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SCRANTON — There was no showdown Saturday afternoon. Just sheer domination.
And Wyoming Area supplied it.
The Warriors used a vicious defense that created five turnovers and shut down Scranton Prep’s running game to dismantle the four-time District 2 Class 3A champion 34-0 in a non-conference game at Scranton Memorial Stadium.
Defensive back Dominic DeLuca and linebacker FJ Braccini had interceptions, with DeLuca returning his pick 28 yards for a touchdown. DeLuca also forced and recovered a fumble, one of three by Prep. Braccini also had a forced fumble.
Defensive lineman Sam Solomon had all three sacks and when Prep quarterback Paddy Grady did get off a pass, he or his receiver was often greeted with a violent hit.
“We saw on film that they were able to break tackles,” DeLuca said. “We needed to come down hill, hit them hard and not let go. Make sure we got them to the ground.”
It added up to Prep (1-1) being shut out in the regular season for the first time since Scranton defeated the Cavaliers 29-0 in Week 5 of the 2011 season. The shutout was only the third suffered by Prep in its last 99 games, with the other a 35-0 loss to Middletown in the 2017 PIAA Class 3A state quarterfinals.
“We’re just in that situation where we have those type of kids,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “Five four-year starters, we got talented guys who’ve gotten to that point they have that confidence on the field.
“Now it’s a matter of can they come together, can they bring everyone together and form that type of team that can go on that great run. Today was the kind of game where you find answers to those questions.”
The answers came quickly.
Braccini forced a fumble on Prep’s second play from scrimmage and seven plays later running back Leonardo Haros scored from three yards out. The Cavaliers went three-and-out on their next possession and Wyoming Area (2-0) went on another seven-play scoring drive.
DeLuca banged off a few defenders on a 17-yard run to put the ball at the Prep 7-yard line and scored on another run on the next play. DeLuca was back in the end zone four plays later with a 28-yard interception return to boost the lead to 20-0 at halftime.
With the running game completely obliterated in the first half, Prep turned to a short passing game in the third quarter in an effort to rally. The Cavaliers had middling success in the change of strategy, but also had their share of troubles.
Braccini received a bonus on Prep’s 10th play of the third quarter. He came up for a big hit on a receiver, but instead had the ball roll off the Prep player and into his arms. After a couple of runs by running back Corey Mruk, DeLuca dropped a pass over a defender and into the hands of receiver Brian Williams for a 44-yard touchdown.
Prep’s next possession also ended in a turnover as DeLuca stripped the ball and recovered it. Mruk capped the scoring a short time later with a 1-yard run.
The Cavaliers’ deepest journey inside Wyoming Area territory came early in the fourth quarter. They drove to the Warriors 10-yard line, but Solomon flattened Grady for a sack on third down, ending the threat.
Wyoming Area 34, Scranton Prep 0
Wyoming Area`6`14`14`0 — 34
Scranton Prep`0`0`0`0 — 0
First quarter
WA — Leonardo Haros 3 run (kick blocked), 2:57
Second quarter
WA — Dominic DeLuca 7 run (run failed), 10:20
WA — DeLuca 28 interception return (FJ Braccini from DeLuca), 3:23
Third quarter
WA — Brian Williams 44 pass from DeLuca (Stanley Moderski kick), 8:04
WA — Corey Mruk 1 run (Josh Cumbo kick), 1:45
Team statistics`WA`SP
First downs`14`11
Rushes-yards`36-131`23-(-1)
Passing yards`122`146
Total yards`253`145
Passing`6-13-2`16-29-2
Sacked-yards lost`0-0`3-19
Punts-avg.`2-44.5`4-22.2
Fumbles-lost`1-0`5-3
Penalties-yards`8-75`2-30
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Wyoming Area, C.Mruk 14-16, DeLuca 9-58, Braccini 2-7, Haros 4-11, Dillon Williams 2-8, Drew Mruk 4-1, Jacob Williams 1-1, team 1-(minus-1). Scranton Pre, Tucker Johnson 3-1, Paddy Grady 7-(minus-10), London Montgomery 3-7, Ryan McAndrew 7-19, Aden Johnson 1-(minus-2), TJ Roque 1-3, team 1-(minus-21).
PASSING — Wyoming Area, DeLuca 6-11-1-122, J.Williams 0-2-1-0. Scranton Prep, Grady 16-28-2-145, Gianni Argenta 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — Wyoming Area, B.Williams 4-76. C.Mruk 1-9, J.Williams 1-37. Scranton Prep, Rob Rossi 4-15, Brendan Colleran 3-41, Carter Odell 7-66, Johnson 1-9, Christian Graniel 1-15.
INTERCEPTIONS — Wyoming Area, DeLuca 1-28, Braccini 1-11. Scranton Prep, Odell 1-0, McAndrew 1-14.
MISSED FGs — none.
