Lions Win Regional Championship — On to States!
by Alec Parker from Walkersville High School Lions Pride
The biggest win in Walkersville in over 20 years happened last night when the Lions marched into South Carroll High School, and beat the Cavaliers 17-14, winning their first Regional Championship game in 23 years.
The first quarter started off very slowly, and both defenses were holding their ground to keep the score 0-0. But when the second quarter started the Lions jump out the gate and #5 Junior RB Chad Gleason scored the first touchdown, giving the Lions the lead. The Lions defense continue to hold the Cavaliers from advancing. At the half the score was 7-0.
At the start of the third quarter the momentum was still in Walkersville’s favor, and it grew even more when Sophomore #35 Kicker Noah Sadler made a 30 plus yard field goal to make the score 10-0 Walkersville lead., The Cavaliers eventually scored a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, but then later in the fourth quarter Sophomore #15 QB Billy Gant threw a touchdown pass to fellow Sophomore #22 WR Jacob Wetzel.
Then the Cavaliers scored again, and made the score 17-14 . They eventually stopped Walkersville, and forced a punt, and advanced up field quickly, but the Walkersville defense held them to a short field goal try, but the kick by South Carroll was wide left, and missed, which keep the score 17-14.
With 1 minute and 38 seconds left on the clock the Lions were forced to punt again, but this time, the Walkersville defense made a huge interception on the first pass, to seal the game, and give Walkersville a shot at the State Semifinal game.
Sophomore #22 Jacob Wetzel said “This game was the biggest opportunity to show how good we are, and now since we won this game, we wait to see we have to face next, and practice even harder, and faster.”
Sophomore #15 Quarterback Billy Gant said “ Our offense played great, but our defense played amazing; they gave the offense more opportunities to score, and held off a very good South Carroll offense, but now we have to prepared physically, and mentally for the next game.”
Junior #5 Chad Gleason said “ We played with toughness, and integrity the entire game; we keep pushing the ball on offense, and were making key stops on defense, and #4 Zac Saylor, might the MVP with that interception.”
Next week the Lions will go for the State Semifinal Game to see makes it to the State Championship. If Walkersville wins it would be the first state Championship Game since 1987.
