Wilmington Pop Warner C Team Tops Arlington, 26-0

WILMINGTON, MA – The Wilmington Wildcats C team moved to 2-0 on the season by defeating Arlington 26-0. The Wildcat defense recorded its second shutout of the season and was dominant from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.  The defense was led by Pete Marino who had a monster game.

Marino had three tackles, a sack and an interception return for a touchdown in the second half that seemed to extinguish any chance of an Arlington comeback. The Wilmington defense recorded two sacks, one interception, 13 tackles-for-loss and held Arlington to no first downs for the entire game.  

The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to receive. For the second time in two games, the offense had a quick, four-play drive that culminated in a long touchdown run. 

Running back John Kenney carried three times on the drive that was capped off with a 32 yard touchdown run. Kenney finished the game with 128 yards rushing on only 11 carries and scored his second touchdown of the season. Mikey Daley booted through his first extra point attempt for the season to put the Wildcats up 8-0. 

The defense took the field and completely dominated an over-matched Arlington squad. Linebackers Braden Hiltz (3.5 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 sack), Blake Hiltz (5 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss), Joey Dumoulin (five tackles) and Mark Companeschi (2.5 tackles) flew around the field shutting down the Arlington ground game.  

As was the case in last week’s game against Winchester, the offense struggled a bit for the remainder of the first half. A touchdown on the second drive was negated by a holding call and the Wildcats were forced to punt. The third and fifth drives of the half were stalled due to fumbles and the fourth drive of the half was stopped on downs.  

After making some halftime adjustments, a rejuvenated Wildcats squad took to the field holding onto an 8-0 lead and exploded for three more touchdowns.   After stopping Arlington on their first possession of the second half, the offense took the field and QB Andrew Sullivan led the team on a five play drive that culminated with a 22 yard touchdown strike from Sullivan to Tight End Andrew Brandenburg. 

After four runs from Kenney and Fullback Kyle Penney (5 carries, 15 yards, 1.5 tackles) went for 30 yards, Wilmington found itself facing a 4th and 6 from the Arlington 22 yard line.  Taking the snap, Sullivan backed up, facing blitz pressure from the defense and fired a perfect strike to Tight End Brandenburg who fought through a tackle and dragged a defender before breaking free and streaking into the end zone. The P.A.T. was no good so the Wildcats led 14-0 at the end of the third quarter.  

The defense took the field with a 14-0 lead and that is where the play of the game happened. Backed up deep in their zone, Arlington attempted  a pass that was tipped by Defensive Tackle Kyle Kenyon (2.5 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss) and snatched out of the air by Nose Tackle Peter Marino who made the leaping grab and darted 11 yards into the end zone.  The Wildcats led 20-0.  

After failing to score on their next offensive drive, the Wildcats gave up the ball to Arlington who was still unable to advance.  The defensive line, led by Defensive Ends Frankie Irizarry (3.5 tackles), Andrew Brandenburg (3 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss) and Defensive Tackles Marino, Kenyon, Brett Chisholm (2.5 tackles), Nolan Fitzgerald and Michael Smolinsky were in the Arlington backfield wreaking havoc.  Defensive backs Michael Ducharme (2.5 tackles), Timmy Rivers (1.5 tackles), Justin Fraser (1 tackle) and Mikey Daley (2 tackles) were solid in containing any chance of an Arlington passing attack.   

On fourth down, Ryan Brewer returned the punt 18 yards to give the Wildcats solid field position for their last drive of the game.  Wilmington had an eight-play, 51 yard drive that was capped with a Braden Hiltz 25 yard touchdown score.  That touchdown put the Wildcats up 26-0 and that was the final score of the game.  

For the game, the Wilmington offense was solid, rushing 24 times for 189 yards, an 8 yard-per-carry average.  That was due in large part to excellent Offensive Line blocking. The O-line was led by Kyle Kenyon at Center, Blake Hiltz, Mark Companeschi and Kyle Bolis at Guard, Pat McAndrew, Tommy Strow and Colin Rooney at Tackle.  Through two games, the Wildcats have carried the ball 46 times for 348 yards and five rushing touchdowns. The 7.6 yards-per-carry on the season is due to excellent running and excellent line play.  

The Wildcats will take on Watertown-Belmont on Sunday as they try to improve to 3-0 on the season.