WARRIOR FOOTBALL COMES BACK TO DEFEAT WILKES

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College football team scored three touchdowns in the final 3:42 of the game to come from behind and stun visiting Wilkes University, Saturday afternoon. The Warriors improve to 1-1 both overall and in the Middle Atlantic Conference with the win. The Colonels fall to 0-2 overall, but remain 0-1 in the conference.

Lycoming was held scoreless for the first 56 minutes of the contest, but finally broke through when Phil Mann (Sr./Mill Hall, Pa.; Central Mountain) dove into the endzone from a yard out with 3:42 remaining in the game. The score capped a 10-play, 47-yard drive and the point-after tied the game at 7-7.

Wilkes took over at their own 38 after a face mask on the kickoff. Facing third-and-10, quarterback Brock Snyder found Brett Trichilo on a screen pass that gained 12 yards and gave the Colonels a first down at midfield. Snyder went deep on the next play finding a streaking Jim Jordan for the 50-yard score. The extra-point, however, was off the mark leaving Wilkes ahead 13-7 with 2:40 to play.

The Warriors set up shop from their own 35 following a 19-yard kickoff return by Richie Schiccatano (Fr./Paxinos, Pa.; Shamokin). Mann missed his first three passes, but Lycoming was aided by a roughing the passer call that placed the ball and midfield and gave them a new set of downs. A 16-yard pass to Tim Brown (Jr./Liverpool, N.Y.; Christian Brothers) on third-and-nine and an eight yard completion to John Moor (Sr./Hawley, Pa.; Wallenpaupack) moved the ball to Wilkes’ 25-yardline. Facing another third down, Mann pitched the ball to Dan Snee (So./Montrose, Pa.; Montrose) on the option and Snee ran 19 yards to the six. Two plays later, Mann again found Snee – this time on a pass – and Snee bowled into the endzone for the six-yard score. Chris Schrader’s (So./Glenolden, Pa.; Monsignor Bonner) extra point put the Warriors up 14-13 with 56 seconds to play.

The Colonels started at their own 30-yardline and picked up a first down, moving the ball to the 43. Their comeback attempt ended two plays later, however, as Matt Murdock (So./Elysburg, Pa.; Southern Columbia) stepped in front of a second-and-ten pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. The point after gave Lycoming a 21-13 cushion with six seconds on the clock.

A fair catch on the kickoff gave Wilkes one last play, but the Warriors’ Brian Kaspick (Sr./Clearfield, Pa.; Clearfield) came down with the Hail Mary and ended the game.

Mann led Lycoming’s offense with 201 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-40 passing. Schiccatano caught two passes for 55 yards, Moor caught five passes for 54 yards, and Tony Kopp (Jr./St. Mary’s, Pa.; St. Mary’s) recorded five receptions for 52 yards. The Warriors continued to struggle running the ball, gaining just 45 yards on 40 carries. Joe Cosmello (So./New Milford, Pa.; Montrose) led the squad with 27 yards on 10 touches.

Trichilo was the Colonels top performer with 81 yards rushing on 24 carries, including the game’s first touchdown early in the second quarter. Trichilo’s 81 yards make him the all-time leader in career rushing within the Middle Atlantic Conference. Snyder threw for 93 yards, completing 6-of-16 passes and throwing one touchdown after replacing starter Duran Porrino. Jordan was the leading receiver with two receptions for 59 yards.

Defensively, Wilkes’ Tyler Henninger led all players with 10 tackles, including a pair of sacks. Luke Sterling (Jr./Lehington, Pa.; Lehighton) led Lycoming with eight stops, including two sacks.

The Warriors travel to Albright College next week, while Wilkes returns home to host FDU-Florham.