Wrightstown runs over Denmark
Things are still running smoothly in Wrightstown.
The Tigers put together an impressive showing on the ground in picking up a 41-7 victory over Denmark on Friday in a North Eastern Conference game.
Wrightstown moved the football down the field to the tune of 486 yards and six touchdowns on 54 carries in its home-opener to improve to 2-0.
“Our offensive line really took control of the game early on,” Wrightstown coach Steve Klister said. “(Line coach) Boyd Zastrow really did a super job of preparing the guys this week and getting the offensive and defensive lines ready. We weren’t really expecting what they did with their defensive lines, but we talked to our guys and made sure we’re taking our correct reads and steps.”
The Tigers appear to be on the correct path to securing a WIAA playoff spot for a 23rd straight year if they can continue to perform like they did Friday.
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Junior Andrew Pelishek rushed for 77 yards and three touchdowns, including one from a yard out eight plays into the second half to build the lead to 35-7.
Senior Braydon Smith accounted for a game-high 128 yards rushing, getting most of it on a 77-yard TD scamper with 4 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the first half.
Senior Jacob Klister added 55 rushing yards with a first-half TD, while junior Will Braeger ripped off an 83-yard run for a TD in the fourth quarter when the Tigers had rotated in several of their backups.
“Everyone can step up,” Pelishek said.
Overall, Wrightstown had 12 different ball carriers in the contest.
“Scout team did a great job this week preparing the defense of what they were going to see in practice,” Steve Klister said. “And they got rewarded by getting some playing time tonight.”
Denmark moved into Tigers’ territory on the first possession of the game, but the drive came to an end when sophomore Jeremy Van Zeeland was able to scoop up an interception off a deflection.
After Wrightstown took a 13-0 lead with a 4-yard TD run by Jacob Klister in the opening minute of the second quarter, Denmark (0-2) answered with a 72-yard TD run by junior Brandon Wavrunek.
However, the Tigers were unquestionably the stronger team on this night, outgaining the Vikings 566-232 in yards from scrimmage.
Wrightstown didn’t commit a turnover and was the model of consistency in moving the chains on 7-of-9 attempts on third down. Senior quarterback James Hansen was even more efficient in completing 7-of-8 passes for 80 yards.
The biggest key to the impressive win, though, was the Tigers’ ability to get off the field. They rotated in several players throughout and had few that had to go both ways for long periods of time.
“It’s helped a lot,” Smith said. “A lot of guys have been fresh. It’s helping everybody else get better and it’s just really nice to have.”
Wrightstown will have a big test next week to test its depth when it hosts Seymour (2-0) in a nonconference game.
Denmark 0 7 0 0 – 7
Wrightstown 7 21 7 6 – 41
First quarter
W – Andrew Pelishek 3 run (Jacob Peters kick)
Second quarter
W – Jacob Klister 3 run (Kick failed)
D – Brandon Wavrunek 72 run (Wyatt Gezella kick)
W – Pelishek 13 run (Jacob Klister run converts)
W – Braydon Smith 77 run (Peters kick)
Third quarter
W – Pelishek 1 run (Peters kick)
Fourth quarter
W – Will Braeger 83 run (Kick failed)
Individual statistics
Rushing – D: Brandon Wavrunek 8-91, Brady Krueger 11-44, Jack Satori 9-28, Brady Jens 4-17, Jerick Czarneski 2-0, Brody Sipiorski 1- -5; W: Braydon Smith 9-128, Will Braeger 2-83, Andrew Pelishek 14-77, Jacob Klister 9-55, Jeremy Van Zeeland 6-37, Luke Renard 1-29, James Hansen 2-23, Austin Lazor 3-20, Walker Vander Hey 3-14, Blake Novitski 2-8, Preston Kussow 2-6, Douglas Klister 1-0.
Passing – D: Jack Satori 4-7-1-57; W: James Hansen 7-8-0-80.
Receiving – D: Wyatt Gezella 1-58, Brady Jens 2-2, Lucas Frutig 1- -3.W: Braydon Smith 1-35, Jeremy Van Zeeland 1-30, Jacob Klister 1-9, Logan Cieslewicz 1-6.
Good writing – active and punctual.