Delaware Valley’s offense leads way to big win over Whitehall

Ryder Machado rushed for 256 yards and Delaware Valley scored 42 points in the second half to run away from Whitehall and win their PIAA 5A first-round matchup 56-27 at Delaware Valley High School in Milford, Pike County, on Friday night.

Aiden Black, who is committed to Stanford as a tight end, and Justin Kalitsnik, an all-state linebacker who also plays running back, had big nights of their own for the Warriors (10-3) who had everything clicking in the big win.

“Justin and Aiden have started since they were freshmen. Ryder probably could have to if we brought him up,” Delaware Valley coach Keith Olsommer said. “They’re three kids who have made an impact since they stepped on the field for us.”

Black opened the scoring for the Warriors as he snuck behind the Whitehall defense for a 32-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

After the first three drives for Whitehall (8-5) stalled near midfield or into Delaware Valley territory, the Warriors were poised to enter halftime with a 14-0 lead at worst. With only a minute left in the half, Whitehall’s Justus Miles jumped on a Machado fumble to give the offense another opportunity to strike before the intermission.

Senior quarterback Trey Dogmanits quickly marched the Zephyrs down the field and found Jack Kocher over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown.

“Over the course of the year we’ve learned to persevere and never really give up and just play,” Whitehall coach Andy Marino said.

Machado wasted no time making up for his mistake with a 51-yard touchdown run on the second play of the third quarter and a 27-yard touchdown after a Zephyr fumble on the ensuing drive.

Black struck again with a 60-yard reception to make it 35-14 just 40 seconds after Whitehall responded with a touchdown of its own to cut the lead to 13.

The Zephyrs weren’t done yet, however, as Talon Dogmanits made an acrobatic touchdown catch on a perfect throw from his brother, Trey, to put more pressure on the Warriors late in the third.

Justin Kalitsnik had other ideas.

The senior running back leaked out of the backfield and ran over a defender to put the game out of reach on a 13-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 42-20.

In their final game together as Whitehall teammates, Trey Dogmanits and Kocher each had career nights for the Zephyrs. With a 12-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Dogmanits surpassed 400 passing yards for the first time in his career with 411 while Kocher eclipsed 200 yards receiving for the first time with 202.

It was an emotional scene for both players after the game as their historic careers came to an end.

“I can’t say thank you enough to the people who brought me through this program,” Dogmanits said. “Playing three years with these guys has been great. It’s just hard to see it come to an end.”

“I was a water boy for the team in sixth grade and playing as a senior is kind of crazy because I looked up to those guys at the time,” Kocher said. “I’ve played with these guys my whole life. It’s kind of crazy I’ll never get to play with them again.”

Marino, in his first season as Whitehall’s head coach, reflected on what this group meant to him in his debut season.

“I’m forever grateful for them. The transition wasn’t easy for anybody,” Marino said. “I’m just proud of those guys. They left Whitehall much better than they found it and set a new standard for us.”