FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
Williamsport’s Williamsport’s Giovanni White (12) is wrapped up by three WVW defenders on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
KINGSTON When Zion Hughes went down over the summer time with a knee damage that may price the Williamsport junior quarterback his season, the position of sophomore Tevin Williams modified rapidly.
On Friday evening Williams made the primary begin of his profession and was calm, cool and picked up in serving to lead the Millionaires to a 31-20 victory at Spartan Stadium within the season opener.
Williams threw for 234 yards and one landing and added an interception on the defensive aspect of the ball.
“Zion, our captain, got hurt this summer in basketball,” mentioned Williamsport coach Mike Pearson. “Tevin’s role changed and stepped right up. We didn’t know how he would be in his first start. I thought he was very poised. We are proud of him.”
From Valley West’s perspective, it was a great distance from final season’s opening evening 33-0 loss to the Millionaires. Valley West quarterback Damien Eastman threw for 310 yards and one landing, however turnovers on offense and giving up the massive play on protection at important occasions within the sport was what finally did the Spartans in.
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
Williamsport’s Kareem Bradshaw goes as much as make the catch with WVW’s John Richard’s defending on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
“Overall the guys competed and that is what we are looking for,” mentioned Valley West coach Bob Stelma. “They came out and gave it their best. When you break it down it was the big plays that killed. The first game there were some jitters. We told them before the game something is going to go wrong. Something always goes wrong in the first game. It’s how you respond.”
The first instance got here on the primary play of the sport when a foul snap resulted in a turnover and the Spartans taking on on the Williamsport 13-yard line. A penalty and ultimately a fumble prevented the Spartans from with the ability to capitalize. After one other Valley West turnover, the Millionaires scored their first landing when Williams scored on an 8-yard run. Williamsport made it 10-0 when Brayden Ungard kicked a 30-yard discipline objective with 1:26 left within the first quarter.
The Spartans closed the hole when Eastman related with Preston Sninsky on an 89-yard cross play, however Gio White helped enhance the lead when he returned a punt 84 yards for a landing.
“Gio White is one of those kids, when you look at the history of his career he was always clutch,” Pearson mentioned. “He made a lot of different plays in a lot of different aspects tonight. In my opinion he is one of the best players in Pennsylvania.”
White rushed for 20 yard and a landing and caught three passes for 77 yards for a rating. He additionally had an interception.
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
Williamsport’s Zahmad Ruley (13) has a cross deflect off his fingertips ultimately zone on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
Valley West acquired inside 17-14 with 8:27 left within the third quarter after Malique Campbell scored on a 6-yard run. However, on Williamsport’s first play from scrimmage on the following possession, Williams related with White on a 70-yard landing cross play to extend the lead again to 10. White put the sport out of attain on a 2-yard run with 3:17 left within the third.
Valley West completed the evening with 456 yards of complete offense with 119 approaching the bottom.
“The guys hung together and battled all four quarters,” Stelma mentioned. “The guys are tuned into what we are asking them to do. It was a back-and-forth game. You take away those big plays and it’s a different game.”
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
Williamsport quarterback Yazhir Slaughter (11) passes the ball in opposition to WVW on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
Williamsport’s Giovanni White (12) stiff arms WVW’s Chase Meyers (8) on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
WVW’s John Richards (4) catches a cross over Williamsport’s Elijah Way (15) on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette
WVW’s Kaviyon Madera (22) and Iszrel Davis (15) sort out Williamsport’s Zahmad Ruley (13) on Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.