Turnovers undermine Washington as Wilmington wins
Washington put up the offensive numbers necessary to win a playoff game. Unfortunately for the Little Prexies they also made plenty of offensive errors that ultimately ended their playoff run.
Wilmington converted four of five Washington turnovers into touchdowns to win, 49-42, Friday night at Slippery Rock in a PIAA Class 2A semifinal. Wilmington advanced to the championship, even though it was outgained, 402-277, by Washngton.
The Greyhounds wing-T offense gave Washington trouble, but if it weren’t for the turnovers, the end result might have been different. Quarterback Zack Swartz threw three interceptions, and also fumbled in the first quarter.
Washington coach Mike Bosnic had few words after the game.
“It’s something we always talk about, taking care of the ball,” Bosnic said. “We want to be good at that, and unfortunately tonight, we weren’t.”
After recovering a fumble with 4:12 left in the fourth quarter, Washington halfback Nick Welsh found the end zone to cut Wilmington’s lead to seven. But with a chance to tie the score with less than two minutes left, Swartz threw his third and final interception to seal Wilmington’s win.
Welsh was dynamic for the Prexies, totaling 240 rushing yards. He scored four touchdowns, two of them on long runs of 30 and 55 yards.
“We moved the ball, Nick played a great game, moved the ball up and down the field,” Bosnic said. “It was a strange game.”
Midway through the first quarter, Swartz fumbled after a sack. Wilmington recovered at the 15 to set up a touchdown throw from quarterback Robert Pontius to split end Colton Marrett to give the Greyhounds a 14-7 lead with 5:48 to go in the quarter. Two more turnovers in the second quarter enabled Wilmington to hold a halftime lead.
First, Washington returner Zahmere Robinson fumbled a punt after a Wilmington three-and-out, giving the Greyhounds the ball back at the 22. Pontius punched in a 5-yard touchdown with 4:38 remaining before halftime to tie the score at -21-21.
Less than two minutes before halftime, Swartz threw an interception. Pontius found half back Bryson Verrelli wide open for a 6yard touchdown catch to give the Greyhounds a 28-21 lead at the half.
Swartz’s second interception happened at the end of the third quarter. Facing pressure, he tossed the ball high and into the hands of Wilmington defensive end Alex Ramirez, who returned it to the 33. Once again gifted with good field position, Pontius tucked the ball and ran 18 yards for a touchdown, giving the Greyhounds a 49-35 advantage.