WILMINGTON POP WARNER B TEAM CRUISES BY READING 32-6; WIN 19TH STRAIGHT MIDDLESEX LEAGUE GAME

READING – The Wilmington Wildcats B Team endured tough weather and tough competition on Sunday to come away with their fourth win in five games and their nineteenth straight Middlesex League game.  Paced by John Kenney’s 141 rushing yards and five touchdowns, the Wildcats toppled the Reading Rockets 32-6.  For the day, the Wildcats had 220 yards rushing with fullbacks Kyle Penney, Peter Marino, Blake Hiltz and tailback Braden Hiltz contributing with 80 yards rushing.  The offensive line, led by Kyle Kenyon, Mark Companeschi, Owen and Michael Steen opened huge holes for the running backs.  The Wildcats were without starting right tackle Tommy Strow but Colin Rooney and Pat McAndrew stepped in and did a fantastic job for Wilmington.  On the defensive side of the ball, Pete Marino and Blake Hiltz each had another monster game for the Wildcats.  Marino led the team in tackles from his nose tackle spot with 5.5 tackles for the game, including three tackles for loss.  Hiltz anchored a solid linebacker unit with five tackles and a forced fumble that was picked up and returned by safety John Kenney for a defensive touchdown.

After a solid return on the opening kickoff, the Wildcats appeared to score on a 40 yard run by John Kenney but the play was called back due to a holding penalty.  The Wildcat offense had the ball 1st and 20 from the fifty yard line and two short runs followed by two incomplete passes turned the ball over to Reading.  The Wildcat defense rose to the occasion and stuffed the Reading offensive attack.  Defensive ends Andrew Sullivan and Drew Brandenburg contributed with 5.5 tackles on the day while defensive tackles Frankie Irizarry (2.5 tackles), Brett Chisholm, Cam Willis and Michael Smolinsky protected the middle of the defense.

On their second possession, the Wildcat offense came to life.  Utilizing their “Maryland I” offense (two tight ends and an extra fullback in the backfield), the Wildcats scored on their first play of the possession, an 85 yard touchdown run by John Kenney between the right guard and right tackle.  The PAT was no good and the Wildcats took a 6-0 lead.

After another defensive stop, the Wildcat offense came back on the field and orchestrated a five play drive with Penney, Hiltz and Kenney getting carries on the series.  The drive culminated with a four yard touchdown run by Kenney, his second of five touchdowns on the day.  The Wildcats took a 12-0 lead.

The Wilmington defense took the field again and continued their dominance.  Reading tried to open up their offense with more but corners Michael Ducharme, Mikey Daley and Aaron Soto shut down the Reading passing attack.  Outside linebackers Joey Dumoulin (two tackles), Braden Hiltz (two tackles), Kyle Kenyon and Kyle Penney (combined three tackles) did an excellent job against the run and the pass guarding the flats and not allowing any big gains by Reading. 

On the final drive of the half, Wilmington brought in a new offensive unit.  Timmy Rivers went to quarterback, Hiltz and Marino went to the backfield, Ryan Brewer and Sudarsham Swamy went to receiver and Ben Stafford, Nick Kullman and Kyle Bolis came in on the line.  The Wildcats had an eight play drive that unfortunately ended in a turnover but the drive gained 25 yards on eight plays.

With just a few minutes left in the half, Reading struck for a long pass play to their backside tight end.  Joey Dumoulin managed to run him down close to the endzone but Reading eventually scored.  Their PAT was blocked so the score stood at 12-6 going into halftime.

After a fiery halftime speech from Coach Sullivan, the Wildcats came out in the third quarter and played perhaps their best single quarter of the season.  A quick defensive stop gave way to a three play drive by the Wildcats that culminated in a 28 yard touchdown run for John Kenney.  The PAT by Daley was good and the Wildcats took a 20-6 lead.

On the next defensive series, a monster hit by linebacker Blake Hiltz led to the Reading running back coughing up the football which Kenney returned for a touchdown.  The Wildcats increased their lead to 26-6.

After yet another strong defensive stand, the Wildcats came out and put together a six play, 30 yard drive that culminated in a three yard touchdown run for Kenney, his fifth touchdown of the game and third of the quarter.  Two of the highlights on the drive were quarterback Timmy Rivers completing passes to Mikey Daley and Pete Marino to keep the drive alive.  The pass to Daley went for 10 yards while the grab by Marino netted 15 yards on the play.  The Wildcats took a commanding 32-6 lead and began bringing substitutes off the bench before taking a knee late in the fourth quarter.

At 4-1 (4-0 in Middlesex League play), the Wildcats sit atop first place in their division.  A big game against Arlington in Arlington on Sunday is the only thing standing in the way of another Middlesex League championship and another trip to the Eastern Massachusetts playoffs.