Fourth Quarter Rally Falls Short for Football

Trailing just 7-6 at halftime of their annual match-up with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, found themselves trailing 26-6 with ten minutes left in the game.  They then mounted a furious comeback bid, scoring two touchdowns in 1:22 to pull to within 26-18, before Stevens took the ensuing kick-off after to second touchdown 80 yards for a touchdown and doom Williamson's chances in a 32-18 loss.

The team were evening matched through the first half, as both defenses were stout. Williamson shot itself in the foot on several occasions, as they lost three fumbles, threw an interception and had a punt blocked-all in the first half, and still only trailed 7-6.

Stevens jumped on top at the 13:46 mark of the second quarter to go up 7-0.  Cooper Conroy would intercept a pass for the Mechanics and return it 20 yards to the Bulldog 22-yard line.  Williamson would cap a 6-play, 22-yard drive with an 11-yard TD pass from Christian Cerelli to Nasir Simmons. Williamson though would have the extra point attempt blocked.

Williamson would hold Stevens to just 88 yards rushing in the first half but the Bulldogs would almost equal that total in one play, as they reeled off an 82-yard TD run on their first carry of the second half to go up 14-6.  Less than three minutes later they would score on another long run, this one a 46-yard scamper to go up 20-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Stevens would increase their lead to 26-6 on a 20-yard touchdown pass at the 10:28 mark of the fourth quarter.  Williamson however, was not about to go without a fight.  They mounted a 6 play, 48-yard drive, capped off by Simmons second TD pass from Cerelli-this one an acrobatic grab in the end zone for 23 yards and the score.  The Mechanics were denied on the two-point conversion and trailed 26-12.

Stevens would fumble deep in their own territory next possession and Williamson was able to capitalize just 1:54 after the last score with 6:46 left in regulation, this one yet again on a touchdown pass from Cerelli to Simmons that hit for pay dirt from 18 yards out to pull Williamson to within 26-18.  The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Mechanics were within one score.  That margin did not last long though as Stevens returned the ensuing kick-off 80 yards for a touchdown to go up 32-18.  Williamson would try to mount another drive but that ended in an interception and Stevens was able to run out the clock to get their second win on the year.

Williamson was led on offense by Christian Cerelli and Nasir Simmons.  Cerelli rushed for team high 61 yards on 11 carries, while passing for another 113 yards and three touchdowns.  Simmons had 7 catches, several which were dazzling, for 88 yards and the three touchdowns.  Jason Fisicaro also added 33 yards rushing for the Mechanics.  Overall, Williamson had 114 yards rushing and 113 yards passing.

Defensively for Williamson, several players had huge games on the day.  Linebacker Logan Peck was all over the field leading the team with 11 tackles, including one for loss.  Derrick Burke added nine tackles, one for loss, and a big fumble recovery.  Kevin Mayoros added eight tackles, while Jesse Rios chipped in with seven tackles and a pass break-up.

"I'm proud of our guys.  Big plays and turnovers killed us and yet our guys battled to the end.  We turned the ball over five times and had a punt blocked and yet we still had a chance late in the game.  That is all due to the heart of our guys," shared Williamson head coach Dan Drake.   

"I don't know many teams that can give up five turnovers and still be in the game.  That is all due to the heart of our players. They never gave up and gave it all they had.  Again, I could not be prouder of them."

Williamson drops to 1-2 on the year and next hosts Connecticut State at noon on October 5.