Parsons Accounts for Four TDs as WPU Rallies in Fourth Quarter
Recent William Penn Statesmen Football action at the Lacey Complex Stadium
Deerfield, Ill.–The William Penn football team started slowly, but closed out strong to pick up a much-have 36-25 victory over Trinity International (Ill.) in Midwest League Saturday.
The #11 Statesmen (8-1, 4-0 MWL) avoided their first two-game losing streak since 2009 with a balanced attack that netted 420 yards. The defense permitted 386 yards to the Trojans (3-6, 0-5 MWL), but also came up with four turnovers (all interceptions) in the win.
Andrew Reed (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Physical Education) claimed the first pick of TIU quarterback Steve Anderson in the opening drive. Eight plays and 45 yards later, William Penn took a 7-0 lead on a four-yard scoring run by Taylor Parsons (Jr., The Woodlands, Texas, Sociology).
William Penn’s only turnover came at the start of the second stanza, and unfortunately the Trojans took advantage, driving 35 yards to pull within one (extra point attempt failed).
Greg Beatty (So., Brooklyn, Iowa, Industrial Technology) returned the favor later in the quarter with the first of two interceptions. Marcus Kerrigan (Jr., Cary, Ill., Sociology) made it 10-6 entering intermission with a 35-yard field goal.
Shawn Davis (Jr., Hamersville, Ohio, Physical Education) started his team on the right foot in the third with a 73-yard rush down to the TIU one-yard line on the first play from scrimmage. He was then handed the ball on the next play and extended the margin to 11 at 17-6 just 33 seconds into the second half. The junior led the navy and gold with 111 rushing yards.
That proved to be the only bright spot in the third, however, with the Trojans responding with their own score. The hosts then pulled off a little trickery on the ensuing kickoff by successfully recovering an on-side kick. TIU gained its first and only lead at 18-17 (all three PATs/two-point conversions failed) nearly four minutes later.
William Penn did not face the deficit long, coming up with the longest drive (in both yards and time) of the day. The 16-play, 85-yard possession (7:55 time of possession) was capped with another Parsons rushing score, this time from six yards out. His two-point pass conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the visitors ahead 23-18 early in the final quarter.
The defense stopped TIU when it was needed most and the offense pushed it to a two-possession game when Parsons hooked up with Aaron Broyles (Jr., Escondido, Calif., Physical Education) for a 70-yard passing TD. It was the longest pass play of the year. Parsons rushed for 103 yards and also completed four-of-nine passes for 121 yards.
TIU refused to go quietly with one more score, but failed to recover its second on-side attempt. Parsons put a bow on the victory with one more scoring run–a 36-yard scamper.
Beatty, who recorded eight tackles, closed out the afternoon with one more interception.
TIU’s on-side recovery slightly took away from a dominant second half by the Statesmen offense as they scored on their final five possessions (four TDs in second half, one FG in first half). Both teams were perfect in the red zone (WPU was 4-for-4; TIU was 3-for-3).
Michael Wright (Sr., Olive Branch, Miss., Physical Education) also picked off an Anderson throw in the first quarter. Jacob Batterson (Jr., Eddyville, Iowa, Industrial Technology) paced all defenders with ten tackles, while Nick DiMarco (So., St. Charles, Mo., Physical Education) recorded the lone quarterback sack.
“We overcame a lot to win this game,” Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “We have guys that are playing through injury, pain, sickness, and other obstacles. It really pleased our staff to see our players rally around each other for the win.”
“We will have guys in the training room this week, but we have all the confidence in the world that our trainers will get us healthy and ready to go,” Hafner added. “We are getting everyone’s best shot right now, but as competitors we would not want it any other way.”
Next: William Penn returns home next Saturday to host #12 St. Ambrose in MWL play at 1 p.m.
