[Football] Blocked Field Goal Gives Williamson a Victory Over Stevens, 21-19

After leading 21-6 at halftime over rival Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Williamson saw the Bulldogs come roaring back to pull to within 21-19 late in the game, with an eventual chance to win it with a 43-yard field goal with a minute left.  It was then that Williamson freshman Gregg Kimmel (FR/Folsom, PA), playing his first game of the season due an injury, made perhaps the biggest play of his young career, as he blocked the attempt from Connor Zahn to give Williamson's its first victory over Stevens since 2007.

Heading into the annual rivalry game against Stevens, things looked a bit more daunting than normal for Williamson.  Reigning USCAA Player of the Week Tyler Beasley (SR/Chester Srpings, PA) was ruled out with an injury, as was outstanding freshman defensive end Joe Spillman (FR/Secane, PA).  Down two starters on defense and facing a 4-1 Bulldog team on the road, Williamson's defense had to come together like never before.  And boy, did they ever!

Williamson was absolutely dominating on defense in the first half, as they held Stevens to just 30 yards of total offense and just one first down!  Stevens was 0-5 on third down conversions and ran just 15 offensive plays.  Williamson's offense, on the other hand, was just as dominating.  They ran 39 plays in the first half and held the ball for 23:32, to just 6:28 for Stevens.   

Williamson got on the board first at the 10:06 mark of the first quarter.  After Vince DelPercio (SR/Middletown, DE)'s pass was intercepted at the Stevens 1-yard line, Stevens quarterback Josiah Edwards recovered his own fumble in the end zone on the next play, giving Williamson a safety and a 2-0 lead. 

After holding Stevens to a three and out series, Williamson then went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 21-yard TD run by running back David Williams (JR/Philadelphia, PA), to go up 8-0.  The extra point was missed, something that would add to the drama at the end of the game.

Williamson then struck again, this time in the second quarter.  Facing a Fourth and 13 at the Stevens 27 yard-line, DelPercio found DeJuan Outlaw (SR/Elkton, MD) in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.  The extra point again was missed, giving the Mechanics a 14-0 lead.

Stevens would answer back however, as they scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to Tyreese Musser, but they too would miss the extra point, so the lead was 14-6.

After holding Williamson, Stevens would get the ball back.  They would then fumble at their own 20-yard line, with Williamson defensive end Chris Carney (FR/Coatsville, PA) recovering for the Mechanics.  The very next play, DelPercio found Bryson Townsend (FR/Dillsbury) in the end zone to put Williamson up 20-6.  The would make the extra point and take a 21-6 lead into half.

Anyone knowing anything about the history of the rivalry knew the game was far from over.  Sure enough, while Williamson's defense would remain strong for the third quarter, their special teams hurt them a bit, as Stevens' Jeff May fielded a DeJuan Outlaw punt as his won 30-yard line and went 70 yards for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the quarter.  The extra point pulled them to within 21-13 heading into the final stanza.

After holding Williamson in check for two straight series, the Bulldogs put together their best drive of the game and capped it off with a 15-yard touchdown run by Edwards with 7:05 left.  They decided to go for a two-point conversion, but it failed, and it left Williamson clinging to a 21-19 lead at that point. 

The Mechanics moved the ball some but eventually had to punt. Stevens got the ball back with 4:45 left at their won 20-yard line and managed to drive to the Williamson 20-ayrd line with 1:11 left.  Facing a fourth and nine, they opted to go for a 38-yard field goal attempt to try to win it however a delay of game penalty moved the attempt back five yards to make it a 43-yard attempt.  Kicker Connor Zahm, who had been hitting from 50 yards during warm-ups, never got the chance as Williamson freshmen linebacker Gregg Kimmel got a hand on the kick to block it and give Williamson the win.

The win was the first for Williamson over Stevens wince 2007, and just their second win over the Bulldogs since 1999.  And if anyone was looking for heroes in today's victory, there were plenty to go around. 

-Freshman Chris Carney had five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

-Quincey Williams had six tackles, including two for loss, as well as two sacks and two hurries.

-Gino DiCamillo (SR/Broomall. PA) had eight tackles and a sack.

-George Bradley (JR/Chester, PA) broke up a possible touchdown in the end zone late in the game.

-Kimmel, in addition to the blocked kick, started in place of an injured Tyler Beasley and had five tackles, including one for loss.

-Vince DelPercio had his best game of the year, as he passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

-David Williams once again had a big game, as he rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown, and returned a punt twenty yards to help set up another score.

-DeJuan Outlaw was huge, catching five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for another 18 yards.

-Williamson's offensive line of DaVon Lewis (SR/Chester, PA), Salvatore Carmolingo (FR/Aston, PA), Damier Kimp (JR/Philadelphia, PA), Markell Rollins (FR/Wilmington, DE) and Ian Waterbury (SR/York, PA) combined to give Williamson a balanced attack, as the Mechanics rushed for 160 yards and passed for 164 yards. 

"This is a huge win for our guys and our program.  Everyone was a part of this win, from the starters to the back-ups.  Our coaches did a great job and we really wanted this.  I could not be more excited about the win for the guys and for Williamson," stated an elated Williamson head coach Dan Drake.

With the win, Williamson now moves to 4-0 and has its sights set on Homecoming next week against the Delaware Gamecocks, who ruined Williamson's Homecoming last year.  

"We can't afford a let-up but for now, we are going to enjoy this win.  It has been a long time coming.  More than a long time coming," closed Drake.

LEADERS:

Offense:                                                          Defense:

Rushing:  Williams – 71yards                        Tackles:  DiCamillo - 8

Passing:  DelPercio – 164 yards                     Sacks:  Q. Williams – 2

Receiving:  Outlaw – 63 yards                        Interceptions:  Carney – 1

                                                                        Tackles for Loss: Moriarty and Williams - 2

                                                                        Fumble Recoveries: Carney - 1