Wilson junior RB Rodney Gillin busts through the Manheim Township defense during their PIAA District 3 AAAA first round playoff game on Friday, November 12th, 2010, in John Gurski Stadium, West Lawn, PA. (Jeremy Drey, Reading Eagle)
Coaches generally hate playing a foe twice in one year and Wilson Head Coach Doug Dahms is no exception. League rivals generally give each other a hard time the second time around as they are more familiar with the team, its play style, and the various strengths and weaknesses. This did nothing to slow down the Bulldogs Friday evening. All they managed to do was score 42 points before half, ending the playoff hopes of Manheim Township in a 48-21 rout.
The game was never in doubt, thanks mostly to the play of junior RB/DB Rodney Gillin and senior WR/DB Connor Mathias. The two scored three TDs a piece, all in the first half. Gillin only carried the ball 10 times but racked up 172 yards and three rushing scores. He also set up a score with a magnificent INT. Mathias hauled in two TD passes from senior QB Zach Zweizig, and returned an INT for an additional TD. Gillin's performance, as noted in the instant recap posted on Friday, leaves him a mere 106 rushing yards away from breaking Pete Gilmore's school record for rushing yards in a single season, set in 1999 over the course of 13 games. The upcoming second round game versus Cumberland Valley will be Gillin's 12th of the year.
All 21 points surrendered by the Bulldogs came after the game was well in hand, with numerous back ups and underclassmen seeing some well earned playing time. Wilson surrendered a meager six first downs and three rushing yards to the Blue Streaks, who never found a rhythm against the Bulldog starters. This was a statement game for Wilson, as many felt the team played well below par against Township just three weeks prior in a 27-14 Bulldog victory. This time around things went closer to script.
Up next for the 11-0 Bulldogs are the 9-2 Cumberland Valley Eagles, the 7th seed in the D3-AAAA playoffs. This is the third consecutive season that the Bulldogs and Eagles are meeting in the District playoffs. In 2008, the Bulldogs dismantled an over-matched CV team in the District Championship, 42-7, in Hershey, PA. Last season, however, the Eagles got revenge on the Bulldogs home turf. The game went down to the wire as the Eagles upset Wilson, 28-21, and they then went on to defeat Bishop McDevitt (who has since dropped to AAA) in double OT to claim the 2009 District 3 AAAA title. So, yes, there is quite a rivalry here. Should be a great one. Game starts at 7pm from Gurski Stadium, Friday, November 19th.
NOTEWORTHY WILSON STATS
TEAM
OFFENSE
First Downs: 16
Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 30 / 305 / 4
Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 19 / 123 / 2
Total Yards: 428
Penalties / Yards: 5 / 35
DEFENSE
First Downs Allowed: 6
Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 16 / 3 / 1
Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 31 / 160 / 2
Total Yards Allowed: 163
INDIVIDUAL
OFFENSE
Passing: Zweizig - 9 of 14, 108 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Rushing: Gillin - 10 carries, 172 yards, 3 TDs, 0 fumbles
Receiving: Mathias - 2 catches, 51 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE
Tackles: Simcox & Mathias - 3
Interceptions: Mathias & Gillin - 1
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