Williamsport Grinds Down Wildcats, 34-7

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — The Williamsport High School football team lost a lot of skill position talent off last year’s 12-2 team but they returned a veteran line and that group dominated both sides of the ball in the Millionaire’s season-opening 34-7 win over Central Mountain at Malinak Stadium Friday night.

Four-year starter and all-state performer Kurt Danneker (6-4, 330) and his fellow linemen opened holes all night for a handful of new Millionaire running backs as the visitors piled up 403 yards in total offense against a veteran Central Mountain defense.

The game was tight for a while as Central Mountain, down 14-0 midway through period number two, put together a 68-yard drive to close within 14-7. Quarterback Austyn Carson scored untouched when he reversed field for a 12-yard score and then kicked the extra point to get the Wildcats within seven. But Williamsport answered with a 64-yard drive, leading 21-7 at halftime. While Williamsport tacked on two more scores in the second half, the Wildcats had trouble establishing an offense, held to 90 yards overall, only 27 in the second half.

The Millionaire defense pressured Carson all night, holding him to a 3-for-11 passing performance for 22 yards and two interceptions. Seth Andrus was the Wildcats’ leading rusher with eight carries for 33 yards, Carson next with 30 yards on seven carries, followed by Rocco Stark with seven rushes for 20 yards.

Williamsport quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for four touchdowns on a 12-for-24 night for 176 yards. Junior tailback BlazeMcClements was the top Bill-town rusher with 85 yards on 12 carries.

Central Mountain will try to bounce back at home next Friday hosting Hughesville. The Green Dragons lost their opener to Lewisburg by a 19-15 score.

Other scores Friday night included Bucktail winning its first game in two years, a 12-0 road victory at St. Joseph’s Academy and Bellefonte coming from behind to down Jersey Shore 17-14. Bald Eagle Area opened with a 33-13 win over Troy.