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Millionaires’ offense struggles in loss

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport's Blaze McClements (26) breaks a tackle from Wallenpaupack's Chance Smith (71) and tries to get around Tommy HIller in the first half.

The Millionaires lined up on first down at the eight yard line needing to score and get the ball back to have a chance down by nine points. But, just as the night unfolded, Williamsport fumbled the hand off and Wallenpaupack recovered and ultimately ran out the final five minutes to seal a 36-17 win and spoil Senior Night at STA Stadium on Friday.

“We turned the ball over, defensively we didn’t get the stops to get off the field,” Williamsport coach Chuck Crews said. “Had we played the first half like we did the second half … maybe it would have been a different outcome. We were able to move the ball sporadically and were able to wear down the defense towards the end.”

With Williamsport’s leaders Treyson Potts and Joe Fagnano, along with other skill position players, out with injuries and a freshman quarterback in Dallas Greiss (5 for 10 74, TD, two INT) getting his first career start, the Millionaires knew it had a tough task ahead of it in Wallenpaupack’s bigger size, but it kept plugging away after a slow first quarter start.

“Our guys kept flying around and (Wallenpaupack) had to keep swatting around at the gnats, that’s what we will continue to do for the rest of the season.” Cres said of his team’s mentality for Wyoming Valley West next week and the postseason.

“It’s nice that we can study what Fagnano and Potts have done in their careers, they are a good example on how to play the game,” Greiss said. “I didn’t know what to expect tonight, especially not knowing how to run the offense like Joe (Fagnano) had, it was overwhelming at first but I definitely grew up a lot during the game.”

Greiss showed a flash of his inexperience as he threw two interceptions on his first two drives of the game which Wallenpaupack converted into a touchdown.

“When I came out I was a little rusty, but I was able to settle in and find ways to help as much as I could down the stretch.” Greiss said. “If I had more experience I should have known to throw the ball out of bounds or tuck and run the ball. Those plays are something I can grow on and learn from in my career.”

Greiss did show a flash of his potential as well when he hit Colin Esposito in the middle of the field at the goal line for a 16 yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Then again at the end of the third quarter Greiss used his speed to beat a Wallenpaupack corner to the near side pylon for his first rushing touchdown.

“I tried keeping him as calm as possible, I wanted him to go out and play football so I didn’t try to say much to him on the sideline other than to say ‘hey you’re doing a great job.'” Crews said of his freshman quarterback.

Wallenpaupack (6-3) used its size to bully around a smaller-sized Williamsport team and game planned to run the ball until Williamsport showed it could stop the run. The Buckhorns ended up rushing on 40 of its 42 offensive snaps tallying up 296 yards and all six touchdowns.

“They mauled us on the line and that was the difference.” Crews said.

Senior running back Blaze McCormick and the Williamsport running backs helped ease the pressure off of Greiss. McCormick wanted to lay everything out on the field the last time he and the rest of the seniors will play in STA Stadium.

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