Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
After their first (0-2) start in a decade, the Spartans needed a spark. Andrew DiFabrizio provided it on the opening possession. The 6’, 165-pound senior intercepted a pass from freshman Markus Miller. DiFabrizio cut across the field and raced down the left sideline for his first career pick 6. “That was great. [The receiver] was really wide so I made sure to play inside and wait for him to come to me. The quarterback threw it to my chest. I had blockers out in front,” explained DiFabrizio. He came up with two of Wyomissing’s four interceptions in a 42-32 victory over Northern Lebanon on Saturday afternoon.
Rylan Overley, a transfer from Gov. Mifflin, broke off a 19-yard run on the Spartans’ first series. The 6’3, 210-pound sophomore capped the 53-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown. Overley added a 2-point conversion after an encroachment penalty against the (3-1) Vikings on the extra point. “I knew that was huge when he came in the offseason. He’s a great player. It shocks me every time I realize that he’s a sophomore,” emphasized DiFabrizio. Wyomissing jumped in front 15-0 with 4:25 left in the first quarter. Two minutes later, Brady Focht returned an interception 40 yards to the 5-yard line. The 6’2, 175-pound junior also plays basketball for the Spartans. Ryan Delp went in motion and caught a 5-yard TD pass in the left flat from Brady Eisenhower to make it 21-0 with 2:31 remaining in the first period.
Northern Lebanon threatened on its next possession, but DiFabrizio made another interception in the end zone. “Actually, he beat me a little bit. I hustled back and the throw was a little late which helped me. I made a nice play on the ball,” he noted. Miller settled down following his third pick in the first 13 minutes of the game. He heaved a 63-yard TD pass down the right sideline to Bryce Yocum with 6:31 to go in the second quarter. The senior tight end entered Saturday with one reception on the season. Yocum finished the day with three catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Wyomissing put together a five minute drive that covered 62 yards before halftime. Ethan Nye went up the middle for a 7-yard score and a 28-6 cushion with 1:23 on the clock. The (1-2) Spartans got the ball first in the second half. Eisenhower turned a broken play into a 52-yard touchdown run. “That was actually a miscue. He was supposed to hand it off to Zander [Westwood] and Zander went in motion early. Brady just kept it and took off,” replied DiFabrizio. The Vikings responded with a 10-yard TD pass from Miller to junior receiver Landon Copenhaver. That 47-yard series pulled them within 35-13 with 4:23 left in the third quarter. Curran Cirulli answered immediately with a long kickoff return to Northern Lebanon’s 20-yard line. A 1-yard touchdown run by Overley increased Wyomissing’s margin to 42-13 with three minutes to play in the quarter.
The Vikings, who went (1-9, 0-7) last fall, didn’t go away quietly under first-year head coach Nate Monroe. They played inspired football and outscored the Spartans 19-0 in the fourth quarter. “I think they fought harder than we did. They wanted it more…You could tell the coach cares for his players and wanted to fight,” acknowledged DiFabrizio. Brady Ryan’s 4-yard touchdown run made it 42-19 just 90 seconds into the final period. Ryan rushed for 116 yards on 26 carries. Northern Lebanon recovered the onside kick which set up a 27-yard TD pass down the left sideline to junior receiver Johnny Hilton. The Vikings trailed 42-26 with 9:07 remaining. Miller, who has eight touchdown passes, was then knocked out of the game with an injury. He was 15-of-23 for 187 yards. Copenhaver reeled in eight passes for 77 yards.
Junior Trystan Dorrittie took over at quarterback midway through the fourth quarter. His pass down the right sideline to freshman Chase Birkhead was overthrown and picked off by Eisenhower with three minutes left. Northern Lebanon got the ball back with 1:52 to go. The Vikings went 60 yards in just one minute. Dorrittie fired a 5-yard TD pass to Yocum with 54 seconds on the clock. However, the 2-point conversion failed which kept it a two possession game.
Bob Wolfrum, in his 40th season as Wyomissing’s head coach, wasn’t pleased with the final quarter. “I think he’s so mad he just said ‘I’ll see you guys on Monday’ and walked away,” said DiFabrizio. Wolfrum has won 383 games and twelve District 3 championships with the Spartans. He guided them to a state title in 2012.
Wyomissing allowed 333 yards on Saturday and committed ten penalties for 102 yards. The Spartans managed 232 total yards, including 221 on the ground. Nye had a team-high 59 yards on seven carries. Westwood chipped in with 50 yards on nine touches. The 6’3, 225-pound senior linebacker made 7.5 tackles. Overley provided 30 yards rushing, 5.5 tackles, and a sack. Wyomissing will get back to work before traveling to ELCO on Friday.