Oct 27, 2007
DOVER, DE
— Wesley senior defensive back, Chet Turner, intercepted Salisbury quarterback, Ronnie Curley, in the end zone to secure victory for the 10th ranked Wolverines (8-1, 4-0) over the 9th ranked Seagulls (8-1, 2-1) 20-13 in front of a boisterous home crowd.
The win has many implications for the Wolverines. First and foremost, the Wolverines secured their 3rd straight Atlantic Central Football Conference Championship. The Wolverines have won or shared the title 6 times since joining the football only conference. Nationally, Wesley earns some needed bonus points looking forward to the National playoff scene. The ACFC is without an automatic qualifier since it does not have enough members. With out that AQ, Wesley must compete both regionally and nationally for 3 Pool B spots, and then a possible 7 at-large bids in Pool C.
Statistically, the Seagulls out gained the Wolverines earning 285 yards on the ground and 116 through the air. The Seagulls rushing offense was ranked 2nd nationally with 356.8 yards per game. Despite giving up large chunks of yardage on the ground, the Wesley defense was able to tighten near their end zone forcing two Salisbury field goals.
The first quarter ended scoreless as both teams traded punts and field position 4 times. Wesley struck first in the second quarter when Colin Blugis nailed his first of two field goals. The 19-yard chip shot earned the lead for Wesley at 3-0 at 10:17 of the second quarter.
After trading two more punts, the Seagulls got a big play from running back Jamar Garner. Garner took the pitch from Curley around the left side, broke through two arm tackles and flew up the sidelines for an 80-yard score. Seagull kicker, Brendan Kincaid added the extra point to take the 7-3 lead with 3:23 left in the first half.
The silence in the home crowd didn't last long as Wesley's Larry Beavers took the ensuing kickoff 90-yards for the touchdown. The kickoff return for a score is Beaver's third of the season. Blugis added the extra point and Wolverine Stadium was rocking again with a 10-7 advantage with 3:09 left in the half.
Salisbury regained possession with 17 seconds left in the half, but the Seagulls back up quarterback, Bobby Sheahin, was intercepted by Trae Swann at the Wesley 24 yard line to end the half to keep the 10-7 lead.
In the second half, Swann again troubled the Seagulls offense by intercepting another pass. Swann was able to haul in a double tipped pass by Salibury's Curley, his first of two interceptions on the day.
The Wolverines would make the most of the change in possession by driving to the Seagulls 45 yard line before Wesley quarterback, Jason Schatz, found Michael Clark open down the left sidelines. The picture perfect over-the-shoulder pass by Schatz was hauled in by Clark who then crossed the goal line giving Wesley a little wiggle room on the scoreboard. Blugis added another extra point extending Wesley's lead to 17-7 at 6:33 of the third quarter.
Not to be denied, the Seagulls used a big play by Curley to almost span the length of the field. Curley ran the option perfectly to his right and found a seam dashing 68 yards to the Wesley 15 yard line. However, the Wesley defense stiffened forcing a Kincaid field goal from 26 yards out to make it a one score game at 17-10.
Two possessions later in the fourth quarter, Wesley started with good field position at the Seagulls 39 yard line. But and incomplete pass to Clarke forced a field goal attempt by Blugis. The 40-yard attempt just barely cleared the crossbar giving the first year kicker his longest of his career and extended the Wesley lead to 20-10 with 13:02 left in the game.
Down by two scores, Salisbury inserted back up quarterback Sheahin to help their passing offense. Sheahin completed one pass, then scrambled for a 5-yard gain but was injured going out of bounds. Curley was reinserted into the offense and drove the Seagulls down to the Wesley 14 yard line. Wesley's defense again stiffened and forced another Kincaid field goal, this one of 31 yards bringing the game back to a one possession situation.
Wesley had two more possessions late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to get points to secure a victory. With 1:02 left in the game, Wesley was forced to punt to the waiting Seagulls. Salisbury gained possession at the Wesley 42 yard line to start a possible game tying (or winning) drive in the final minute. Curley completed his first pass for 18 yard to Valdese Morris down to the Wesley 23 yard line. But two plays later, Curley's jump ball into the end zone was picked by Chet Turner with 7 seconds left on the clock. An alert Turner ran around the end zone to run out the remaining time and secure the big Route 13 victory.
Offensively for the Wolverines, running back Mike Pennewell rushed 28 times for 105 yards. Pennewell has rushed for more than 100 yards for seven consecutive games this season. Quarterback Jason Schatz was only 7 of 21, for 94 yards, but his touchdown pass to Clarke proved to be the difference in the game.
Defensively, the Wolverines were led by linebacker Sean Matthews, who earned 14 tackles, seven solo, against Salisbury's option running attack. Linebacker Josh Jones and defensive end Bryan Robinson each earned 8 tackles. Robinson also added a 12-yard sack on Curley. The Wesley defense forced 4 Seagull turnovers, 3 INT's and 1 fumble.
Wesley and Salisbury both get a bye week. Wesley returns to action on November 10th, as they travel to Morrisville State (2-6) who defeated Brockport State today.
Press release submitted by Wesley on Oct 27 2007 at 05:40 PM