Bob Wolfrum-Wyomissing

The Spartans entered Hersheypark Stadium averaging 311 rushing yards per game and 7.7 per carry. Central Valley defensive tackles Sean FitzSimmons and Jackson Tonya were determined to shut down that potent running attack. They controlled the line of scrimmage and helped the Warriors capture their second straight Class 3A state championship. FitzSimmons and Tonya combined for 14 tackles and 3TFL in a 7-0 victory over Wyomissing. The (15-1) Spartans came in averaging 45 points. They hadn’t been shutout since the 2017 District 3 championship against Middletown. Wyomissing had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard with 6:30 left, but FitzSimmons burst into the backfield and knocked the ball away from Ben Zechman before the junior quarterback even had a chance to roll out. I spoke with Bob Wolfrum about that 4th down play from the 3-yard line. The Spartans’ longtime head coach explained why they didn’t attempt a field goal in that situation. The 6’3, 280-pound FitzSimmons is committed to Pittsburgh. Tonya is a 6’2, 225-pound junior. Both had over 110 tackles this season. They’re a big reason why Wyomissing averaged 2.9 yards per carry. The Spartans were limited to 115 total yards and just 34 in the second half. Zechman finished 3-11 for 13 yards, but Wolfrum emphasized that he was under pressure all afternoon. Wyomissing was 2-12 on third down. Tommy Grabowski had a team-high 55 yards. However, seven of his fifteen carries went for one yard or less. Wolfrum had high praise for his defense. The (15-0) Warriors were averaging 47.6 points before squaring off with the Spartans. They put up 35 points on Wyomissing in last year’s state final. Junior OLB Matthew Kramer was in on eleven stops for the Spartans. J.J. Jackson blocked a 19-yard FG attempt on the opening possession. The 6’3, 240-pound DT made 5.5 tackles. Wolfrum said Jackson gave the team a big boost after moving from New York before the season. The only score came on a 28-yard run off the left side by Landon Alexander with ten minutes to go. The all-state running back went over 200 yards for the fourth consecutive game! Alexander piled up 231 yards on 35 carries. Eight of his touches against Wyomissing went for ten yards or more. Alexander owns the school record with 4,161 career rushing yards. 296 of Central Valley’s 313 yards came on the ground. Quarterback Antwon Johnson picked up two critical yards on a 4th & 1 sneak with 4:30 remaining. Head coach Mark Lyons rolled the dice from his own 18-yard line and it paid off. This was the Warriors third straight appearance in the state final. They’ve won 27 games in a row. Wolfrum knows that he had a very special group of seniors. They earned the Spartans’ tenth District 3 title. Don’t be surprised to see Wyomissing back in Hershey next year.