Wyomissing Wins 1st State Title in School History

http://www.d11football.com/news/12/15/wyomissing-wins-1st-state-title-in-school-history/ The Wyomissing Spartans were coming into the PIAA Class AA State Championships as the underdog versus Aliquippa (15-1) at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans (16-0) were coming off a hard fought 35-13 victory over Imhotep Charter last Saturday. The Quips, the WPIAL champions, defeated Richland 37-21. The West was predicted to win all four classes by many prognosticators, and the District 3 champions proved many wrong, at least in AA, as they knocked off District 7 champion, Aliquippa, 17-14. Wyomissing was lead by senior linebacker, running back, and Notre Dame commit Alex Anzalone. Many eyes were on him, along with senior quarterback, Corey Unger, a transfer from Fleetwood. The game was won early in the fourth quarter, when Spartans’ senior running back Mason Smith (127 yards on 15 carries) scampered 36 yards for the touchdown. Jonah Bowman set a new state record in all classifications, early in the third quarter, when he nailed a 52 yard field, to bring Wyomissing within four, at 14-10. The previous state record was set in 2001 when a Bishop McCort kicker made a 47-yard field in a class A game. But, the game didn’t start off well for the Spartans, as they would fumble away their first possession deep in their own end zone, when Aliquippa’s Malik Steward would recover. The Quips would capitalize, taking less than two minutes to score the game’s first points, when sophomore running back Dravon Henry (123 yards on 22 carries) would get into the end zone from a yard out. Quips would lead 8-0. The two teams would exchange possessions until early in the second quarter, when the Spartan would pound the ball on the ground for 98 yards, on 9 plays ending with a Mason Smith 13 yard burst for a touchdown. It was 8-7 Quips. After an Anzalone (16 totes, 41 yards) fumble at his team’s own 42 yard line, Aliquippa would take advantage on a 10 play drive lasting a less than five minutes. Henry would score his second of the day on 10 yard out, and his team would recapture the lead, 14-7 before halftime. Wyomissing quarterback would finish the day, completing 4 out of 10 passes for 42 yards, and an interception. Quips senior running back Terry Swanson would carry the ball 126 yards on 14 carries. Aliquippa would outgain Wyomissing 346-253 in total yards, and would lead in the turnover margin 4-2, as the Spartans would fumble the ball away three times. The Spartans would hang around and win their first State Football Championship in School District, and the first for Berks County. SCORING: 1st Quarter Ali – Dravon Henry 1 yard run. Swanson run – 1:50 2nd Quarter Wyo – Mason Smith 13 yard run. Jonah Bowman kick – 9:16 Ali – Henry 10 yard run. Pass failed – 2:51 3rd Quarter Wyo – Bowman 52 yard field goal – 9:48 4th Quarter Wyo – Smith 36 yard run. Bowman kick. 11:18