Warren Ruda

LEB VAL HOLDS OFF LATE WILKES SURGE IN 42-35 WIN

11/5/2011 6:01:00 PM

LEB VAL HOLDS OFF LATE WILKES SURGE IN 42-35 WIN

EDWARDSVILLE – The top-ranked Lebanon Valley offense didn't disappoint on Saturday as the visiting Flying Dutchmen racked up 513 total yards including 277 yards through the air and four touchdowns to hold off Wilkes University 42-35 in a Middle Atlantic Conference matchup at Schmidt Stadium.

Wilkes drops to 3-5 overall and 3-4 in MAC play. Lebanon Valley improves to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in league games.

Lebanon Valley wasted little time showing off their explosive offense electing to receive the ball after they won the opening coin toss. From there, the Flying Dutchmen went six plays using just 2:14 capped off by a Ben Guiles 29-yard touchdown run to take a 6-0 lead. The extra point attempt would sail wide right.

Wilkes responded on their first drive of the contest using both the ground game and the passing attack. Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) rushed for eight yards followed by an 11-yard strike from Alex George (York, PA/West York) to Ryan Behrman and a 16-yard completion to Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East) to move the Colonels into Lebanon Valley territory at the 39. Another George to Eagles connection this time for 14 yards put the ball at the LVC 21. From there, the Wilkes play-call was on the money as the Colonels used a screen pass to Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) out of the back field for a 17-yard touchdown catch and run to tie the game at 6-6 with 7:31 left in the first quarter. A Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic) extra point gave the Colonels their first lead of the contest at 7-6.

After a Guiles fumble forced by Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) on the ensuing kickoff setup Wilkes in LVC territory, the Colonels were unable to take advantage of the fine field position going three and out. LVC used a quick four play, 77 yard drive capped by a 47 yard touchdown pass from Colt Zarilla to Tim Picerno to take back the lead at 13-7 following the extra point with 4:30 left in the quarter.

The Wilkes offense got back on track on their next possession as Wogou continued to have his way on the ground rushing twice for 11 yards. George would connect with his favorite target on the afternoon, Eagles, for a 31 yard completion to put Wilkes at the LVC 13. After two rushing attempts failed to get into the end zone, George faced a third and four and the sophomore signal caller took advantage of a miscue in the LVC secondary finding a wide open Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) in the back of the end zone to give Wilkes a 14-13 lead with 12:20 left in the first half.

Lebanon Valley answered right back with another promising drive going 10 plays, 58 yards as Zarilla snuck in from one yard out to gave LVC a 20-14 lead with 8:02 on the clock.

After a costly fumble by George on a quarterback draw, LVC was at the offensive again. Zarilla hit Picerno for a 23 yard completion, followed by a 35-yard reception to put the ball deep in Wilkes territory at the two. From there Zarilla scrambled before finding his tight end Matt Mankiewicz for a two-yard score to up the lead to 27-14 with 1:41 left in the half.

The teams' offenses cooled off following the halftime break as Wilkes was the only team to find the end zone in the third quarter. A George 32-yard run followed by a Behrman 17-yard scamper put the Colonels at the LVC 3. George then rushed twice, diving in for the score form one yard out to complete the six play, 52 yard scoring drive. Arentz was true on the point after to cut the deficit to 27-21 with 14:18 left in the period.

LVC went back to their star receiver in the fourth quarter as Picerno caught his second and third touchdowns of the contest in the final frame. He first grabbed a 41-yard pass from Zarilla to up the lead to 34-21 then six minutes later made an eight yard reception to push the lead to 42-21 with 8:53 left in the contest.

Wilkes used a 35-yard touchdown run from Tivald to bring the Colonels to within 42-28 with 7:39 remaining. The Wilkes defense provided a timely spark as Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) forced a Zarilla fumble to give the Colonels the ball back at the LVC 48.

George hit Daniel Curry (Drexel Hill, PA/Cardinal Ohara) and Tivald to bring the ball down to the LVC 2. George then rushed for his second score of the game to cut the lead to seven at 42-35.

Wilkes tried to recover the onside kick, but the steady hand of Picerno fell on the ball and sealed the LVC road victory.

George finished with 84 yards rushing and two scores while throwing for 272 yards (28-for-46) and two more touchdowns. Tivald totaled 49 yards on 10 attempts, while Wogou had nine carries for 43 yards.

Wogou also led the Colonels with seven receptions for 57 yards and one score. Eagles followed with five catches for 73 yards, while Bousson made four grabs for 35 yards and one touchdown.

Moore-Jacobs led the Wilkes defense with 13 tackles and a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) finished with a career-high 12 stops and one sack. Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) had six tackles and one interception, while Matt Briskie (Moosic, PA/Riverside) made his first career start finishing with the other Wilkes interception.

Guiles had a game-high 208 yards and one score to lead the LVC ground attack. Zarilla went 13-for-26 with 277 yards and a season-high four touchdowns through the air.

Picerno had a stellar day catching the football finishing with seven catches for 198 yards and three scores.

Wilkes will return to action Saturday when the Colonels host Stevenson University (2-7, 1-6 MAC) on Senior Day at Schmidt Stadium at 12:00 p.m. The 13 Colonel senior players will be honored prior to kick-off.

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