Team meeting after the game

Knee Injury KOs Starting QB

By Thomas O’Grady

WESTFALL — On Friday, September 4, the Delaware Valley Warriors’ varsity football team got their season started off on the right foot with a 25-14 win over the East Stroudsburg North Timberwolves.

The Warriors began their season on their own 35 yard line. Less than three minutes later, they had a 6-0 lead as Cory Wilson capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.  The point after attempt was good as Anthony Cavallaro split the uprights to give DV a 7-0 lead.

Despite the fact that the home crowd was making as much noise as an airport, the Timberwolves were not going to lie down without a fight. With 3:12 left in the first quarter ESN scored a touchdown and trimmed DV’s lead to 7-6.  Then there was the first taste of chaotic drama. ESN lined up for the ensuing point after attempt and as the play broke down, the Timberwolves turned disaster into opportunity, converting a two-point conversion and taking an 8-6 lead.

It was a lead that wouldn’t last very long. With 2:55 left in the first quarter, senior quarterback Edwin Balcarcel threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Sean Deming.  Following the touchdown, DV converted a two-point conversion on a run by Chris Cohen, giving DV a 15-8 lead. They never looked back.

In the second quarter, it was more of the same. The Warriors’ defense stifled the Timberwolves’ offense and forced a three and out. On the punt, Wilson broke loose and gave DV a first and ten at the ESN 37. The Warriors moved the ball effectively on the ground with Wilson and marched down for a first and goal on the one yard line. However, the offense stalled and on fourth and goal from the one the Timberwolves stopped the Warriors and took over on downs.

The Warriors defense came out and did their job forcing another three and out. Wilson fielded the punt and set the Warriors’ offense up with a first and ten from the ESN 20.  The Warriors’ offense again pushed their way down inside the ten-yard line for a first and goal but had a hard time handling the center to quarterback exchange, as well as some slippery hands by the running backs.  DV fumbled on second down but recovered.  After the play, a Timberwolf player was called for a late hit personal foul and moved the Warriors half the distance to the goal line.  On third down, the Warriors put the ball on the turf again, but quick reflexes saved the drive as DV recovered their own fumble.  On fourth down Cavallaro kicked a field goal and gave the Warriors an 18-8 lead with 2:11 left in the half.  The Warriors held the lead for the final two minutes.

Some big offensive plays and good field position weren’t the only things DV had going for them in the first half. There were also some outstanding tackles by Josh Reynolds and Wilson, and Adam Manzoni was in the Timberwolves’ backfield so often he should’ve had his mail forwarded there.

At half time Delaware Valley’s head coach Keith Olsommer felt the defense played very well after the first drive and really just wanted to limit the number of fumbles the offense had.  “All and all,” Olsommer said, “they are playing well on their first Friday night.”

Before the start of the second half the Dingmans Football League was honored.  This league is the early feeder team to the Delaware Valley School district football program.  The young children were allowed to line up and walk out on to the field as the home crowd gave an outstanding ovation to the future of Delaware Valley football.

For ESN, the third quarter began the way most of the first half played out …they tried but DV held and the Timberwolves went three and out. On the ensuing DV possession Balcarcel ran on fourth down and four and was tackled short of the first down. As the players made their way to the sideline, Balcarcel lay on the field near the DV sideline clutching his knee.  He was examined and helped off the field and spent the rest of the game on the sideline on crutches with ice.  Without an MRI coach Olsommer cannot estimate how long Balcarcel will be out, but believes it could be the whole season.

The third quarter was marred by mishandled footballs and injuries including Jack Rosenstein, who left the game with an undisclosed neck injury and did not return. However, the team believes Rosenstein will be back by next game.

As the fourth quarter started the Warriors were driving and faced a fourth down and one.  The offense went for it and converted the fourth down attempt. The Warriors offense again hit a snag on second down at the ESN 29. The snap was fumbled by back-up quarterback freshman, Bryan Schor.  The Warriors recovered the fumble and faced third down.  On third down they ran a well timed screen-pass and Schor dumped the ball off to Joe Lewis and scampered 29 yards for the touchdown. Cavallaro converted another extra point and DV was in complete control, up 25-8.

ESN tried to make the game interesting by scoring a late touchdown and cutting the lead to 25-14 with 3:13 left but on the ensuing onside kick attempt, DV recovered and began to eat up clock.  The Warriors punted with 2:05 left in the game and ESN again tried to mount a solid drive.  This one came to an end with Jorre Johnson intercepting a pass.  Delaware Valley took over and kneeled to end the game

As the game concluded, Coach Olsommer gave the game balls to Balcarcel and Wilson.  He emphasized the fact that it was great to see young players, especially Schor, step up and perform well but that they will have to execute better in order to reach their full potential.  He ended the team huddle with a reminder to his team, “What I’m about to say,” Olsommer said “only half the teams in the state can say…we’re 1-0!”

DV kicks off after their first score. (Photo by Thomas O'Grady)

Zach Earle coming up to take a hand off. (Photo by Thomas O'Grady)