Gavin Vondercrone
Sports Editor
Warriors football put on an offensive showcase this past Saturday, winning 45-31 in their homecoming game against West Chester.
In a game full of excellent offensive performances, the Warriors managed to survive against the Golden Rams in this PSAC matchup. Both teams combined for an impressive 860 yards offensively.
“They’re playing at a high level. The guys are really giving it up for each other,” said Warriors head coach Jimmy Terwilliger. “Our quarterback is making great reads and our running backs are finishing tough.”
With the win, the Warriors now post a record of 6-1, good enough for second in the PSAC East.
Despite the end result, the Warriors got out to a slow start in this one.
On their opening drive, the Warriors made a crucial mistake in the red zone. An interception by West Chester defensive back Abdul Stewart ended a promising drive and set the Golden Rams up to make a field goal and take an early 3-0 lead.
The Warriors offense redeemed themselves quickly. A 48-yard touchdown run from graduate running back Tyriq Lewis gave them the lead with 5:02 left in the first.
The second quarter saw an offensive explosion from both teams. The two squads combined for five touchdowns in the second quarter alone.
The Warriors kicked off the second with a tush-push touchdown by junior quarterback Sean McTaggart. West Chester quickly responded with a deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Rahiem Bowens to make the score 14-10 with 10:56 left in the quarter.
A long touchdown run from junior running back Tahir Mills helped the Warriors extend their lead back to 11. West Chester responded with their own six-minute, 13-play touchdown drive to bring the score to 21-17 with 37 seconds left in the half.
The Warriors proceeded to execute a near perfect touchdown drive in just 27 seconds, going 68 yards in just four plays, with the final being a 21-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver John Siggins. This pushed the score to 28-17 going into halftime.
West Chester came out of the gates swinging to open up the third quarter. A seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive cut the Warrior lead down to four with 11:20 left in the third.
The Warriors quickly responded with a long field goal from sophomore kicker Ty Quintois.
Both offenses then remained quiet until late in the third, when West Chester broke the silence with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Dayshawn Jacobs, tying the game up at 31.
Cooper Jordan was a thorn in the side of the Warriors defense through the first three quarters. The junior quarterback threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another 95 yards and even hauled in a 22-yard catch.
“He’s been fantastic,” said West Chester head coach Duke Greco. “We’re lucky to have him. He’s awesome.”
The fourth quarter saw dominance by the Warriors on both sides of the ball.
Lewis gave the Warriors back the lead with a pair of great runs, with the latter being for a touchdown.
The Warriors defense finally got the big stop they were looking for, when junior defensive back Malachi Bowman intercepted a deep pass by Jordan to give the Warriors back the football.
Their offense capitalized off the opportunity, as another touchdown run from Mills made the score 45-31, a score that would hold until the end of the game.
The game also saw Tyriq Lewis surpass 2,000 career rushing yards, becoming just the ninth Warrior in program history to do so.
“It is a great honor to reach this milestone in my career. With all the rich history here at ESU football it feels unreal to be up there with some of the best that came before me,” said Lewis. “I wouldn’t be in this position without my family, coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, equipment staff, and more supporting me in every way on the day to day. I’m just grateful I can hold this honor, and hope that all of those people know they had a role.”
Lewis and the Warriors look to continue their hunt for the playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 12:05 p.m. in a home game against Lock Haven.