Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Trinity was threatening to even the score midway through the second quarter on Saturday afternoon. On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, the Shamrocks called a play-action pass. Junior defensive back Brady Focht stepped in front of tight end Sam Sweppenhiser and came up with an interception in the end zone. That was the first of four turnovers forced by Wyomissing in a 21-0 victory at Bob Wolfrum Field. “Coach says all the time that turnovers win games and we proved it today. Our defense played amazing,” said DE/OLB Diamante Strong. The top-seeded Spartans won their eighth straight game and advanced to the District 3-3A Championship against third-seeded Annville-Cleona. Wyomissing will meet the Dutchmen on Friday at 7pm at ELCO. The fourth-seeded Shamrocks saw their season end at (6-5). They were the defending district champions in Class 3A. Trinity was without starting quarterback Makai George. He was ruled ineligible for the playoffs after transferring from Central Dauphin East.
The (8-2) Spartans reached the 2-yard line on their opening possession, but Sweppenhiser recovered a fumble which kept the District 3-3A semifinal scoreless. Wyomissing went in front on its next series. Zander Westwood’s 25-yard run capped a 63-yard drive with 2:12 left in the first quarter. After Focht’s interception, the Spartans took over at the 20-yard line with 5:44 remaining before halftime. A 33-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brady Eisenhower made it 14-0 with two minutes to go in the half. The 6’, 170-pound junior finished with a team-high 82 yards and 2 TD on a dozen carries. “Him being a leader, we feed off of him. Every time we hear a play going to his side, we know it’s a touchdown. He’s a physical runner. He’s not scared of contact,” replied Strong. Eisenhower was 6-of-9 through the air for 97 yards.
The Spartans marched 66 yards on the opening possession of the third quarter. On third-and-7, Eisenhower rolled left and found Curran Cirulli for a 12-yard gain to the 19-yard line. Eisenhower’s 3-yard touchdown run gave Wyomissing a 21-0 cushion with 8:32 left in the third period. The Shamrocks turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter, including a pair of interceptions by Andrew DiFabrizio. The senior WR/DB also provided 67 yards on three catches. “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this kid. He’s unbelievable. Every week, he doesn’t fail to impress me. He’s a guy you can rely on. He’s in your corner, you can’t lose,” emphasized Strong.
The Spartans outgained Trinity 299-to-246 in total yards. Wyomissing ran the ball 44 times for 202 yards. Westwood, a 225-pound senior, turned seven carries into 53 yards. Ethan Nye added 52 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Gov. Mifflin transfer Rylan Overley returned from a quadriceps injury. The 6’3, 210-pound sophomore managed eleven yards on five carries. Strong, a 210-pound senior, and the Spartans’ defense did a good job of containing Brandon Harris. The 6’1, 235-pound junior ran for 81 yards on 14 carries. Harris wrapped up his season with 1,357 rushing yards and 18 TD. He rumbled for 1,214 yards as a sophomore last fall. Nick Sweppenhiser stepped in for George at quarterback. The 5’10, 175-pound sophomore was 11-of-22 for 137 yards and 2 INT.
Wyomissing remained unbeaten in home playoff games. The Spartans improved to (46-20) all-time in the District 3 tournament. They’re searching for their 13th district title. Annville-Cleona knocked off Schuylkill Valley 21-14 in the semifinals on Friday in Leesport. The (8-3) Dutchmen rely on a triple-option attack. “We’re really excited. We don’t back down from any challenge,” said Strong.
