First Posted: 10/16/2014
You could kind of see it during the team’s Oct. 3 loss against Berwick. Now, it looks like Wyoming Area is just hitting its stride.
The Warriors pulled off an upset against Dallas last Saturday in a wild finish. Tied at 10, the Warriors dialed up a fake field goal and holder Steve Hozma hit Danta Deluca for the 23-yard score with one second left on the clock. Talk about momentum heading into the final three games of 2014.
Two weeks ago, Wyoming Area had a 13-0 first-quarter lead against the Bulldogs. They are getting better, but the mindset hasn’t changed for Randy Spencer’s team.
“The kids have been confident over the past two weeks,” Spencer said. “The Berwick experience is really what we needed. Coming off of that, it gave us some confidence. The kids are working hard and playing outstanding.”
This week, the Warriors will play host to Coughlin, a 35-6 winner over Pittston Area last week, at 7 p.m. Friday at Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium. The Crusaders do it by running the football.
Back Taylor Layton has rushed for 770 yards while Tom Mitchell and quarterback Jake Soller have provided support by combining for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Warriors allowed less than 200 yards last week to Dallas – the Mountaineers had just 16 carries for 32 yards. So, the Warriors have shown they can stop the run and they will have to Friday night. However, Coughlin’s running attack has much more talent than Dallas.
“They have three guys that will run the ball downhill,” Spencer said. “When they need to they can take shots. They have the skill to do that.”
Coughlin is still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
In all, Wyoming Area has played well over its last several games since being blown out by Crestwood.
Passing will be an afterthought in this one. Wyoming Area, however, threw for two touchdowns last week after throwing for just three the entire season. But with Jeff Skursky starting to play his best football of his career, the Warriors might not have to.
Coughlin stopped a strong Pittston Area passing attack a week ago.
“We’re a young team looking for improvement throughout the year,” Spencer said. “I anticipate a high-contested, great football game.”
Wyoming Area’s Jeff Skursky ran a season-high 38 times for 153 yards last week against Dallas. He currently sits second in Division 3A with 850 yards. He’s totaled four touchdowns and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He trails only Crestwood’s Frank Aigeldinger (1,161) in yards.
“From a leadership perspective he’s feeling confident,” Spencer said. “The seniors rally behind him and we need him to provide that consistent leadership and be emotional and vocal. Not only is he our athletic leader but he’s that emotional leader as well.”
Spencer expects Skursky to continue that role through the rest of the season.
