The Wing T - Windber Vs NB


Windber vs NB Wing T

The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

November 9, 2008

Windber back in title game

BY DAVE POTCHAK

LOYSBURG — The Windber Ramblers rolled over the Northern Bedford Black Panthers on Saturday, 35-15 in a District 5 Class A semifinal.

Windber's near perfect execution of the single-wing, direct-snap, misdirection offense had the Panthers guessing all night long, and most of their guesses were wrong, as the Black Panthers defense never did get a handle on how to stop the third seeded Ramblers.

Windber’s victory sets up a rematch of a Week 2 game with Conemaugh Township. The Indians, seeded fourth in the district playoffs, beat the Ramblers 14-0 during the regular season.

Crisscrossing counters by running backs Jarod Spinelli, Kevin Erickson, Brandon Ulasky and Mike Clark moved the ball methodically down the field early in the first. The Ramblers scored when Ulasky crossed the goal line from 13 yards out with 6:24 to go. His kick was also good to put Windber up 7-0 early on.

When the No. 2 Panthers failed to move the ball, Windber was in good field position and the onslaught continued. A 12-yard run by Erick Strapple moved the ball to the 4. Two plays later, Spinelli scored on a counter from the 1.

Ulasky's second kick made put the Ramblers up 14-0 early in the second.

The Panthers did sustain a drive late in the second and capped it off with a 10-yard run by fullback Bronson Bowser and Northern Bedford converted for two more points.

The Ramblers squeezed in another score when Ulasky scored on another misdirection play from 26 yards out. His third successful kick gave the Ramblers a 21-8 lead headed to the half.

“We knew they would try to spread us out on defense,” Windber coach Phil DeMarco said. “We were fortunate to pretty much shut down their deep threat, Marshall Clapper and some of their other playmakers.“

Erickson scored on a 10-yard run at the 3:53 mark of the third quarter and Ulasky’s kick gave Windber a 28-8 lead.

Erickson followed up his effort with another score, from 2 yards, with 9:26 left in the game.

Ulasky’s fifth kick put the Ramblers up 35-8 with 9:26 showing in the game.

The Panthers managed a late score when Logan Zimmerman ran a sweep from the 8.

 

My Roots - The Potchaks - circa 1927

My Roots - The Potchaks - circa 1927
From Left: Son, Steve - Dad, Frank - Mom, Anastasia (Makar) - Sons; John, Mike, Frank, Chuck (Author's Dad) - Twins, Pete & Mary - Daughter, Catherine. Photo taken in Wilmore, PA