Colonials ride big first half to victory over Trojans
DERRY – Albert Gallatin coach Chuck Colborn said his team played a good, solid football game, and it showed. The Colonials didn’t have a hard time penetrating Derry Area’s defense, collecting 27 points and 156 yards in the first half.
The Trojans did manage to stop that threatening offense during the second half, denying the Colonials any points. Yet, Derry only managed to put up six points throughout the game, giving Albert Gallatin the win, 27-6, in Friday night’s WPIAL Class AAA Keystone Conference matchup.
The Colonials (2-0, 2-2) were nonstop all night and wasted no time in scoring when John Angel ran the opening kickoff back to the Derry 1-yard line, which set up a touchdown run by Adam Morris. Thomas Gates added the extra point, giving Albert Gallatin the early lead.
Derry’s only opportunity to score in the first half came after the Colonials fumbled a on a punt return, and Preston Wannamaker recovered.
However, the Trojans (0-2, 0-4) couldn’t drive the ball on the tough Colonial defense and were forced to attempt a 37-yard field goal. But the kick from Derry’s Dakotah Rhodes fell short, giving Albert Gallatin the ball right back.
It only took the Colonials four more plays to score again when Angel broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown run. The Colonials were unsuccessful in their two-point conversion attempt, leaving the score 13-0 after the first quarter.
The second quarter wasn’t any better for the Trojans. On their first possession, running back Cory Elliott’s fumble was recovered by the Colonials on their own 25-yard line. Again, Albert Gallatin wasted no time, and after a 15-yard pass to Angel, Colonials’ quarterback Nate Turner ran 19 yards for a touchdown. Gates added the extra point, making the score 20-0.
Derry’s next possession was just like its last one, three plays and then a punt. Albert Gallatin responded by grinding its way down the field on an eight-play drive that set up a one-yard touchdown run by Turner, making the score 27-0 at the half.
The Trojans looked better during the second half and played pretty good football, said Derry coach Ron Polinsky.
“We always have one good half and one bad half each game,” Polinsky said. “This game, we played a good second half and a bad first half. We just can’t seem to even out.”
During the third quarter, Derry looked promising after Rhodes ran back an interception to the AG 1-yard line with 5:40 left to play. Two plays later, a quick toss to Josh Hemminger put six points on the board for the Trojans, although Rhodes’ extra-point attempt failed, making the score 27-6.
Albert Gallatin wound down the clock on its next possession, taking up five minutes. Derry finally managed to stop the Colonials on its own 49-yard line.
The Trojans looked to still be in the game after an interception by Tyler Leitza put them on Albert Gallatin’s 32-yard line. Backup quarterback, Derek Hamacher stepped in and tried to put some points on the board, but a bad snap caused him to fumble, which was recovered by Albert Gallatin on Derry’s 46.
That was the last possession that the Trojans would have. Albert Gallatin then took a knee four times and celebrated the victory.
Despite not scoring any points in the second half, Colborn said that his team played an exceptional first half, which makes up for the not so good second half.
“We saw big plays from John Angel,” Colborn said. “I think his run on the opening kickoff inspired the team to play how they did.”
Polinksy felt a little indifferent on how his team played, yet, despite giving up 27 points in the first half, he still felt the team played well.
“We played good in the first half,” Polinsky said. “The tackling and fumbles killed us though. We just couldn’t fight back from that big off a deficit and couldn’t put anything together.”