Box Score

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Sept. 26) – After suffering their first loss of the season last Saturday at Thomas More, the Waynesburg football team got back on the winning track with a 33-12 victory over Saint Vincent under rainy skies at John F. Wiley Stadium.

The win moves the Yellow Jackets' overall record to 3-1, while the Bearcats fell 0-4.

The biggest performer on the day was the Waynesburg defense, which put together its best performance of the season by holding Saint Vincent to just 198 total yards. The Jacket offense, on the other hand, had one of its most balanced performances of the season.

The always potent passing game, which went for 242 yards and two touchdowns, was complemented by 201 yards rushing.

Despite how things ended, the contest didn't start well for the home team as Saint Vincent was able to take the opening kickoff and march 65 yards in nine plays to take an early 6-0 lead. Bearcat sophomore quarterback Kevin Corona found fellow sophomore Jeremy Drischler in the Waynesburg end zone with 12:21 showing on the clock to cap the drive and give the visitors a 6-0 lead after a missed PAT.

However, Waynesburg rebounded in a big way from the opening touchdown by rolling up 31 unanswered points during the first through third quarters and it didn't take them long to get started.

On the Jackets' first drive of the contest, running back Billy Becker pounded in a nine-yard scoring effort to cap a six-play 70-yard drive. The scoring play was set up by a 35-yard pass from junior quarterback Brad Dawson to junior receiver Brent Heckel.

Freshman kicker Jon Storck tacked on the extra point to put his team ahead 7-6 early in the game.

A short time later, Waynesburg struck again, this time with Dawson hooking up with senior wide receiver Josh Fisher, who continues to have a stellar final season with the team. The scoring grab was Fisher's sixth of the year. Another Storck PAT put the Jackets ahead 14-6, which was the score after the first quarter came to a close.

Three seconds into the second period, Storck made some personal history as he drilled his first collegiate field goal from 40 yards out to extend the lead to 17-6. Dawson put the game even further out of reach with 8:39 to go until halftime as the junior scampered into the end zone from three yards out, giving Waynesburg a 24-6 advantage. The run capped an eight-play 73-yard drive for the Jackets.

Still up 18 points at halftime, Waynesburg went back to work after returning from their locker room to get things started in the third quarter. It didn't take the home team long to put the final nail in the coffin.

On the second play of their first drive of the third quarter, Dawson hooked up with Fisher on a 60-yard completion that put the ball at the Saint Vincent four-yard line. Becker ended the drive one play-later by plowing through the Saint Vincent defense to put his team ahead. 30-6. Another Storck PAT made it 31-6.

Becker's short run was the final scoring play of the third quarter for either team. Saint Vincent was able to cut the lead to 31-12 early in the fourth, but Waynesburg recorded the final points of the afternoon as sophomore linebacker Scott Bogdan sacked Corona in the end zone for a safety with 5:06 to go in the game.

While Waynesburg showed tremendous balance in its offensive attack, Dawson shined brightest once again. The Pittsburgh native completed 13 of 23 passes for 242 yards for a touchdown and an interception. He also ran in his second rushing score of the year.

With the effort, Dawson jumped up two spots in the all-time career passing yardage list at Waynesburg. With 2,834 yards through the air since joining the Jackets, he now holds sole possession of sixth place on the list. He also went over 1,000 yards passing for the season (1,095).

Speaking milestones, Josh Fisher crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career at Waynesburg by pulling in two balls for 76 yards. Heckel led Waynesburg with three grabs.

Becker led a very balanced ground assault with 74 yards and two scores on 12 carries. First-year back Jamelle Bowers added 69 yards on just eight carries.

Corona ended his day with 92 yards passing and two touchdowns on 12-of-38 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore Jairus Marlow led the Saint Vincent running game with 62 yards on 13 carries.

On the same day that they were featured on the cover of the Waynesburg game day program, brothers Scott Cree and Troy Cree were two of the top defensive performers for the Jackets.

Scott intercepted his second pass of the season and broke up two more passes while adding three solo tackles to a productive day. Younger brother Troy led the Jackets with a game-high eight tackles, five of which were solo stops. He added a tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

Senior safety Dylan August also compiled eight total tackles and picked off his first pass of the season.

The win takes Waynesburg into their bye week on a high note. The Yellow Jackets will also get some extra time to prepare for a road contest at Westminster on Oct. 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.