GOSHEN — Wilmington rolled into Goshen Friday night and put together a strong showing offensively and defensively with a 41-0 victory at Jim Brown Stadium, spoiling the Warrior’s Homecoming festivities.
The victory evens the Hurricane record to 4-4. They are now 1-2 in the SBAAC American Division.
What pleased Hurricane head coach Ryan Evans the most was his team’s ability to rebound from a tough loss last week to Batavia with a near-flawless performance.
“I am so proud of these kids,” Evans said. “They were focused and we played well all four quarters. No penalties and just one turnover. That is what we are capable of doing. We are still in the hunt (for the post-season playoffs). We have to win out and we know that. This was a big step tonight.”
Wilmington executed a 10-play, 89-yard drive on its first possession, primarily keeping it on the ground. Josiah Puller had a 36-yard run from scrimmage to set the stage, and the drive ended with Puller taking it to the end zone from three yards away. Dylan Groves added the PAT at the 7:58 mark giving WHS a 7-0 lead.
Zane Smith came up with an interception at the Goshen 24 on the Warriors’ first time on offense. Hurricane signal-caller Jake Stephens hooked up with Elijah Stewart for the second WHS touchdown as Wilmington built a 14-0 first quarter lead.
The Hurricane extended the margin to 20-0 on a seven-play drive midway through the second quarter, as Stephens connected with Stewart who made an over-the-shoulder grab just inside the back line of the end zone with 2:12 to play until halftime.
But the Huricane was not done at that point, as Stewart stepped in front of a Goshen receiver and made it a 44-yard pick-6 on the next series with 1:19 to go until the half. Stewart then came up with a great play defensively, stopping Goshen ball-carrier Gage Croley at the WHS 30 just inside one minute to go till intermission as Wilmington took a 27-0 lead into the locker room.
“Elijah Stewart is a very vocal leader for this team and he was voted as our sixth captain for tonight’s game. He showed tonight why he earned that honor. He played a great game,” Evans said.
In the third quarter, Stewart helped set up the Hurricane’s next score, returning a Goshen punt to the Warrior 35. The drive ended with Stephens connecting with Payden Mawyer who made a diving catch in the left corner of the end zone. Groves’ PAT stretched the lead to 34-0 at the end of the third.
Mawyer then closed out the scoring with a 57 yard rushing touchdown down the left sideline on the opening play of the fourth, and Groves nailed the conversion making it 41-0.
The remainder of the contest was played with a running clock as the margin exceeded 35 points.
Wilmington returns to Alumni Field next Friday, hosting New Richmond, who lost to Batavia on Friday night.
SUMMARY
Oct 11, 2024
@Jim Brown Stadium, GHS
Hurricane 41, Warriors 0
