Cam Zullinger-Wilson

At 6’ and 185 pounds, Cam Zullinger certainly isn’t the biggest defensive end. The junior knows how to overcome his lack of size. “Stay low and be quick,” he replied. Zullinger was in on ten tackles, including two tackles for loss, as Wilson knocked off Gov. Mifflin 21-14 for the Gurski-Linn trophy. The (4-2) Bulldogs held the Mustangs to 3.8 yards per carry. Gov. Mifflin had just 80 yards in the second half and didn’t score. Zullinger, who also plays basketball, has successfully made the transition from linebacker. Wilson now has a (39-27) advantage in the rivalry with the (3-3) Mustangs. “It’s the biggest game of the year. Everybody looks forward to that game,” said Zullinger. The Bulldogs have won ten of the last thirteen meetings. Gov. Mifflin opened the contest with a 12-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that lasted nearly six and a-half minutes. The Mustangs converted a fake punt when Travis Jenkins completed a 33-yard pass to Lebron Leaf. Brandon Jones finished it off with a 2-yard run. Wilson answered on its second play. Tommy Hunsicker found a wide open Jackson Wagner over the middle for a 46-yard score. Gov. Mifflin put together a 15-play drive that covered 79 yards and took nine minutes and 44 seconds off the clock. Javien Pletz connected with Reese Hohl for 29 yards down the left sideline on fourth-and-13. Hohl, who had two interceptions on the night, stepped out of bounds at the 3-yard line. Pletz hit sophomore tight end Derek Dinatale for a 4-yard touchdown and a 14-7 edge with three minutes remaining in the second quarter. Hunsicker tied it up 90 seconds later with a 35-yard scramble down the left sideline. The Mustangs held the ball for nearly twenty minutes in the first half and 30:37 overall. Gov. Mifflin forced three turnovers, but was outgained 295-246. On fourth-and-14, Hunsicker tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Madyx Gruber on the opening possession of the third period. Once again, the middle of the field was wide open and Gruber ran untouched into the end zone. The Bulldogs’ defense took it from there. The Mustangs turned it over on downs three times and punted once in the second half. On fourth-and-4 with 1:44 to play, Pletz was pressured by Derek Reiniger and threw the ball out of bounds. Wilson took over at its 49-yard line and ran out the clock. Ryan McMillan had twelve total tackles. Hunsicker finished 6-of-11 for 133 yards and two interceptions. The 185-pound senior ran for a team-high 90 yards on 13 carries. “He’s a really tough kid. He bounced back. He did what he needed to do to help us get that win,” stated Zullinger. Pletz, a 165-pound junior, led Gov. Mifflin’s option attack with 54 yards on eight carries. He was 4-of-9 passing for 48 yards. Hohl and Jones combined for 60 rushing yards on 21 touches. Junior fullback Grady Garner was limited to 32 yards on six carries. After an (0-2) start, the Bulldogs have won four in a row. Zullinger asked, “Why doubt us, why?”