The uneasiness started almost right away. Although the Golden Ram defense forced a three-and-out on Bloomsburg’s opening possession and Jarel Elder busted a 49-yard run on West Chester’s first drive, it set up a first-and-goal for the purple and gold, which isn’t historically a strong suit. Three plays advanced the ball only four yards and set up a field goal opportunity. But Andrew Chegia’s 21-yard attempt was pulled left. But it was still early.
This Quintin Smith interception was negated by a penalty (Photo Ron Hockman)After another defensive three-and-out, West Chester again moved the ball into Bloomsburg territory. But Paul Dooley’s third pass attempt of the day was picked off by the Huskies. The game remained scoreless into the second quarter and Bloomsburg started on their own 27-yard line after a Brendan Paulison 62-yard punt. On a Husky third-and-eight, Quintin Smith intercepted a Bloomsburg pass, but the play was negated when he was flagged for pass interference. The drive was extended and resulted in a Bloomsburg touchdown that consumed over seven minutes off the clock. It wasn’t as early in the game anymore, but this was a Golden Ram team that was averaging over 42 points a game, so there wasn’t a really need to be nervous.
Mark Dukes made this key catch late in the first half (Photo Ron Hockman)Right on cue, West Chester responded with a 70-yard drive of its own, keyed by a Dooley to Mark Dukes 25-yard completion and capped by an Elder one-yard plunge. But when George Lambritsios’s point-after-touchdown attempt was blocked, it was time to squirm. At intermission, Dooley was just 7 of 14 for 68 yards passing and there weren’t any attempts downfield. And A.J. Long, who was the PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week three weeks ago, was not dressed.
Frank Tranzilli celebrates Jarel Elder's touchdown (Photo Ron Hockman)Suspicions of Dooley’s health should have grown at the start of the second half when West Chester rushed the ball on six consecutive plays, but it was concealed by the fact that those six carries went for 63 yards and another Elder touchdown to give West Chester a 13-7 lead. Later it was ironically Bloomsburg that threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-13 lead into the final quarter.
Omar Peterkin registers a TFL (Photo Ron Hockman)A poor Bloomsburg punt gave the Golden Rams the ball at midfield. This time, West Chester ran five consecutive running plays and regained the lead on Elder's third touchdown of the game. Unfortunately the two-point conversion was fumbled and West Chester’s lead stood at 19-14. However there was still over seven minutes left to play.
The offensive line opened huge holes all day (Photo Ron Hockman)Bloomsburg’s drive started at their own 35 and they quickly got to midfield. After converting a fourth-down, a Bloomsburg holding call was negated by a personal foul on West Chester. Later on a fourth-and-nine, on what looked to be a game-clinching pass breakup, West Chester was called for pass interference, giving Bloomsburg 15 yards, a first down, and new life. The Huskies would get into the end zone, but their two-point attempt failed, so their lead stood at 20-19. But their clock-consuming drive left the Golden Rams with just 99 seconds. In desperation mode, Dooley was picked off twice, with the second one coming as time expired.
For the game, Dooley was just 8 of 19 for 106 yards and 3 interceptions. Elder had another monster game, picking up 171 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Defensively, Tyler Morrissey had another huge day with 15 tackles including a sack and two quarterback hurries. Jarey Elder had 8 tackles and two leaping pass breakups and freshman Nate Barnes registered a sack among his five tackles.
Tyler Morrissey had another big day on defense (Photo Ron Hockman)But in the end, a missed chip shot field goal, a blocked PAT, three interceptions, a bobbled snap on a two-point attempt, a pass interference penalty that negated an interception and another one that extended a Bloomsburg drive on fourth down was just too much to overcome.
Former West Chester and NFL linebacker Carl Gersbach served as honorary captain (Photo Ron Hockman)Notes – Left tackle Evyn Stadulis and right guard Vince Lostracco missed the game with injuries and were replaced in the lineup by freshman Patrick Ferry and sophomore Frank Tranzilli. Ferry’s appearance marks the fifth true freshman (Barnes, Isaiah Cruz, Jalik Smith, Gabe Schappell) to play this season for the Golden Rams…defensive tackle Omar Peterkin and shark linebacker Nydair Rouse suffered injuries during the game. Peterkin, who didn’t appear on the depth chart as recently as two weeks ago against Kutztown, has been thrust into the starting role with the disappearance of Kavon Johnson and the injury to Joe DeSanto…Bloomsburg held over a ten minute advantage in time of possession, including holding the ball for almost 12 minutes in the fourth quarter...Although West Chester was only called for four penalties, all of them resulted in Bloomsburg first downs...It's the first game that Tyler Karpinski hasn't registered a catch since October 3, 2015 against Lock Haven.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Falls to Bloomsburg, 20-19
Bloomsburg Athletic Site - Football Stays In Postseason Picture With 20-19 Win At West Chester Saturday
Delaware County Daily Times - Bunching up
The Quad - Football in four-way PSAC tie
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