WEST PITTSTON – Marred by penalties, errant shot-gun snaps and overall ineffectiveness, Berwick needed a jolt Friday night.

A sophomore who has made some big plays so far this season provided it.

Teagan Wilk returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, triggering a fourth-quarter rally as the Bulldogs escaped with a 17-14 victory at Wyoming Area in a Wyoming Valley Conference Class 4A Division game.

Wyoming Area suffered its second consecutive three-point loss to fall to 1-2. Berwick improved to 3-0.

Related Video

Berwick trailed 14-3 midway through the fourth quarter when Wilk fielded a punt on the left sideline and weaved his way for a touchdown.

“Teagan’s return, holy cow, talk about the ignition to start the comeback,” Berwick coach Frank Sheptock said. “We needed it because offensively we’re struggling. Teagan has made big plays for us in each game thus far to turn the momentum.

“There was none bigger than today.”

Two of Berwick’s three possessions prior to Wilk’s touchdown had bad shot-gun snaps, including one where Wyoming Area defensive lineman Damon Barhight recovered at the Berwick 15.

Four plays after Barhight’s recovery, receiver Marc Anthony Minichello threw a halfback option pass to quarterback Dominic DeLuca for an 8-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion gave the Warriors a 14-3 lead with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Wyoming Area went three-and-out on its possession after Wilk’s touchdown. Two plays later, Berwick was on top. Damon Beckhorn darted 44 yards up the middle on a direct snap. Beckhorn then scored from 8 yards out as the Dawgs took a 17-14 lead with 3:02 to play.

Wyoming Area got one more crack on offense and moved from its 20-yard line to the 27 where DeLuca had to scramble on fourth down and was stopped for no gain.

“The game is 48 minutes not 42 minutes,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “Our kids played well all game. You get a good punt, you have to make the play. We were covering kicks all game. You get a good punt, make the play and finish the game.”

The Warriors scored early in the second quarter. A punt skimmed off a Berwick player and Wyoming Area’s Jesse Cegelka won the dog fight for the ball at the Berwick 22. A DeLuca-to-Minichello connection put the ball at the 1, and three plays later running back Justin Joseph banged his way into the end zone.

Berwick answered with a nine-play drive — slowed by two of the Dawgs’ 11 penalties — and got on the board when Ken Marshman connected on a 32-yard field goal.

“We showed a lot of composure,” Sheptock said. “Just bang away a little bit, bang away a little bit. To be able to overcome all of that and beat a quality team like Wyoming Area really speaks volumes of the character of this football team.”

NUMBERS GAME: Barhight recovered three fumbles. … Wyoming Area trailed for just the final 3:02 of the 48-minute game. The Warriors held the lead for 31:44 and the teams were tied for the first 13:14. … Berwick had team statistical advantages of 9-6 in first downs, 192-68 in rushing yards and 224-126 in total offense. … The Bulldogs, who are allowing less than two yards per carry on the season, held the Warriors to 68 yards on 42 carries. … DeLuca hit eight of 11 passes, but for just 50 yards. Minichello had a game-high four catches, but only 14 receiving yards.

Wyoming Area’s Donovan O’Boyle (22) is tackled by Berwick’s Teagan Wilk during the game at Jake Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston on Friday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_PSD091017HSFBWABerwick1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area’s Donovan O’Boyle (22) is tackled by Berwick’s Teagan Wilk during the game at Jake Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston on Friday. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area quarterback Dominic DeLuca passes the ball against Berwick at Jake Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston on Friday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_PSD091017HSFBWABerwick2.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area quarterback Dominic DeLuca passes the ball against Berwick at Jake Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston on Friday. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

By John Erzar

jerzar@timesleader.com

UP NEXT

After going undefeated against division opponents last season, Wyoming Area is 0-2 against other WVC Class 4A teams. It faces another Saturday night at 7 against Coughlin at Wilkes-Barre Memorial. Coughlin, also 1-2, got its first win Friday night, handing Crestwood its first loss, 27-14.

Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar