Defense Scores Twice in 48-14 League-Opening Romp of Waldorf

Recent William Penn Statesmen Football action at the Lacey Complex Stadium (file photo)

Forest City–The William Penn football team had a little bit of everything going Saturday night as it scored multiple times on both ends in a 48-14 victory over Waldorf in Midwest League action.

The #7 Statesmen (4-0, 1-0 MWL) rushed for 459 yards (469 yards total), and while the defense permitted the Warriors (2-1, 0-1 MWL) to gain 343 yards, it also forced five turnovers and found the endzone twice.

It was a rough start for the visitors as Waldorf gained 80 yards on its opening drive. Fortunately, the navy and gold defense stiffened at the right time, coming up with a fumble recovery in its own endzone for a touchback.

Taylor Parsons (Jr., The Woodlands, Texas, Sociology) gobbled up 32 yards on his squad’s first play from scrimmage, but the offense stalled out.

After a quick three-and-out by the defense and a poor Warrior punt, the offense received terrific field position at the Waldorf 33-yard line. William Penn, helped by a 30-yard run by Dalton Phelps (Sr., Tipton, Iowa, Physical Education), got on the board first with a one-yard rush by Evan Ressler (So., Cascade, Iowa, Biology) at the 7:58 mark.

Linebacker Perry King (Jr., Valdosta, Ga., Physical Education) made his presence felt in a big way Saturday night, beginning with an interception on the following drive that was returned 32 yards to the Waldorf 26-yard line.

Joel Medina (Sr., Palmdale, Calif., Sociology) cashed in on the takeaway three plays down the road, rushing in from 13 yards out to make it 14-0 just 1:33 after the first score.

Both programs moved the pigskin successfully in their next few drives, but to no avail, until King once again stepped up with another huge defensive play. This time, the junior would not be denied points as he returned his second pick 39 yards for a TD.

The home team was unable to produce points the old-fashioned way, so they also went the unconventional route. On the ensuing kickoff, James Loydd went 79 yards to cut the deficit to 21-7.

Not to be outdone, Sam Tvedt (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) outdistanced himself from the defense on the next play from scrimmage, scampering 82 yards for the TD. The sophomore rushed for a team-high and personal career-high 133 yards on just seven tries.

The 27-7 halftime lead was extended by seven more points less than two minutes into the third when Shawn Davis (Jr., Hamersville, Ohio, Physical Education) scored on a 32-yard run.

Just a bit later, the Warriors would be miffed once again. After putting the Statesmen on their heels to their own three-yard line, quarterback Samuel Fisk fumbled the ball. Brock Peery (Jr., Payson, Utah, Secondary Education) starring in the role of Mr. Opportunistic, scooped it up and darted 96 yards the other way for the score. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the William Penn record books for longest fumble return for a touchdown, but it is believed Peery’s play is likely the all-time mark.

William Penn’s scoring concluded in the third quarter on another one-yard touchdown rush by Ressler. The sophomore recorded 57 yards, while Parsons and Davis added 77 apiece and Phelps finished with 60 yards.

Parsons only needed to throw the ball four times, completing one pass for ten yards.

In addition to his fumble recovery touchdown, Peery led the defense with a career-high 16 tackles. Five different players recorded a sack, while Michael Wright (Sr., Olive Branch, Miss., Physical Education) also intercepted a Fisk pass.

“I thought this was the best game we have played to date,” Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “We came out with loads of intensity. Our defense obviously gave up a lot more yard than we would have liked, but they stepped up when we needed them and came up with big turnovers.”

“Our offense really clicked tonight and I felt like we improved a great deal this week,” Hafner added. “We are a little banged up, so the bye week will do us a lot of good. We look forward to having a week off and then hosting Olivet Nazarene for Homecoming.”

The victory kept William Penn perfect against Waldorf at 6-0 all-time.

Next: William Penn is off one week before returning home on September 29 to host MWL foe Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m.