By Robert Edmonds
FRONT ROYAL—It appeared as if the entire town was at Warren
County High School Friday night when the Wildcats hosted their cross town rival
Skyline in the final game for both teams of the 2012 regular football season.
Adding to the hype of the rivalry was the fact that both
teams entered the night with identical 8-1 records as well as winning their
respective district title and securing a postseason berth. The game certainly lived up to the billing as
both teams battled fiercely in a tightly contested matchup.
“When we split into schools a few years ago, both of our
teams had some tough going,” Skyline coach Heath Gilbert said. “Now we both come into tonight District
champs and going to the playoffs, it’s really exciting for our kids and the
community.”
Both teams’ defense was prevalent on the night forcing the
opposing offense to earn each and every yard.
In the end, it was the Skyline defense that withstood the pressure and
shutdown the Wildcats enough to edge out a 14-12 victory.
The Wildcats were able to move the ball down several times
against the Hawks but couldn’t manage to finish their drives with points. Trailing 14-6 midway through the fourth
quarter, Warren was able to draw closer after a big fourth down conversion.
With 5:50 remaining in the game, the Wildcats faced a fourth
and four from the Skyline forty yard line. After punting on their previous
series in a similar situation, Warren opted to go for it with time becoming a
factor. Tyler Post dropped back to pass
and found Matt Nicholson for a 14 yard completion to keep the drive alive.
Two plays later, Post completed an 18 yard pass to Chris
Larsen inside the ten yard line. On the
very next play, Timothy Green rumbled into the endzone from 8 yards out for the
touchdown. Trailing by 2 after missing
an extra point in the first quarter and a field goal to start the second half,
the Wildcats were forced to go for a two point conversion.
Post’s pass into the endzone was intercepted by a Hawks
defender spoiling the Wildcats opportunity to tie the score. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds
allowing Skyline to start their drive from the 35. With just four minutes remaining, the Hawks
looked to grind out the clock with their run game.
With the Wildcats defense holding the Hawks on the first
three downs, Skyline went for it on fourth and one and converted on a four yard
run by quarterback, Aaron Jeremiah.
Skyline continued to use the run game to drain the clock but after
gaining only three yards on their next to carries faced a third and seven.
Jeremiah looked to pass over the middle on third down but
was picked off by Jeff Budwash to give the Wildcats life with less than two
minutes to go. The Wildcats began the
drive impressively converting a first down but when Post rolled to right after
being chased out of the pocket and through to the sidelines, the officials
threw a flag for intentional grounding saying there were no receivers in the
vicinity of the pass.
Staring at third and 24, the front line of Skyline dug in
applying pressure to Post and forcing two consecutive incompletions to seal the
victory.
“Our defense worked hard tonight,” Hawks senior Nick Helmick
said. “We played all out every play
tonight. They made some good plays but
we were able to make the big stops. I
think this is the best our D-line and linebackers have played all year.”
Another huge stop by the Skyline defense at the end of the
first half also played a large role in the outcome. With Warren driving deep into Hawks
territory, Skyline managed to force Warren into a third and long
situation.
A completed pass by Post to Nicholson gave the Wildcats a
fourth and five attempt. Post again
dropped back to pass but was hit violently from the blindside by Brenden
O’Conner forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Wildcats but ultimately
ended with a turnover on downs leaving the Wildcats coming up empty in regards
to points.
“All year long our defense has been susceptible to giving up
big plays,” Gilbert said. “Tonight they
stepped up and came through in every key moment especially late in the game and
was the reason we were able to walk out tonight with a win.”
Despite two consecutive tough loss, Warren coach Tony
Tallent feels his team will rebound and be ready next week when the playoffs
start.
“We had our chances tonight we didn’t punch it in when we
had the opportunities,” Tallent said.
“This type of game is what makes this such a good rivalry. Our kids know that there were no trophies won
tonight and the next season is when we get our chance to get that trophy. I expect and know that they will come out
next week and be ready to play against whoever we face.”
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