Wyoming Area at Scranton Prep

Recap

SCRANTON PREP 28, WYOMING AREA 6

It was a game and then, suddenly, it wasn’t. Scranton Prep utilized a lethal big-play offensive surge in the third quarter to put away Wyoming Area 28-6, securing the Cavaliers’ third consecutive PIAA District 2 Class 3A championship. The Cavaliers will face Northwestern Lehigh, the program that ended their season last year, in the state quarterfinals next weekend.

As has often been the case for Prep, the Cavaliers took the opening kickoff and scored on their very first drive of the football game. Prep marched 74 yards in just 9 plays, garnering all of and 5 to put the football inside the Warrior 20-yard line. Four plays later, Paris bulled his way into the end zone from 10 yards out for the first of his two touchdowns. Tyler Bianchi’s extra point made the score 7-0 with 8:11 remaining in the opening quarter.

The teams traded fumbles on their ensuing possessions. Late in the first half, the Cavaliers were driving, reaching the Wyoming Area 20-yard line. On the next play, Paris threw a screen pass that Treyvon Dickey caught and then fumbles, giving the Warriors the football deep in their own territory. Wyoming Area essentially ran out the first half clock with the knowledge that they would be receiving the second half kickoff.

Prep forced the Warriors to punt on their first possession of the second half, a boot that was finally downed at the Prep 5-yard line. After four plays moved the football out to the 25, Paris electrified the crowd with a 75-yard sprint in front of the Wyoming Area bench, outrunning several Warriors on his way to paydirt. Bianchi added another point to make the score 14-0 with 6:59 left in the third quarter.

Wyoming Area could not manage to string together first downs, turning the ball over on an incomplete pass at the Prep 46. On the next play from scrimmage, Paris connected with Will McPartland on a screen pass that the junior back turned upfield, racing 54 yards untouched to the end zone. Bianchi’s kick made it 21-0 with 3:33 left in the third frame.

The script remained unchanged. Wyoming Area, after a string of incomplete passes, turned the ball over on downs at the Prep 49-yard line. Lightning struck on the next play as senior wingback Treyvon Dickey scooted 51-yards down the sideline, giving Prep their third touchdown in as many offensive snaps. With 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Prep led 28-0.

The Warriors did manage to score on what would turn out to be their final drive of the season. Wyoming Area traveled 65 yards in 16 plays with record-setting tailback Lidge Kellum doing the honors from a yard out with just 5:13 left in the game. The extra point was blocked, making the final score 28-6 in favor of the district champion Cavaliers.

Prep outgained Wyoming Area 405 to 206. Paris, whose numbers continue to astonish as the season progresses, rushed for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 10 carries. He connected on 4 of 7 passes for 98 yards and the touchdown to McPartland.

Prep improved their record to 12-1 on their way to their third consecutive trip to the state playoffs. Wyoming Area’s season ended at 11-2.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter

SP – Louis Paris 10-yd run (Tyler Bianchi kick) – Scranton Prep 7-0

2nd Quarter

None

3rd Quarter

SP – Paris 75-yd run (Bianchi kick) – Scranton Prep 14-0

SP – Will McPartland 54-yd pass from Paris (Bianchi kick) – Scranton Prep 21-0

SP – Treyvon Dickey 51-yd run (Bianchi kick) – Scranton Prep 28-0

4th Quarter

WA – Lidge Kellum 1-yd run (Kick failed) – Scranton Prep 28-6