Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Wyomissing was averaging 43 points entering Saturday’s game at Bob Wolfrum Field. Twin Valley limited the Spartans to under 200 total yards in a 28-6 victory. “All 14 guys that play defense played exceptional. They had a great week of practice. If we go back to Tuesday’s practice and we said this was gonna happen, I don’t think we’d be shocked,” said head coach Brett Myers. Wyomissing, which was ranked #3 in the state in Class 4A, was held without a touchdown. Greyson Miller was in the middle of all the action. The 6’1, 265-pound defensive tackle had six tackles as the Raiders shut down the Spartans’ Wing-T attack. “It’s a little bit more physical inside, but that’s how we like it,” stated Miller. He gave credit to the coaching staff for preparing them all week. “Read our keys, be disciplined with our eyes and don’t get caught up with all the stuff in the background,” explained Miller. Twin Valley outgained Wyomissing 324-to-196. The (8-0, 5-0) Raiders churned out 279 yards on the ground. “Some of these guys were JV linemen last year and they decided to commit to the weight room back in December. Some of the numbers they put up in the weight room showed today,” noted Myers.
Drew Engle kicked off the afternoon with a 54-yard run. The 5’11, 185-pound senior ended up with 196 yards and 2 TD on 26 carries. Engle, who also starts at safety, is committed to Army for lacrosse. Lucas Myers polished off Twin Valley’s opening 70-yard drive by taking a direct snap out of the shotgun for a 3-yard touchdown. Myers, a 215-pound junior, provided 83 yards and 2 TD on 15 carries. The linebacker duo of Myers and senior Ryan Rementer combined for 16 tackles. “They’re always playing with an edge, running fast to the ball. It’s really blessed to have those type of guys on our team,” said Miller. Rementer racked up a team-high ten tackles.
The (7-1, 4-1) Spartans put together a nine and a-half minute possession that stretched into the second quarter. It included a 23-yard pass from sophomore Brady Eisenhower to junior tight end Diamante Strong. However, Wyomissing settled for a 32-yard field goal from Keegan Maher with five minutes left in the first half. Ben Grundy fumbled the ensuing kickoff which was recovered by Strong at the Raiders’ 43-yard line. Maher made a 22-yard field goal to pull the Spartans within 7-6 before halftime.
Twin Valley marched 70 yards on the first series of the second half to go up 14-6. Myers’ 19-yard run up the middle set up his 3-yard touchdown. The Raiders pinned Wyomissing deep in its own territory late in the third quarter. A nifty punt return by Grundy put Twin Valley at the Spartans’ 21-yard line. Engle scored on a 3-yard run to extend the lead to 21-6 with 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Raiders went on a 70-yard drive on their following possession. Engle’s 10-yard run off the right edge put Twin Valley in front 28-6 with 4:11 on the clock. “It’s the way football should be in the state of Pennsylvania. Two state-ranked teams playing on a grass field in rain and mud. It’s good stuff,” replied Myers. The Raiders are ranked #5 in Class 4A by PennLive. They got an efficient performance from sophomore quarterback Maverik Foster. He was 7-of-9 for 51 yards.
Wyomissing junior Justice Hardy had a quiet afternoon. The All-State selection managed just 17 yards on six carries. Chase Eisenhower, a 220-pound senior fullback, had a team-high 55 yards on ten touches. The Spartans ran the ball 36 times for 156 yards. Twin Valley’s defensive line was up to the challenge. That group includes Miller, Mark Minardi, Joey Buckley, Aaryn Sumner, Noah DiGiacomo, and Andrew Cabigas.
The Raiders return home on Friday when Lampeter-Strasburg visits Elverson. That will be a battle for first place in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The Pioneers are the defending section champions. They’re (7-1, 5-0) this season.