By Tyler Kolesar Staff Writer
FLINTON - A couple big plays and winning the turnover battle was the difference for the Glendale Vikings, as they defeated the Williamsburg Blue Pirates, 26-14, at Dr. Roy F. Baker Athletic Field on Friday.
"Anytime you win the turnover battle, you should win," said Vikings head coach Matt Irvine. "With as many fumble recoveries as we had, I think we only had one turnover. That definitely was a key factor in the game."
Irvine said it was a total team effort by his squad, as the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the year.
"The little things we did right tonight," said Irvine. "It was a team win, team effort. The hustle, the blocking downfield by everybody ... The defense communicating; I think they did a better job at that. The line picked it up this week. They kind of let me down the past two weeks, but I was happy with them tonight."
Things originally looked grim for the Vikings, as they received the opening kickoff and proceeded to go three-and-out on their first possession.
Williamsburg got its opening drive on its own 41-yard line and made it count, as the Blue Pirates pounded the Viking defense on 13 consecutive running plays that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Alan Shanholtz.
The second possession for Glendale didn't turn out any better, again resulting in a three-and-out after quarterback Gary Witherow was sacked by Brandon Leidy on a third-and-6 from the Glendale 45-yard line.
Glendale got its first break of the night on the ensuing play, as Doug Twigg had a 51-yard punt that rolled to the Williamsburg 11-yard line. The Blue Pirates couldn't get anything going on their second possession and were forced to punt, giving the ball back to Glendale at the Williamsburg 37.
On the next Viking play, Witherow connected with Twigg in the flats and the Glendale running back was able to turn it into a 28-yard gain, resulting in first-and-goal at the 8-yard line. On third-and-goal at the 3, Witherow stepped back and threw a quick slant to Matt Bantly that resulted in the first touchdown of the night for the Vikings with 11:56 remaining in the second quarter.
A Derrian Matchock extra point tied the score at seven.
The Vikings defense came up with a stop on third-and-1 on Williamsburg's next possession, forcing the Blue Pirates on their second consecutive three-and-out. A 17-yard punt by Quinton Snyder gave the Vikings the ball on their own 45.
Glendale then pulled out a fake punt from their bag of tricks on fourth-and-7 from the Blue Pirate 48-yard line, as a direct snap to Damon Braniff went for 14 yards and extended the drive. Five plays later, the Vikings went for it on fourth-and-3 at the Williamsburg 20.
Witherow rolled out to the left and connected with Twigg on a nine-yard pickup. Three plays later, Glendale took its first lead of the evening with a one-yard run up the gut from Braniff with 4:58 remaining in the first half.
Another Matchock extra point gave the Vikings a 14-7 advantage.
Williamsburg quickly answered the Vikings, as they started their next drive from the Glendale 45. A holding call set up the Blue Pirates with a two-and-18 from the Viking 48-yard line.
Blue Pirate quarterback Austin McMonagle connected with Snyder to pick up the 18 yards, and added an extra 15 yards after an unnecessary roughness was called on Glendale's Brandon Johns for a late hit out of bounds.
On fourth-and-6 at the Vikings 15, McMonagle hit Caleb Morrissey on a strike down the middle with 2:08 left in the second quarter, and a Snyder extra point once again tied up the game.
Glendale had a change to run the two-minute drill starting from its own 35-yard line. Witherow completed a six-yard pass to Bantly and then threaded the needle into double coverage on third-and-4, as Twigg came up with the catch for a 12-yard gain.
Mixing passes and runs, the Vikings were able to make it to the Blue Pirates 12-yard line with 8.1 seconds left in the half. However on third down, Witherow was picked off by Jed Dishong, and both teams went into the locker room at the half with 14 points.
Weather became a factor to start the second half, as the clouds opened up, limiting the air attack for both sides in the third quarter.
The Blue Pirates couldn't get anything going on their opening second half drive, giving the ball back to Glendale at their own 17. The Vikings caught another break on fourth-and-1, as Williamsburg muffed the Twigg punt and was able to recover at the Blue Pirate 36-yard line.
Glendale was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, again punting and pinning Williamsburg at its own 5-yard line.
The teams traded three-and-outs before the Blue Pirates started to move the ball like they did in their opening drive of the game. Blue Pirate workhorse Shanholtz had five runs on the team's 11-play drive. However, the Vikings defense stepped up and stopped McMonagle on a fourth-and-2 quarterback keeper at the Vikings 26.
Glendale needed only one play to break the tie, taking the lead for good with 9:20 left in the game.
Twigg took a handoff to the right, broke numerous tackles near the line of scrimmage, and was able to turn it up the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run.
"It was just a simple sweep to the left. He saw a hole and cut back," said Irvine. "Right now he's been our hardest runner on the year. Anytime we get him the ball, I'm excited to watch."
A missed extra point gave the Vikings a six-point lead, as turnovers would doom in the Blue Pirates for the remainder of the game.
On second-and-1 from the Glendale 30-yard line, McMonagle bobbled the shotgun snap. Braniff arose from the pile with the pigskin, and the Vikings were able to capitalize on another turnover.
Glendale took its attack to the ground, clawing for 17 yards on six runs by Braniff, Twigg, Witherow and Shea O'Donnell, reaching the Blue Pirate 43. Witherow was able to tack on the final points of the evening, as he took a 43-yard run into the end zone with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter, setting the final score at 26-14.
"It was just an option, and he saw the pull and kept it and turned it on," said Irvine.
Williamsburg once again fumbled, this time on the quarterback exchange, and Johns came up with the ball. The Vikings were able to run out the clock for the rest of the game.
Irvine was especially pleased with his team's second half effort on all facets of the game, as the Vikings outscored the Blue Pirates 12-0.
"If we can get these three guys (Braniff, Twigg and Witherow) going in the backfield, the second half (results) is what can happen," said Irvine. "Very happy with the defense. They stepped it up in the second half, didn't give up anything ... We got a fourth down stop, a couple fumble recoveries ... We gotta keep it up."
Glendale travels to West Branch on Friday, while Williamsburg (1-2) hosts Everett.
Glendale 26
Williamsburg 14

Score By Quarters
Williamsburg   7   7  0   0-14
Glendale        0  14  0  12-26

First Quarter
W-Shanholtz 1 run, (Snyder kick), 4:07.
Second Quarter
G-Bantly 3 pass from Witherow, (Matchock kick), 11:56.
G-Braniff 1 run, (Matchock kick), 4:58.
W-Morrissey 15 pass from McMonagle, (Snyder kick), 2:08.
Fourth Quarter
G-Twigg 75 run, (kick failed), 9:20.
G-Witherow 43 run, (kick failed), 3:22.

TEAM STATISTICS
W G
Total First Downs 9 12
Rushes-Yards 38-126 39-241
Comp-Att-Int 5-9-0 7-14-1
Passing Yards 69 78
Total Plays-Yards 47-195 53-319
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 0-0
Punts-Avg 4-33 5-29.8
Penalties-Yards 3-26 4-37

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Williamsburg-Shanholtz 24-95, Dishong 5-13, McMonagle 6-11, Morrissey 2-5, Team 1-2.
Glendale-Twigg 11-115, Witherow 9-70, Braniff 18-51, O'Donnell 1-5.
Passing
Williamsburg-McMonagle 5-of-9, 69 yds., 1 TD.
Glendale-Witherow 7-of-14, 78 yds., 1 TD, 1 Int.
Receiving
Williamsburg-Morrissey 3-30, T. Bookhammer 1-21, Snyder 1-18.
Glendale-Braniff 2-40, Twigg 2-21, Bantly 3-17.