Williamsport beats Hazleton in District 2-4 Class 6A semifinals | News, Sports, Vacancies

On August 30, Williamsport won the regular season contest 23–6, and about two months later the Millionaires did it again, securing a hard-fought 15–6 victory after struggling defensively throughout the game.

With the win, the Millionaires will advance to the District 2-4 Class 6A finals on Friday. Both teams fought well and neither team should let their heads down.

Williamsport held a slim 7-6 lead for most of the game. With 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Williamsport running back Jamel Bailey broke free for a 41-yard touchdown.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Reporter Quarterback Hazelton (1) is surrounded by Williamsport players Jayden Ransom (85) and Caleb Way (55) while passing under pressure in the first quarter.

Special teams went on the field for the extra point, the snap was muffed and kicker Parker Johnson was able to recover the ball and connect with Bailey for the two-point conversion, giving Williamsport a nine-point lead.

“It’s something you practice every day in special teams practice. “I didn’t see the shot but Parker took advantage of the opportunity and made the play, in playoff football sometimes things happen and you have to make the best of it.”Williamsport defensive coordinator Jesse Wolk said.

The game began with the Cougars kicking off their first drive of the game. It was a defensive battle from the start, with both teams going three-and-out on each of their first possessions.

“I think the guys up front fought hard, we’ve been practicing all week and the team relies on the defensive and offensive lines and they played hard today and helped us move the ball and burn up some playing time tonight.” – Walk said. “Playoff football grounds are hard to find and the boys played well as a team.”

The Cougar defense performed well in the first quarter, blocking Parker Johnson’s field goal attempt to make the game scoreless.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jamel Bailey (5) pushes away Hazelton’s Carlos Gonzalas (2) in the first quarter.

“I’m so proud of them. Our biggest weakness has been our defense and we really feel like we took a giant leap this year against some of the teams we played, especially the first time we played in Williamsport.” Haselton coach Dennis Buchman commented.

The offense was able to feed off the energy generated by the defense and was able to strike first when Hazelton running back Ashton Midget was able to sneak in and score. The extra point was blocked by the Millionaire defense, keeping the score 6-0.

In the second quarter, the Millionaires were able to answer when Bailey was able to score on a 32-yard touchdown, kicker Parker Johnson was able to send the ball over the top right for the extra point, making the score now 7-6.

For the rest of the game, it was the defense that shined for both teams, not allowing anyone to score for nearly two full quarters.

Williamsport 15, Hazleton 6

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jamel Bailey (5) runs the ball behind Caleb Way’s block in the second quarter.

Hazleton 6 0 0 0 — 6

Williamsport 0 7 0 8 — 15

First quarter

X – Ashton Midget, 1 run (hit failed).

Second quarter

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Reporter Quarterback Hazelton (1) passed Williamsport players Zion Hughes (1) and Lucas Naughton (19) for sacks in the first quarter.

W – Jamel Bailey, 32 runs (Johnson conversion)

Fourth quarter

W – Bailey, 41 runs (Bailey conversion)

TEAM STATISTICS

X W

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport Correspondent Cahier Whaley (23) dribbles against Hazelton in the first quarter.

First falls 11 10

Reeds 36-60 31-219

Passing yards 128 19

Comp.-Att.-Int. 12-21-0 4-14-0

Total yards 188,238

Fumbles-lose 0-0 0-0

Penalty yards 6–45 8–85

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Hazelton; Ashton Midget 18-38, Austin Wilson 9-37, Hunter Johnson 1-1, Freddie Corrado 8-(minus-16); Williamsport; Jamel Bailey 2 TD 14-164, Elijah Way 7-34, Kahir Whaley 8-15, Giovanni White 1-3

PASSING-Hazelton; Freddie Corrado 18-10-0 85, Austin Wilson 2-3-0 43: Williamsport; Elijah Way 14-4-0 19

RECEPTION-Hazelton; Johansel Moran 6-84, Jack Mariano 1-19, Ashton Midget 3-15, Carlos Gonzles 1-0: Williamsport; Kyrik Bradshaw 1-12, Zion Hughes 1-9, Cahier Whaley 2-(minus-2)

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport’s Jamel Bailey (5) pinned Hazelton’s Jeremy Ackjerman (74) in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hazelton quarterback Freddie Corrado is chased for sack by Williamsport players Jamel Bailey and Jayden Ransom in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport’s Jamel Bailey (5) jumps over a tackle attempt by Hazelton’s Carlos Gonzalez (2) in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jackson Thompson (65) and Caleb Way (55) celebrate Jamel Bailey’s touchdown in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Reporter Williamsport’s Chase Hill (7) tries to catch the ball between Hazelton’s Logan Gennaro (10) and Carlos Gonzalez (2) in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jamel Bailey (5) runs the ball against Hazelton in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jamel Bailey (5) holds Hazelton’s Logan Gennaro hard for extra yards in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport defenseman Elijah Way (15) passes the ball to the defense’s keeper in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hazelton defenseman Freddie Corrado is sacked by Williamsport player Lucas Naughton for a loss.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport reporter Jamel Bailey (5) beat Hazelton’s Ise Beato in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hazelton quarterback Freddie Corrado is chased for sack by Williamsport players Jamel Bailey and Jayden Ransom in the first quarter.