Box Score Box Score
ANNVILLE, Pa. --- The Lycoming College football team started out strong, going up 14-3 in the second quarter, but could not hold on as the Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen took the win 31-21 on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The loss drops Lycoming to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the Middle Atlantic Conference while Lebanon Valley improves to 8-1 on the season and 5-1 in the conference.
The Warriors hit pay dirt less than a minute into the game as Colin Dwyer (Dalton, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) hit Ryan Wagaman (Biglerville, Pa./Biglerville) with a 51-yard pass just 57 seconds into the game. The play was set up on a 33-yard return by freshman Dre Purdy (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.) on the initial kickoff.
With the Dutchmen driving towards the Warrior end zone, Jim Daly (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood)came up with a huge broken up pass to force a Lebanon Valley field goal with 5:18 left in the first quarter, keeping the Warriors up 7-3.
On Lycoming’s next possession, the Warriors took a slow and steady pace down the field. Josh Kleinfelter (Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis)started the drive with an 11 yard rush, followed by consecutive completions from Dwyer to Sean Saylor (Morton, Pa./Springfield), one for five yards and the second for 14. Dwyer extended drive with an eight yard pass to Josh Dixon (Fleetville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail). Lycoming could not find the end zone, but punter Jake Lamphere (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) pinned the Dutchmen deep in their own zone, downing the ball on the LVC seven yard line.
The Warriors forced Lebanon Valley into a three and out, the ensuing punt was tipped at the line, giving Lycoming excellent starting position on the midfield mark. Dwyer and Kleinfelter got on the same page for a 34-yard catch, getting the Warriors to the LVC one yard line. Senior running back Mark Rosa (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale)took the next hand off in to the end zone to put Lycoming up 14-3.
After a Lamphere punt, Lebanon Valley stuck to the running game as it drove the field on several long Charlie Parker rushes, including a 13-yard and a 21-yard dash. The Dutchmen found the end zone on another Parker carry, narrowing the game to 14-10 Lycoming and capping a 10 play, 80 yard drive the used 3:40 off the clock.
As anticipated, the Lycoming kick off game had a great day, with Purdy and Parker Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville) combing for 111return yards, with an additional 33 from Ray Bierbach (Hunlock Creek, Pa./Northwest Area). After the Lebanon Valley touchdown, Showers took the kick at the 30 yard line and got Lycoming into excellent position at its own 48 yard line. Lycoming was again forced to punt.
Defense came up big in the final Dutchmen drive of the second quarter. Lycoming looked to strike the end zone again as Kleinfelter took a 15 yard rush, getting to the Lebanon Valley 46 yard line. Dwyer looked deep to Wagaman, but the pass was picked off in the end zone. The two teams were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct to end the half.
To open the second half, Lebanon Valley drove the field to the Warrior three yard line. Kyle Murren (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) dropped Parker for a three-yard loss on a second down play. Dutchmen quarterback Caleb Fick looked to the end zone, but could not convert the pass. Lycoming got the ball back on its own 20 following a missed Lebanon Valley field go attempt.
Following a Dwyer interception, the Dutchmen got the ball on the Warrior 20 yard line. The Warrior red zone defense stood up to the challenge as Lebanon Valley attempted three straight rushes, each of which were met at the line by the Warriors. The fourth try proved to be the key as Parker broke the plane, putting the Dutchmen up 17-14.
The teams exchanged punts but the Dutchmen capitalized on the opportunity, going up 24-14 on a 34 yard Colt Zarilla pass. Lebanon Valley’s offense continued to roll, going up 31-14 to start the fourth quarter on a 62-yard, 13 play drive.
Showers set Lycoming up with a 37 yard kickoff return. Dwyer’s next pass was tipped by the intended receiver and intercepted. On the return, a Lebanon Valley lineman chop blocked senior tight end Adam Paulhamus. The Dutchmen player was ejected from the game.
Lycoming’s secondary came up big on the ensuing drive, forcing a third down and long play and again stopping the passing game, forcing the Dutchmen to punt the ball away.
Kleinfelter busted out for a big 25 yard run, getting Lycoming to its on 42 yard line. After punting the ball to Lebanon Valley, Ryan Williams (Cortez, Pa./North Pocono) forced a fumble on the return, which was recovered by the Warriors on the Dutchmen 15 yard line. Following a delay of game penalty, Lycoming missed the 30-yard field attempt.
Late in the fourth quarter, Dwyer tossed a pass to Wagaman, who juggled the ball over his defender and came down with the catch in the end zone, closing the gap to 31-21. Lycoming attempted an on-sides kick, but was called for an illegal touch for not allowing the ball to travel the required 10 yards. On the re-kick, Lebanon Valley came up with the ball.
Dwyer wrapped the day up with 209 passing yards and two touchdowns, completing 18 of his 32 passing attempts. Wagaman caught both of Dwyer’s touchdown passes while picking up 83 yards on four catches. Dixon was the top receiver, hauling in six catches for 48 yards.
On defense, three Warriors reached double digits in tackles, led by Chuck Bellitto’s (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot) 13 stops, 11 of which were solo. Daley and Anthony Marascio (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge), both of whom had 10 tackles, with seven solo and three assisted tackles.
Lycoming wraps up the season on Saturday, Nov. 14 when it hosts FDU-Florham for Senior Day. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at David Person Field.
