Behind a solid rushing attack and an explosive passing play, Coughlin cruised to a 38-8 win over Williamsport on Friday night in Williamsport.
Running the football has been the bread and butter of the Crusaders offense all season long and that didn't change against the Millionaires. Zach Evans rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries while Paul Cole added another score and 23 yards on seven carries.
"It's our bread and butter," said Coughlin head coach Ciro Cinti.
Along with the devastating rushing attack, Coughlin scored through the air. With under a minute to play in the second quarter, Tim Pilch found running back Hunter Bednarczyk streaking up the middle of the field for a 44-yard touchdown, extending the Crusaders' lead.
"I'm glad Pilch got a touchdown pass today," Cinti said. "He's a hard worker and a good kid. He threw the ball nice down the field and that's what we need - to have the confidence to throw down the field."
Coughlin started the game off on a high note, when Bednarczyk placed the kickoff between several Millionaire return men, allowing the Crusaders to pick up the live ball on the opening play of the game.
The kick, which set up a Cole 1-yard touchdown run four plays later, gave the Crusaders excellent field position on the Williamsport 25-yard line.
"He's a great kid, he doesn't come off the field," Cinti said of Bednarczyk, who plays offense while serving as the team's punter and kicker. "He has been a three-year kicker for us and I think the world of him. He makes our special teams a lot better."
The highlight of the game for Williamsport came with the final seconds of the second quarter winding down. After a Coughlin score, Devin Miller sat back to receive the kickoff.
The ball skipped short of Miller, who misplayed the bounce, allowing the ball to roll to the 5-yard line. Miller quickly retreated, picked the ball up and made his way to Coughlin's 3-yard line, dodging Crusader defenders along the way.
"Devin comes every day and gives his best and does the best he can," said Williamsport head coach Kevin Choate. "He's a great senior leader, I'm really proud of him."
The 92-yard kickoff return set up a Sadiq Burkholder 8-yard touchdown run for Williamsport's only score. Burkholder, who started in place of last week's quarterback Owen Lukens, made several dynamic plays with his legs.
"We were just trying some different offensive plays to get the offense sparked," Choate said. "He is a fantastic athlete."
Despite big plays from both Burkholder and Miller, the Coughlin defense created four Williamsport turnovers by constantly pressuring the quarterback and getting into the backfield early in the play.
"It's about time," Cinti said of the turnovers. "That's what we have been waiting on all year."
Along with Evans and Cole providing a steady run game, Pilch made a habit of escaping the pocket and moving the ball down field with his legs.
"He is too good of a runner," Cinti said. "He is our third leading rusher and a great athlete and we have to make more opportunities for him."
