Game Report - Shippensburg 34 - West Chester 18

As we cross the midpoint of the 2021 season, the Golden Rams (4-2, 2-1) have transitioned from a good team that makes a few bad plays to a bad team that makes a few good plays. So many mistakes in all facets were too costly as they fell to Shippensburg (5-1, 2-1) by a score of 34-18.

It’s hard to fault the WCU defense on Ship’s first two touchdowns. The first came after a fourth-down snap sailed over the head of 6’5” punter John George giving the Raiders the ball at the West Chester 18. It only took Shippensburg three plays for Brycen Mussina to toss a 13-yard TD pass. Ship’s second touchdown came after Golden Ram quarterback Zach Gilbert lost a fumble on first down on his only play of the game. Starting again from the West Chester 18, this time it took the Raiders four plays for Mussina to rush for the touchdown and go up 17-3.

Phil Poquie on a 62-yard kickoff return (Photo Gina Chapman)

The Golden Ram defense got things going early in the second half. Defensive end Michael Gobora had a strip sack that was recovered by Jackson Taylor. But even when the offense scored, it wasn’t easy. Running back Phil Poquie ripped a 37-yard run to the Shippensburg 5, only to have the balled stripped from him. Fortunately, he landed on the ball in the end zone for the score. Trailing 17-12, WCU’s two-point conversion succeeded, but was negated by an illegal formation penalty. The second attempt from five yards further out failed. Regardless, the Golden Rams scored and had closed the lead to five. Momentum was with the purple and gold, at least for a few seconds.

Michael Gobora with a tackle for loss (Photo Gina Chapman)

Shippensburg got a good kickoff return which, after a face mask penalty against West Chester, gave them the ball at midfield. The Golden Ram defense showed little resistance as the Raiders rushed for 12 yards then 39 yards to expand their lead to 23-12. West Chester lost any edge that they had. The offense quickly went three-and-out and George’s punt went all of 18 yards, giving Ship the ball at the West Chester 41. But this time, the Golden Ram defense stepped up. Omar Peterkin and Wyatt Smith teamed up on a sack, Elijah Beard registered a tackle for loss, and Cole Zapf made a key stop on fourth and one. So maybe the momentum was back?

It would seem so. Quarterback Desman Johnson lofted a ball to Seth Degree who made a great leaping catch at the Shippensburg 4. But three straight runs failed to penetrate the goal line and Bill Zwaan sent in the field goal unit. But after a timeout, Zwaan reconsidered and sent the offense back on the field. This time, Johnson kept it himself for the touchdown. Another failed two-point conversion put Ship’s lead at 23-18.

Brendan Ruskowski celebrates Desman Johnson's one-yard touchdown plunge
(Photo Gina Chapman)

But just like after West Chester’s first touchdown, the defense allowed the Raiders to quickly score. From their own 29, Ship completed a ten-yard pass and the receiver went the final 61 yards untouched. In less than 90 seconds, West Chester’s deficit was once again 13 points.

The final tally for the Golden Rams? The offense turned the ball over five times, including two fumbles by the quarterback on the first play of a WCU possession. When the offense scored touchdowns, the defense allowed Ship to score quick touchdowns on big plays. And while WCU was flagged only three times, two were 15-yard penalties and one took two points off the scoreboard. The mountain of mistakes was too high to overcome this week.

Quinton Derr offers protection on a field goal (Photo Gina Chapman)

Notes…Running back Ja'Den McKenzie was unable to get on track as he finished with just six yards on seven carries…kicker Sean Henry converted on both of his field goal attempts…in addition to his fumble recovery, Taylor had a team-high ten tackles and a spectacular downfield interception on a tip drill…Zapf finished with seven tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss…while the Golden Rams sacked Mussina four times, they were unable to contain the Ship running game that went for 160 yards…quarterback Shane Dooley, cornerback Ronnie James and right guard Dom Carey didn’t make the trip, speedy return man D'Shaun Seals was not dressed, and defensive end Fulani Freeman and defensive tackle Noah Collachi left the game with injuries.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Falls To Shippensburg, 34-18

Shippensburg Athletic Site - Football gets past West Chester, 34-18

Daily Local News - Turnovers, mental mistakes doom Golden Ram at Shippensburg

WDVM - Shippensburg back in the win column; tops West Chester 34-18

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Shippensburg

Game Replay