SECTION IV FOOTBALL: DOMINANT DEFENSE POWERS WAVERLY TO 24-3 WIN OVER CLYMER-SHERMAN-PANAMA (24 PHOTOS) (2024-09-07)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportWAVERLY — Waverly’s defense was dominant throughout the game, and its offense surged to life late in the third quarter in a 24-3 win over powerhouse Class D Clymer-Sherman-Panama here Saturday evening in non-league football action at Memorial Stadium.
“I’m really pleased,” said Waverly coach Jason Miller. “CSP is a really good football team. They have some really good athletes.
“I think we wore them down a little bit as the game wore on.
“First game, a lot of new faces,” added Miller. “Even the guys who are really good athletes, they have a lot to learn.”
All-state QB Tate Catanese completed 65 percent of his passes last year and was picked off just six times in 212 throws, but the Wolverine defense limited him to 145 yards on 16 of 36 passing. They also intercepted him three times, and had a fourth pick nullified by a penalty.
“Pressure, pressure, pressure,” said Miller. “For the first time in our history, we’ve committed to playing man (coverage) with two high safeties.
“Against a team like this that really throws the ball, it allows us to get pressure,” he noted. “We’re athletic enough to hang with their athletes.
“When we were in zone early in the game, (Catanese) was kind of picking us apart,” added Miller. “We got in long yardage situations, played zone, and consistently played it through the remainder of the game.”
Miller lauded the play of his defensive line — sophomore Matthias Welles, junior Troy Beeman, and seniors Kam Hills and Jack Cheresnowsky.
“Our front four just played outstanding,” said Miller. “Matthias (Welles) had a constant motor all night, and played very well.
“And, Jack Cheresnowsky, for his first varsity game with us, I thought he played really well,” added Miller.
Offensively, the Wolverines failed to pick up a first down on their first three possessions, and finished the first half with 85 yards in total offense, and just four first downs.
The offensive woes continued into the second half as Waverly picked up just one first down on its first three possessions of the third quarter, then scored on three consecutive possession to pull away.
“Our whole problem on offense tonight was that we didn’t effectively run the ball, and that surprised us,” said Miller.
“They were lined up perfectly, where we thought we could execute our game plan … they were way more physical than we anticipated, and their two (line)backers played outstanding,” noted Miller. “And, their (defensive) ends played outstanding … they are tall, and they were in the pass lanes, especially to the outside.
“(CSP) is very well-coached, and I can’t say enough about the (defensive) scheme they had,” added Miller. “They had a plan against our pulling guard, and brought backers behind them. They brought too many people, and we couldn’t block them.”
The game began with consecutive three-and-outs, but CSP drove into the red zone on its second possession, thanks to Catanese completing all three of his passes for 56 yards, including a 36-yard hook up with all-state receiver Bryce Hinsdale.
On second-and-goal at the Waverly 7, junior Hogan Shaw picked off a Catanese pass at the goal line, and returned it to the 28.
“Hogan (Shaw) had a huge pick in the red zone; that was a monumental play,” said Miller.
“He has a knack of reading the eyes of the quarterback, and jumping it,” added Miller. “It looked like he threw it right to him, but obviously (Catanese) didn’t see him.”
Waverly failed to take advantage of the interception, and punted the ball back to the Wolfpack.
After an exchange of punts, CSP took over at the Waverly 46, but two plays later, Watson intercepted a Catanese pass.
Waverly picked up its initial first down of the game on a 14-yard run by senior Fletcher Good, then collected another first down on the first play of the second quarter on a 10-yard pass from Ben Shaw to Keathley.
Three plays later, however, Hinsdale picked off a Ben Shaw pass to end the drive.
Following a CSP three-and-out, Waverly took over but coughed up the ball on its second play at its 46.
The Wolfpack had a pass play to the Waverly 1 nullified by a penalty, and was forced to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Hinsdale that gave them a 3-0 with 6:32 left in the first half.
The lead was short-lived, however, as the ensuing kickoff was initially mishandled, then scooped up by Watson at the 8-yard line. He broke a tackle, cut toward the home sidelines, and raced 92 yards to give the Wolverines the lead. Hogan Shaw’s PAT kick made it 7-3 with 6:14 remaining in the half.
“That return was a huge play,” said Miller. “CSP had just kicked a field goal, and Xavier picks up a loose ball, makes a guy miss, and is off to the races.
“That’s a huge momentum swing there,” he noted. “We go from down 3-0 to up 7-3, it gave us a big boost.
“We go into the halftime with the lead,” added Miller. “It’s always a different feeling than being down.”
After forcing a CSP punt, Waverly drove to the Wolfpack 22, but a Hogan Shaw 39-yard field goal attempt was wide right as time expired.
Waverly’s offensive difficulties continued for the majority of the third quarter, but the Wolverine defense maintained their dominant play.
With 2:27 returning in the third quarter, Good made a leaping interception at the Wolverine 18.
Ben Shaw, who was 2-for-11 for 12 yards at that point, connected on three consecutive passes, including a perfectly-thrown pass across the middle of the field to Keathley, who turned it into a 66-yard play to the 16.
Ben Shaw then connected with Watson on a quick-hitter, and Watson bulled his way 14 yards to the Wolfpack 2, where junior Cooper Robinson finished off the drive with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter. Hogan Shaw’s PAT kick made it 14-3.
After forcing CSP into another three-and-out, Ben Shaw engineered a three-play scoring drive. He hit Keathley on a 22-yard pass play, then Watson made an incredible diving catch in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard TD with 11:28 remaining in the game. Hogan Shaw’s kick made it 21-3.
Ben Shaw completed his last five passes of the game for 119 yards. In total, he was 7 of 16 for 131 yards, one TD, and one interception.
“First of all, it was his first varsity game,” said Miller. “I think he was extremely nervous.
“There’s going to be a learning curve,” he noted. “At times it was extremely ugly, but he going to mature and get better and better, and learn to take what the defense is giving him.”
“It also had a lot to do with what (CSP) was doing on defense.
“For a first varsity game, playing both ways, he did a pretty admirable job,” added Miller. “His last four throws were perfect. He throws a catchable ball.”
Hogan Shaw added a 33-yard field goal with 2:38 remaining in the contest to provide the final margin.
Keathley led Waverly’s receivers with three catches for 98 yards, and Watson had three grabs for 33 yards, and one TD.
Waverly’s ground game accounted for 145 yards on 34 carries. Good led the way with 48 yards on 11 carries, while Keathley added 34 yards on four carries, and Robinson chipped in with 31 yards and one TD on eight carries.
Hinsdale led CSP with six receptions for 88 yards, and Alex Barrmore had eight catches for 43 yards.
CSP finished the game with 27 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Waverly returns to action Thursday night when it hosts Binghamton.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Fletcher Good picks off a pass. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly’s Kolsen Keathley hauls in a pass. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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