A pass intended for a heavily covered Wyoming Area’s Luke Kopetchny (8), QB Jack Gravine was intercepted by Scranton Prep senior A.J. Croom (4).
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Scranton Prep QB Will McPartland (12) rushes four yards for a Cavalier touchdown.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Scranton Prep QB Will McPartland was hit by Warrior Trustin Johnson, causing a fumble recovered by the Warriors Nick Ciampi (19).
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Despite landing on the half-yard line, officials called it score for Prep’s QB Will McPartland as he dove in the end zone for 16-yard touchdown at 8:53 in the second period.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Seventeen seconds after the second Prep score, wide receiver Noah Kryzwiec (2) beats out Warrior Luke Kopetchny (8) for another Cavalier touchdown.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Scranton Prep had a lot of success with the pass against Wyoming Area. Prep QB Will McPartland (12) is shown connecting with receiver Noah Kryzwiec (2).
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Scranton Prep pass was short and after the bobble, Luke Kopetchny (8) intercepted a Will McPartland pass.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
WEST PITTSTON — Will McPartland hit his first five passes and his last five Friday night, leading to timely scores that allowed Scranton Prep to break away for a 42-0 romp over Wyoming Area in a District 2 Class 3A football semifinal at Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium.
McPartland, a 1,000-yard rusher last season and a 1,000-yard passer this season, missed the first three games of the season, all Scranton Prep losses, while recovering from ACL surgery. Since his return, the four-time defending champion Cavaliers have returned to their typical level of play in recent seasons.
“He’s certainly the catalyst for their team,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “He did a great job tonight. What he came back from and to be able to be in the position he’s in and to elevate his team going forward, I certainly have a tremendous amount of respect for him and their whole team.”
Scranton Prep scored twice in 17 seconds in the second quarter, beginning a stretch of 28 points in 11:18 to reach the Mercy Rule early in the third quarter.
Playing into a strong wind, the Cavaliers called three straight screen passes on their first drive of the second quarter, looking to add to a 7-0 lead.
Braedon McPartland took one of his brother’s passes 64 yards and another 15 yards. Will McPartland hit three passes for 82 yards in the drive that he capped with an 11-yard run, making him 5-for-5 for 130 yards through the air to that point.
The wind knocked down a high kickoff in front of Wyoming Area’s deep men and Brandon Farmer won the race to the ball jumping on it at the 26 before the Warriors could touch it.
On the second play, Noah Krzywiec turned the corner and went down the left sideline for a 26-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 8:36 left in the half.
Any hopes of another comeback by Wyoming Area, which overcame three deficits of 13 or more points in victories this season, went away with the way Scranton Prep ended the first half and started the second.
The Cavaliers got the ball back with 2:29 left in the second quarter and scored in a little more than half that time. Will McPartland hit five straight passes to cover 64 of the 68 yards on the scoring drive.
A.J. Croom broke tackles on his way in for a 22-yard touchdown and 28-0 halftime lead.
A partially blocked punt set Scranton Prep up at the Wyoming Area 12 to begin the second half and the Cavaliers scored in two plays, both runs by Anthony Prince. The touchdown covered 5 yards and invoked the running clock of the Mercy Rule with 9:35 still remaining in the third quarter.
McPartland had all his carries and pass attempts in the first half while helping Scranton Prep build a 28-0 lead. He hit 11 of 13 passes for 208 yards, ran for two touchdowns and was in on six tackles.
“He’s a special kid,” Scranton Prep coach Terry Gallagher said. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime kid and I’m very lucky to get to coach Will McPartland.”
McPartland scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter.
Prince added the last touchdown on a 40-yard run late in the third quarter.
“No excuses,” Spencer said. “Our kids played hard. Credit to Scranton Prep, an outstanding football team that made a lot of big plays tonight.”
The Cavaliers made far better use of the strong wind in the field position and kicking game.
Wyoming Area started its average possession from the 23 and the closest the Warriors came to scoring was when they reached the Cavaliers 27 as time expired in the first half.
The Warriors (9-2) suffered their only regular-season loss to unbeaten Berwick, the team that will host Scranton Prep in next weekend’s district championship game.
“We just couldn’t capitalize,” Spencer said, “but I’m very proud of the kids as the season they had.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Scranton Prep had statistical advantages of 14-10 in first downs, 197-156 in rushing yards, 208-26 in passing yards and 405-182 in total offense. … Jack Gravine (14-56) and Nick Ciampi (13-51) led Wyoming Area’s ground game. … Braedon McPartland had four catches for 101 yards for Scranton Prep. … Kaleb Pagnotti led the Cavaliers defense with seven tackles, six assists, a batted down pass and a pass rush. … Caden Reynolds, Trustin Johnson and Luke Kopetchny led Wyoming Area defensively. Reynolds had four tackles, including two for losses, and three assists. Johnson had four tackles, an assist and a forced fumble. Kopetchny had an interception along with three tackles and an assist.
