Waynesburg wins game for the ages
WOOSTER, Ohio – In 106 years of Waynesburg football, rarely has their been a contest like the one fans saw at John P. Papp Stadium Saturday. There were 10 lead changes, 1,021 yards of offense as several Yellow Jackets moved up various all-time school leader lists as Waynesburg defeated Wooster, 42-39.
The victory was due, in large part, to the Brad Dawson to Josh Fisher connection, which put up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the eventual game-winner on a 25-yard strike late in the contest.
The win avenges a 27-6 home loss for the Jackets in 2008 and tied head coach Rick Shepas for sixth on the school’s all-time wins list with 24 victories. It certainly wasn’t easy though, as Waynesburg refused to give up to a Wooster team loaded with offensive firepower.
Things opened up very well for the visitors as Dawson capped a game-opening seven-play 80-yard drive with a beautiful 22-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Zach Fatigante that took just two minutes to accomplish. Dawson also hooked up with junior wide receiver Ray Hightower II twice on the drive for a combined 45 yards.
While Dawson and Fisher stole the show in the fourth quarter, Justin Falcon put together maybe his best effort as a Yellow Jacket. The hard-nosed runner needed just 20 carries to roll up a personal-best and game-high 148 yards and a score. He also showcased a soft set of hands by hauling in four passes for 38 yards.
The native of nearby Jefferson was the leader of a Waynesburg rushing attack that out-gained its opponents 225 to 172. The Jackets’ rushing total was their highest since Week 2 of last season, when they put up 230 yards against Hanover, whom they play in week two of this year.
After a bit of a slow start, Dawson settled in and looked like the player Shepas envisioned when he transferred in prior to last season from California University of Pa. The Pittsburgh native hit on 25-of-45 passes for 285 yards and three scores with no interceptions. The performance was even more satisfying for Dawson as threw for just 80 yards, no touchdowns and three picks in his debut against the Scots last year.
Sophomore linebacker Scott Bogdan and first-year junior linebacker Troy Cree laid out vicious hits all day, as they tallied seven and six tackles, respectively. Matt Snovak, a first-year starter on the defensive line, was also disruptive as he rolled up six tackles, including a sack and 1.5 stops for loss. Scampone added five tackles to his huge fumble return for a score.