WEST PITTSTON – Wyoming Area never held on to the football for more than five plays Friday night.
It was not necessary.
The Warriors scored eight touchdowns, six of them in three plays or fewer, on the way to pounding visiting Hanover Area, 56-0, while celebrating Senior Night.
Four players had a hand in two touchdowns each as the Warriors spread the ball around in a rout that could have been even more lopsided. The entire second half was played under the Mercy Rule and Wyoming Area took a knee twice after reaching the Hanover Area 2 on third down with two minutes remaining.
The Warriors got everyone involved on a night when they celebrated a large senior class, which includes many players who have been active on the varsity for three or four years. That group has led the team to an 18-1 record over the past two regular seasons and has the Warriors ranked seventh in the state among Class 3A teams, according to PennLive.com.
Wyoming Area used eight ballcarriers on offense, four extra-point kickers on the special teams and had 33 different players get involved in at least one tackle on defense.
“We had a very successful Senior Night,” Warriors coach Randy Spencer said after his team bounced back from a 42-0 loss to nine-time state champion Southern Columbia. “I think all the seniors got a chance to contribute on the field.
“It’s great when you have an opportunity to do that.”
Seniors Brian Williams and Darren Rodney joined Vincenzo Giambra in scoring two touchdowns each. Dominic DeLuca threw touchdown passes to Williams and fellow senior Derek Ambrosino.
Sammy Solomon, another senior, turned his only carry of the season into a 10-yard touchdown after receiving a lateral to the sideline on a tackle eligible play.
Seniors Stanley Moderski, who improved to 22-for-22 on the season, and Josh Cumbo each had two of the extra points.
Ambrosino, who ranks second on the team in tackles for losses from his defensive end spot and usually spends his time at tight end blocking, has all five of his catches in the past two games. He caught his first touchdown pass of the season, a 31-yarder with 9.2 seconds left, to give Wyoming Area a 42-0 halftime lead.
“It’s about time,” Ambrosino said, laughing. “Usually, we run the ball about 30 times a game, so I’m out there blocking most of the time.
“I knew last week I’d get to show my offensive abilities against Southern, which I did. And, I knew coming in this week that they were going to open the field a little more and throw the ball.”
Ambrosino also had a 34-yard catch to help lead to the second touchdown and a 20-yarder one play before the fifth touchdown.
“He did a nice job with his opportunities,” Spencer said. “He’s certainly a weapon, not just with his blocking, but also in the passing game.”
Two of the game’s first three touchdowns came from Williams on a 57-yard pass and a 74-yard punt return. He turned to blocking after that, helping lead the way on a 30-yard punt return and on another than went for an apparent 67-yard touchdown before being called back because of a hold by a teammate.
“We know what Brian’s capable of,” Spencer said. “He had an opportunity to make big plays tonight.”
Rodney scored on a 23-yard run in the first quarter and a 19-yarder with 3:21 left in the half that made it 35-0.
The first minute of the fourth quarter was a busy one for Giambra.
Giambra took his first carry 70 yards for a touchdown. He then recovered a fumble on the kickoff on one of the many jarring hits delivered by a freshman Drew Mruk. On the next play, Giambra went 22 yards for another touchdown and the game’s final points.
Hanover Area never reached midfield on offense, even though it had a 34:29-13:31 advantage in time of possession.
Despite the running clock for the entire second half, Wyoming Area never held the ball for longer than 2:05 until its last possession when it was taking its time in the huddle before getting ready to kneel rather than push the score past 60.
