Football - Kiski Area vs Woodland Hills

October 04, 2019

Woodland Hills Breaks Season Drought with 28-2 Win at Kiski Area

A winless Woodland Hills team is a dangerous Woodland Hills team. Just ask the Kiski Area Cavaliers.

After opening the season in an 0-6 slump, the Wolverines got one in the win column with a 28-2 non-conference romp over the Cavaliers at Kiski Area's Richard J Dilts Field on Friday, October 4.

After Woodland Hills won the coin toss and deferred, Kiski Area took the opening kickoff and set up their opening drive, only to turn it over deep in their own territory on a fumble less than 30 seconds into the game.

Woodland Hills capitalized on the Cavaliers' mistake, with quarterback Deontae Williams running around right end on their second play from scrimmage for a 25-yard touchdown run at 11:37 of the opening quarter. William Clark carried into the end zone for the two-point conversion, and the Wolverines looked like they were ready to build on their quick 8-0 lead.

Woodland Hills attempted to surprise the Cavaliers with an onside kick, but the Cavs recovered the ball around midfield. The good starting field position wasn't much of an advantage for Kiski Area as their offense continued to sputter throughout the first half. After the quick strike to open the game, Woodland Hills moved the ball well at times but failed to put any more points on the board the rest of the first half, as a fumble in the red zone and several inopportune penalties plagued their efforts to get into the end zone. The Cavaliers defense stood tall as they thwarted a Wolverines drive deep into Kiski Area territory on a 4th-and-goal stop with 1:23 to play in the first half. The first half ended with the Woodland Hills lead at 8-0.

Kiski Area tried an onside kick of their own to open the second half, but it was the Wolverines who benefited with the ball and good field position to start their drive. They didn't need much time to hit the jackpot, as Gavin Yarbough took a Deontae Williams 45-yard pass for a touchdown with 11:17 remaining in the quarter. Taelen Brooks carried for the two-point conversion, putting the Wolverines up 16-0.

Failing to make any progress on their next possession, Kiski Area punted to pin the Wolverines deep in their own territory. A stout Cavaliers defense and Wolverines' penalties that moved the ball even closer to their own goal line forced a safety, as Williams was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone as he scrambled left for running room at the 8:07 mark of the third quarter.

The safety seemed to spark Kiski Area's offense to life, as a strong running game gobbled up yards and first downs, moving the Cavs into the red zone. But the ball was turned over on downs as the Cavaliers were stopped at the one yard line, giving the ball to the Wolverines with 41 seconds left in the third quarter.

It was plenty of time for Woodland Hills to put another touchdown on the board, with William Clark needing only 15 seconds to go 99 yards for the score. The PAT kick failed and the score remained 22-2 heading into the final quarter.

Woodland Hills sealed the Cavaliers fate with a 72-yard touchdown run by Taelen Brooks with 6:40 left to play. The PAT kick failed as the snap was offline and the Wolverines lead was 28-2.

Kiski Area got within spitting distance of the goal line again late in the game, setting up following a Thomas Burke to Kyrell Hutcherson 16-yard pass completion with 3:42 to play. But the effort stalled as the Wolverines' defense held on 4th-and-1 from the 4 yard line, and Woodland Hills took over, running out the clock for their first victory of the season.

Woodland Hills improves to 1-6 overall on the season, as Kiski Area falls to a 3-4 overall record. Both teams play non-conference games again next week, with Kiski Area hosting McKeesport and Woodland Hills at home to Class 6A Seneca Valley.

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.

Keywords: boys, football, high school, kiski area, westmoreland county, woodland hills