In Battle of Unbeatens, Walkersville Controls Oakdale 14-7
by Alec Parker photos by Michael Tauriello for Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride
7-0, and still going strong are the Walkersville Lions who defeated the Oakdale Bears last night 14-7; giving the Bears their first loss of the season.
The Lions and Bears met last season in which the Bears took the victory, but much like two weeks ago when Walkersville played Linganore, who also beat the Lions last year, WHS won this year. The defense was the best seen so far this season, creating six Bears turnovers.
In the first quarter the defense’s for both teams were doing great. Nobody scored in the entire first quarter. There was one turnover in which number six junior Tyler Gleason had an interception off batted ball from number 33 junior Christian Policelli. A great play that saved a touchdown scoring opportunity. The offense of the Lions could not score though as the Lions punted twice, and turned the ball over on downs.
In the second quarter it was a different story. The offense for both teams were pushing, however Walkersville had a tough time at the goal line all night. At the beginning of the second quarter the Lions fumbled the ball on the two yard line of Oakdale; but about a minute later the Lions forced a fumble, and recovered it on the Bears side of the field. Again though Walkersville’s offense could not generate points. Both defenses were playing tough all game long. Including Walkersville picking off Oakdale’s quarterback for the second time in the game. This time the Lions knew they needed to score, so they marched all the way down the field; where number five senior Chad Gleason scored the first touchdown of the night with 1:10 left in the first half. Walkersville’s defense did its job, and stopped Oakdale from scoring at the end of the half.
At the start of the third quarter Walkersville knew that they had to play tough defense, and put more points on the board. As the third quarter progress no team was really getting the push, until Oakdale had some big runs, and scored their first touchdown tying the game up at seven a piece.
As Walkersville got ready for their next drive, they knew that this game was going to come down to one play, that sets the table for the touchdown. That one play was made by number one Ty Littleton who had a monster run on a third down, that kept the drive alive. That one play would eventually lead to an another Walkersville touchdown by Chad Gleason, his second of the night with 3:58 left in the third. Oakdale did not score in next four minutes. In fact Walkersville picked off the Oakdale quarterback for the third time in the game. This time it was number 22 junior Jacob Wetzel.
Now it came to the fourth quarter, and this is where young teenagers are shaped into men. This is where all the pressure begins, and ends. The fourth quarter was a wild one. Walkersville played some of the best defense in the fourth quarter seen all year. They were looking like the steel curtain out there. Every time Oakdale started to march the ball Walkersville would come up with stop or force a turnover. The last moments were probably the best. Oakdale had 20 something seconds left to score a touchdown. Oakdale was within their own 20 yard line. On the first play the Oakdale rolled to his right, and threw the ball about 10 to 15 yards, where Chad Gleason deflected the ball, and almost had the interception. On the second play, it was another pass, the Oakdale quarterback dropped back, and then stepped up into the pocket, and threw, where number 87 senior Kyle Daggett had put his arms up, and batted the ball down, and almost came up with the interception. On the third the Lions tackled the quarterback for a two yard gain. With about one second on the clock Oakdale got the ball off for the last play of the game; in which all Oakdale receivers went deep. The ball went out of the Oakdale’s quarterback’s hand to Chad Gleason hands for a last interception. The Walkersville crowd erupted, with screams, and joy knowing that Walkersville stayed undefeated.
As the game came to close some fans, and players had shared their feelings about the game tonight. “Walkersville played their hearts out, and stepped up to the challenge, and got the W tonight.” said sophomore Carter High
“Walkersville kept running the ball with pure power, like a well oiled machine. I’m looking forward to next week, and another win by us.” said senior Garrett Allen
“I think we did amazing. The defense played spectacularly. We had five interceptions, and a forced fumble. That’s just off the charts. We’re too good.” said senior Colin Heller
“I think we played great. They had a lot of weapons and we played to the best of our ability to lock them up. We just made more big defensive plays than them. Chad and Ty ran really hard they had some great vision and made some really good cuts. The O-line did great. I’m looking forward to be 8-0!” said senior number 44 Jaxon Harris
“Our defense stepped up and made some clutch plays. We came out and pounded them and then we kept pounding. The fact that we kept pounding the rock consistently against a great 3A team. It shows how much talent our team really has. I’m expecting another dominating performance by our team next week #KeepPounding.” said senior number 54 Bryan Johnson
Next week will be a good game as Walkersville takes on the 0-7 Brunswick Railroaders at Brunswick High School at 7PM..
