6:00
2nd Quarter:
PA – Anthony Beltran 1 yard run (Reid Kotulka kick good) 8:21
PA – Reid Kotulka kicks 25-yard field goal 4:46
WA – Ryan Bonham 13 yard run 1:00
3rd Quarter:
PA – Christopher Crespo 10 yard run (James Accatino 2-point conversion good) 8:54
Stars of the game:
Pen Argyl:
Anthony Beltran rushed for 102 yards on 21 carries and a TD
Christopher Crespo rushed for 85 yards on six carries and 2 TDs
Joey Kratz caught two passes for 56 yards and a TD
Wilson Area:
Matthew Piparato 41 yards passing
Ryan Bonham 65 yards rushing
Jayden Rapoli 22 yards receiving