Wyomissing-Danville Preview

Wyomissing and Danville are squaring off for the second straight year in the PIAA-3A quarterfinals. Albright’s Shirk Stadium is the site this time around. Kickoff is set for 7pm. The Spartans held off the Ironmen 21-19 a season ago up in Montour County. Wyomissing led 21-0 before Danville mounted a comeback. The Ironmen missed a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds which allowed the Spartans to advance to the state semifinals.

Wyomissing is (11-1) and ranked #2 in the state in Class 3A by PennLive. The Spartans are averaging 37 points while allowing 12.5 per contest. The District 3 champions have won five straight since falling 34-14 at Cocalico on October 6th. That loss snapped Wyomissing’s 41-game regular season winning streak. Cocalico is hosting Ephrata tonight in the District 3-5A final.

The Spartans are getting things done on the ground as usual. Bob Wolfrum’s Wing-T attack is putting up 300 rushing yards per game. Penn State commit Caleb Brewer (6’5, 290) is a force at offensive tackle and nose guard. Chase Eisenhower has a team-high 926 yards on 124 carries. The 215-pound sophomore FB/LB took an interception 86 yards to the house last week against West Perry in the District 3-3A championship. Eight other running backs have between 21-and-52 carries. Wyomissing has been without 6’4, 210-pound senior RB/LB Drew Forrey since mid-October. He suffered a leg injury versus Conrad Weiser which required surgery. Princeton commit Ryker Jones is an All-State linebacker who also gets touches on offense. Justice Hardy has opened eyes at RB/DB during his freshman campaign.

Danville is (12-1) under head coach Carl Majer who took over for Mike Brennan. They’re ranked #4 in the state by PennLive. The Ironmen are averaging 43 points while allowing 12. They hammered Loyalsock 40-7 in the District 4 championship. Danville’s lone loss came at the hands of perennial powerhouse Southern Columbia on September 22nd. The Ironmen have rattled off eight consecutive victories since that 40-17 defeat.

Unlike Wyomissing, Danville prefers to strike through the air. Madden Patrick has thrown for 3,067 yards with 46 touchdowns and just six picks. The 6’1, 180-pound junior is completing 65% of his attempts. Aaron Johnson is his top target. The smooth 5’11, 170-pound senior has a staggering 27 TD receptions this year, one shy of the state record. Johnson has 55 catches and 1,390 receiving yards. Carter Raup, a 6’1 sophomore, adds 45 receptions and 698 yards to the aerial assault. Berwick transfer Bo Sheptock exploded last week for 300 rushing yards and 4 TD in the rout of Loyalsock. The 170-pound junior provides 1,304 yards and 18 scores to the mix.

Sheptock is also a factor on defense with a team-high five interceptions at safety. Cameron Kiersch, a 200-pound junior linebacker, leads the squad with 128 tackles. Sophomore Landon Kehoe (6’, 205) is second on the team with 92 tackles. Defensive linemen Chase Miller and Lincoln Diehl have combined for 23 tackles for loss. They’re both juniors. Senior Justin Kutcher (6’, 265) is a key player in the trenches for the Ironmen. Pass protection will be essential as Wyomissing is known for bringing the heat when facing spread offenses.

The winner moves on to the Final Four in Class 3A against either Northwestern Lehigh or Scranton Prep.