Wizards Squeak by VC 34-33

The Washingtonville varsity football team defeated Valley Central last Friday in a suspenseful overtime victory. This game pulls the Wizards to third in their Section 9 AA division II bringing them one step closer to the playoffs. This also, gives the team a 2-1 record in their division.

The Wizards started the game strong. Less then two minutes in, senior quarterback, John DeCourcey gave the Wizards a 6-0 lead after scoring on 52 yard quarterback keeper. The Vikings tried to bring the ball back up the field but the Wizards recovered a fumble at their own 7 yard line. After battling back and forth by both sides the Vikings finally managed to take a 7-6 lead with less then four minutes left in the first quarter. Wizard attempts to score continued to fail. The Vikings brought the ball down the field and scored bringing the game to 13-6 after a failed two point conversion. Washingtonville fought back, and after a big 32 yard reception by wide out Kyle Oliver they were in Viking territory.

Less than two minutes left in the half the Wizards tied up the game with a 16 yard touchdown reception by wide out, Dereck Pignatelli. Big Blue’s Defense played hard as Valley Central tried to move the ball down field. Middle linebacker, Eric Kowalski and defensive end, Brian Salka continued to run the defense. Kowalski eventually forced a fumble and stopped the Vikings from scoring before the half.

When the second half of the game went on its way, the Vikings drove down the field. They scored a touchdown with a 33 yard pass giving them 19-13 lead. The Wizards attempted to drive down the field but an interception in Viking territory stopped their efforts. Less then a minute after intercepting the ball Valley Central scored and gained a 27-13 lead with a two point conversion. Following VC’s touchdown, the Wizards successfully brought the ball back into Viking territory. The offense continued to block giving quarterback John DeCourcey time to throw a 10 yard touchdown pass to senior Kyle Oliver bringing the score to 27-20. With less than two minutes to go in the third the Wizard’s defense gained the ball giving the offense the chance to tie the game.

Starting the fourth quarter, Bobby Tansey and John DeCourcey continued embarrassing Valley Central’s defense while driving the ball into the red zone. On a fourth down attempt, the Wizards failed score. When the Vikings tried to bring the ball up the field, the Wizard’s defense held them back. Dereck Pignatelli, went on to block a punt in the end zone allowing sophomore, Jacob Sheafe to pick it up for a touchdown. The game was tied 27-27 with less than eight minutes left. Defensive players Brian Salka, Eric Kowalski, Chris Fernandez and Brian Hlavac helped to keep Valley Central from winning the game. With thirteen second left in regulation a 37 yard field goal attempt by John DeCourcey failed to put away the Vikings. As the clock ran out the Wizards knew they would have to get the job down in overtime.

In a college fashion overtime the Wizards won the toss and chose for the Viking to start first. Valley Central first play from scrimmage was a touchdown pass to a wide open player in the back of the end zone. Due to the absence of their kicker VC failed to score a two point conversion. The Wizards walked on the field with no doubt in their mind they would win the game. After, a penalty due to a false start the next play, John DeCourcey dropped back and threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Kyle Oliver. John’s kick was good and the Wizards won the game!

This was a huge win for the Wizards in playoff-like atmosphere. When head coach, Tim Johnson was asked how he felt about the game, he responded “Great game! It just shows how much heart these boys have and that’s our second step to the playoffs.” By Jackie Fowler and John Decourcey