Derek Derenzo (12) hands the ball off to John Lutsky (0) during a Schuylkill League Division II football contest on Friday night (photo by Kelly Wiley)
Ground attack carries Vikings to victory
MINERSVILLE — When it came down to the most crucial moment of the game, Williams Valley head coach Frank Gaffney had little to say to his players other than calling an offensive play on second down in overtime.
The play worked, as the Vikings defeated Minersville, 36-34, in overtime on Homecoming Friday night in a Schuylkill League Division II contest at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Minersville (1-6, 0-4 D-II) gave Williams Valley (6-1, 4-0) all it could handle, scoring first and trading blows with the favored Vikings throughout the game.
The Battlin’ Miners struck first when John Lutsky broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Jordan Bowers added the extra point to give Minersville a 7-0 lead.
Williams Valley answered when Trevon Bair scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion gave the Vikings an 8-7 advantage with 6:37 remaining in the first half.
With just over a minute remaining before halftime, Minersville’s defense delivered a big play. Derek Derenzo intercepted a pass from Cayden Witmer and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Bowers converted the extra point to give the Battlin’ Miners a 14-8 lead heading into the Homecoming ceremonies.
Senior Caty Ilsley was crowned Homecoming queen. Donations collected during the festivities benefited the Minersville Scholarship Fund, which has assisted more than 500 students and awarded over $400,000 to help them pursue their goals after high school.
During the halftime festivities, Gaffney reminded his trailing Vikings that the challenges they faced on the field were much like the challenges they would encounter in life.
“You’re gonna face adversity whether you’re a father, life, marriage,” Gaffney said. “Gotta figure out, gotta find a way.”
Williams Valley found a way in the second half. An interception by Mason Bowser set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Witmer, tying the game at 14-14. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed.
Minersville responded once again. Derenzo connected with Justin Cutler on a perfectly placed 55-yard touchdown pass to give the Battlin’ Miners a 21-14 lead with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Just nine seconds into the fourth quarter, Williams Valley answered when Fletcher Thompson broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to one point. However, Bowers delivered a big hit on Thompson during the two-point conversion attempt, allowing Minersville to maintain its 21-20 lead.
The Battlin’ Miners turned to their ground game again as Derenzo scored on an 8-yard touchdown run. Bowers added the extra point to extend Minersville’s lead to 28-20 with 6:42 remaining in regulation.
Williams Valley refused to back down. Bair powered his way into the end zone from one yard out, and the Vikings successfully converted the two-point attempt to tie the game at 28-28 with less than four minutes remaining.
With just three seconds left in regulation, Minersville had an opportunity to win the game. Bowers attempted a 47-yard field goal, but the kick fell just short, sending the contest into overtime.
On the second play of overtime, a Minersville player suffered a serious injury, resulting in a delay of approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
The following video shows the sequence of events surrounding the injury:
Video of the injury sequence
Following a two-minute warmup period, both teams returned to the field to finish the game.
On the first play after the delay, Bair scored on a 10-yard touchdown run. Williams Valley followed with another successful two-point conversion to take a 36-28 lead.
Minersville still had an opportunity to respond. On its first offensive play, Derenzo connected with Bowers for a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Vikings’ lead to 36-34.
The game came down to one final two-point conversion attempt. Williams Valley’s defense delivered the decisive stop, tackling the Minersville ball carrier six yards behind the line of scrimmage to preserve the thrilling 36-34 overtime victory.
“In the second half, my kids didn’t quit on me,” Gaffney said after the game. “I put us in situations in the first half, went for two, trying to jump the momentum.”
Postgame video
The victory improved Williams Valley to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Schuylkill League Division II play. The Vikings will host Marian Catholic (4-3, 3-1) next Friday in their first night home game of the season. The Colts are coming off a 25-20 victory over Nativity.
Minersville dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in Division II play. The Battlin’ Miners will travel up Interstate 81 next week to face Mahanoy Area (3-4, 1-3), which is coming off a 41-16 loss to Tri-Valley.
Game Summary
Williams Valley 36, Minersville 34
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | OT | FINAL |
| WV (6-1, 4-0) | 0 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 36 |
| Min (1-6, 0-4) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 34 |
Min — Lutsky 39 run (Bowers kick)
WV — Tr. Bair 2 run (2-point conversion good)
Min — Derenzo 45 interception return (Bowers kick)
WV — Witmer 3 run (2-point conversion failed)
Min — Cutler 55 pass from Derenzo (Bowers kick)
WV — Thompson 25 run (2-point conversion no good)
Min — Derenzo 8 run (Bowers kick)
WV — Tr. Bair 1 run (2-point conversion good)
WV — Tr. Bair 10 run (2-point conversion good)
Min — Bowers 10 pass from Derenzo (2-point conversion failed)
Team Statistics
WV-Min
Rushes-Yards — 44-307 30-167
Passes —- 4-9-1 8-14-1
Passing Yards —- 38 140
Total Yards —- 344 307
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Williams Valley — Thompson 23-197, Tr. Bair 11-86, Hubler 3-21, Crisswell 2-2, Witmer 4-1. Minersville — Derenzo 18-103, Lutsky 11-64, Bowers 1-0.
PASSING: Williams Valley — Witmer 4-9-1, 38. Minersville — Derenzo 8-14-1, 140.
RECEIVING: Williams Valley — Hubler 2-13, Tr. Bair 2-24. Minersville — Cutler 4-73, Bowers 4-67, Rogers 1-0.
INTERCEPTIONS: Williams Valley — Bowser. Minersville — Derenzo.