Undefeated Season Continues for Wilmington Pop Warner

WOBURN— The Wilmington Wildcats Pop Warner C team moved to 4-0 on the season this past Sunday with a 24-6 victory over Woburn. The Wildcats were led by running back John Kenney who ran for 266 yards and four touchdowns on the day, including touchdown runs of 40, 45 and 51 yards. Kenney is back on track for a 1,000 yard rushing season with 538 yards rushing through four games.

The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to receive. After penalties on the first two plays of the game, quarterback Andrew Sullivan led the team on a 10 play drive that ate up over eight minutes of the first quarter. The drive culminated with an 11 yard touchdown run by Kenney behind strong blocks from full back Kyle Penney (six carries, 40 yards rushing), Justin Fraser and Ryan Brewer.  The PAT was no good so the Wildcats took a 6-0 lead.

The Wildcats defense took the field and they were stunned by Woburn as the Woburn offense broke for a 70 yard touchdown run right through the middle of the Wildcats defense on the second play of the game. This was the first touchdown given up by the Wilmington defense all season and the score was tied 6-6.

As the momentum started to shift late in the first quarter, the Wilmington special teams unit came through with the play of the game. Woburn lined up to kick the extra point and on the snap, nose tackle Peter Marino (four tackles, one tackle-for-loss) broke through the line and blocked the PAT try. This kept the score at six apiece and seemed to deflate the Woburn offense just a bit while serving to restore Wilmington’s defensive “mojo.”

The Wildcat offense came back on the field and after two runs for 31 yards Wilmington fumbled giving the ball back to Woburn. This time however, the defense would not be scored on. Linebackers Blake Hiltz (team leading eight tackles, one tackle-for-loss), Braden Hiltz (five tackles) and Joey Dumoulin (five tackles, one tackle-for-loss) led the team in tackles while Marino and defensive end Frankie Irizarry (four tackles, one tackle-for-loss) were solid up the middle and on the outside for the Wilmington defense.

The Wildcat offense returned to the field for their third possession and had a quick three play, 46 yard drive that culminated with another Kenney touchdown. The offensive line, led by Kyle Kenyon, Blake Hiltz, Mark Companeschi, Pat McAndrew, Tommy Strow, Andrew Brandenburg (tight end), Colin Rooney and Kyle Bolis, were solid all day blocking for Kenney and Penney to the tune of 306 yards rushing on the day.  The Wildcats took a 12-6 lead into halftime.

Wilmington’s defense stopped Woburn on the opening drive of the second half.  Defensive End Andrew Brandenburg and defensive backs Michael Ducharme, Mikey Daley and Timmy Rivers defended against perimeter runs and passes and combined for five tackles on the day. The interior of the defense led by Marino, Kenyon, Brett Chisholm, Nolan Fitzgerald and Michael Smolinsky bottled up the inside running attack for Woburn.

The Wildcat offense put the game out of reach early in the third quarter with two touchdowns in four plays.  The first came on a three play, 67 yard drive that culminated with Kenney’s third touchdown of the day on a 45 yard run.  On their next possession, Kenney put the final punctuation mark on a magnificent performance with a 51 yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive. That score put Wilmington ahead 24-6 and that would be the final score of the game.

Wilmington returns to action this week for Pop Warner Homecoming at the Glen Road Field. The Wildcats will be in action at 11 a.m. against Melrose.