Warriors Win opener 48-7

TIMES LEADER

By Tom Robinson

THROOP — There will be nights when Dominic DeLuca throws the ball much more effectively.
Friday night, in the season opener, DeLuca showed he can do many other things to help Wyoming Area win.
DeLuca ran for two scores and made contributions with his defense, punting and kick returning as Wyoming Area rolled to a 48-7 victory at Mid Valley.
Corey Mruk also ran for two touchdowns and F.J. Braccini returned a fumble 29 yards for a score to lead a defense that allowed just 40 yards total offense.
DeLuca had a 65-yard touchdown pass to Brian Williams wiped out by an ineligible receiver downfield penalty, leaving him just 2-for-7 passing. He found many other ways to contribute.
“Dominic’s a well-rounded player,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “He does a lot of jobs for us out there. He was outstanding punting tonight.
“He’s just a hard worker; a leader. Regardless stat-wise, what someone like Dominic brings to the field as a player and a leader is critical.”
DeLuca had a pair of 4-yard touchdown runs, one in each of the first two quarters, and shared the team rushing lead of 65 yards on a night when the Warriors built a 304-27 advantage on the ground.
On defense, DeLuca had two tackles, including one for a loss, and assisted on another. His 17-yard punt return put Wyoming Area at the Mid Valley 38 for its second possession, setting up the team’s second score.
DeLuca got off a high, 34-yard punt under pressure in the first half, then, with the offense struggling a bit to start the second half, his 51-yard punt pinned Mid Valley at the 7 and created the field-position shift that led to a touchdown and 35-7 lead.
“Passing-wise tonight it was rough,” DeLuca said. “ … Special teams, I just try to run the ball hard and, on offense, I just put my head down and try to get the ball in the end zone.”
Braccini made his way to the end zone after picking up a fumble, giving Wyoming Area a 21-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game.
The Warriors defense was too much for the Spartans, who got the first of their three first downs on a penalty.
The only Mid Valley score came after an interception return to the Wyoming Area 7.
“All things considered, playing a lot of guys in our first game, I thought our defense played well,” Spencer said.
Cameron Carr had six tackles, including a sack, and a rushed passer. Mruk had five tackles, including a sack, and an assist.
Junior fullback/defensive end Sammy Solomon, a Division I prospect who transferred to Wyoming Area from Wyoming Valley West in the spring, left the game with a leg injury midway through the first quarter and did not return.
Wyoming Area 48, Mid Valley 7
Wyoming Area`21`7`7`13`—`48
Mid Valley`0`7`0`0`—`7
First quarter
WA – Corey Mruk 6 run (F.J. Braccini kick), 9:00
WA – Dominic DeLuca 4 run (Braccini kick), 2:58
WA – Braccini 29 fumble return (Aleah Kranson kick), 2:02
Second quarter
MV – Joe Chylak 1 run (Sam Borgacci kick), 6:46
WA – DeLuca 4 run (Kranson kick), 0:42.5
Third quarter
WA – Mruk 1 run (Kranson kick), 0:36.9
Fourth quarter
WA – Leonardo Haros 6 run (kick blocked), 5:06
WA – Vincenzo Giambra 65 run (Josh Cumbo kick), 0:55.3
Team statistics`WA`MV
First downs`14`3
Rushes-yards`37-304`44-27
Passing yards`21`13
Total yards`325`40
Passing`3-9-1`4-6-0
Sacked-yards lost`1-3`4-23
Punts-avg.`4-42.5`7-24.0
Fumbles-lost`1-1`1-1
Penalties-yards`6-40`3-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — WA, Vincenzo Giambra 1-65, Dominic DeLuca 8-65, Leonardo Haros 6-62, Corey Mruk 9-50, Darren Rodney 6-34, Dillon Williams 2-12, Zajquay Williamson 2-8, Sammy Solomon 2-5, F.J. Braccini 1-3. MV, Ethan Booth 9-30, Devin Ayala 4-14, Sebastian Brudnicki 2-7, Aaron Killino 1-minus 4, Joe Chylak 13-minus 6, Cameron Riccardo 5-minus 14.
PASSING — WA, DeLuca 2-7-1-20, Jacob Williams 1-2-0-1. MV, Riccardo 2-3-0-11, Chylak 1-2-0-1, Patrick Ferke 1-1-0-1.
RECEIVING — WA, Brian Williams 1-16, Dimitri Depietro 1-4, Riley Rusyn 1-1. MV, Zach Rebar 2-10, Ayala 2-3.
INTERCEPTIONS — WA, none. MV, Josh Angelo 1-14.