Solid First Half Not Enough for Williamson

The Williamson football team played a solid first half on both sides of the ball.  Their defense held Thaddeus Stevens to just 59 yards of total offense, while their offense did just enough to grab a 7-0 halftime lead.  Unfortunately for the Mechanics, the second half their offense turned the ball over three times and the Bulldogs were able to take advantage to come away with a 15-7 win.

Both teams were scoreless through the first quarter and in fact, it remained that way until just 1:39 left to go in the half, when Williamson quarterback Tanner Underwood connected with wide receiver Garrett Watkins on a beautiful 30-yard touchdown strike to put Williamson on the board.  Watkins then added the extra-point and Williamson was up 7-0.  The drive was a three play, 50-yard drive that came as a result of a nice series by Williamson's defense that forced Stevens to punt from deep within their own territory. 

Williamson's defense was phenomenal in the first half, as they held Stevens to just two first downs and 59 yards of offense.  Williamson outgained their opponents 152-59 prior to the break. 

The second half proved to be Williamson's undoing.  Stevens scored at the 8:42 mark of the third quarter however, they missed the extra point, making it 7-6 Williamson heading into the fourth.   

The fourth quarter is where the Bulldogs grabbed the lead for good.  They took advantage of two Williamson turnovers to score nine points and ice the game.  They first scored on a one-yard run at the 12:16 mark but failed on the two-point conversion.

With the score 12-7, Williamson fans felt like the game was within Williamson's grasp.  A fumble though deep in their own territory two series later allowed Stevens to connect on a 37-yard field goal at the 7:07 make to go up 15-7.  Try as they did, Williamson was not ever able to mount enough of an offensive threat from that point on, and the Bulldogs were able to pick up the win.

On offense, wide receiver Garrett Watkins had three catches for 60 yards and the touchdown to lead the way.  Freshman quarterback Tanner Underwood threw for 101 yards and that touchdown.

Defensively, Williamson was led by a host of defenders.  Joe Kelly had nine tackles, two tipped passes and four hurries.  Chris Meiklejohn also had nine tackles, as did defensive tackle Gabe Walsh and linebacker Chris Sheffer. Desean Chambers and Cooper Conroy intercepted passes for the Mechanics, while Kevin Mayoros recovered a fumble.

Williamson drops to 1-2 on the year.  The next host Connecticut State in a 12:00 P.M. start next Saturday, October 7.