In a game that could have gone either way, the Pioneers pulled off a dramatic 39-37 victory against the West Chester Golden Rams of Pennsylvania that ended in triple-overtime.
Ironically the difference in the game would happen to be its first score when Post defensive lineman Lou Scala jumped on a fumble in the end zone recording a safety, good for two points.
The small lead wouldn’t last long before West Chester responded with a touchdown. Golden Rams running back D’Andre Webb found the end zone on a five yard dash to change the score in the Golden Rams favor 7-2 at the end of the first quarter.
The Pioneers marched back down the field and would regain the lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Erik Anderwkavich to junior tight end Andre Davis to put the Pioneers up by the score of 9-7. The Golden Rams responded with a 15 play 72-yard drive down the field that resulted in a touchdown to close out the half.
Post came out strong in the second half driving 76 yards down field. After being halted just four yards from the end zone, Pioneers coach called on kicker Paul Stoltz to kick a 21-yard field goal, that was good, but a personal foul penalty against West Chester would give the Pioneers a second chance at a touchdown, and they took advantage. Freshman running back Anthony Brunetti rushed into the end zone to put Pioneers on top 16-14. West Chester would take a one point lead on a field goal but lost it when Anderwkvaich found Joe Botti for the 14-yard touchdown reception with roughly 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
After an interception by Post line backer Ronnie Modik, the Pioneers attempted to draw out the clock as long as they could until they were forced to punt. The Golden Rams returned the kick to the Post 28 yard line with 55 seconds remaining in the game. The Rams needed just two plays to tie the score when Mike Mattei found Dan Depalma in the end zone before the end of regulation.
The Post Pioneers headed into their first overtime game since 2007 and started it with a drive down field, scoring on a Brunetti run, his second of the game. But unlike the NFL overtime rule of sudden death, college allows each team a possession to score. With that opportunity West Chester capitalized and scored a two-yard touchdown by running back Jackson Fagan to keep the game going.
Defense dominated the second overtime with each team going scoreless. Like the first OT Post scored on a Bruentti run. Coach Collins then decided to go for a two point conversion that connected to give the Pioneers a 39-31 lead.
The Post defense needing a stop allowed a scare when the Golden Rams would score on a pass from Mattei but failed to connect on the two point conversion allowing the Pioneers to walk away victorious
Quarterback Erik Anderwkavich, who has had struggles with turnovers, played flawlessly against the Golden Rams throwing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, also rushing for 45 yards. Darnel Williams continued to be a favorite target catching seven passes for 94 yards. The Pioneers defense may have let up 37 points, but junior linebacker Billy O’Connor continued to punish offenses recording a team high 15 tackles, Lou Scala and TuQwan Ashley each recorded a sack and Aaron Hall forced a fumble.
The Post Pioneers return home next Saturday when they take on the Millersville Marauders at Hickox Field. Coverage on 88.1 FM and wcwpsports.com begins at 12:30pm with kickoff at 1pm.
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