WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. – Farrell is showing it can beat teams in multiple ways, and that is only going to make them more dangerous down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Also see: District 9 Recaps • Brockway Edges Keystone • District 10 Friday Recaps
Last week, Kabron Smith threw for a school-record 400 yards. This week, Smith and Kylon Wilson both rushed for three touchdowns and Wilson and Brandon Chambers were both over 100 yards on the ground in a 48-7 win over Sharpsville that saw the Steelers take control in Region 3.
“The big guys up front decided they wanted to grind it out and do what they do best,” said Farrell coach Amp Pegues. “We’ve got a nice, veteran line with some big guys and they just said run it behind me and we did and were able to get it done.”
Wilson, who finished with 138 yards, 126 of which came in the second half, also credited the big guys up front.
“Our linemen came up big,” Wilson said. “Their hard work and dedication they put in, I appreciate them.”
See Wilson’s full interview here:
Defensively, the Steelers (6-1 overall, 5-0 Region 3) defense was dominant, limiting the prolific Sharpsville offense to just 29 total yards in a game played at West Middlesex for the Big Reds’ homecoming.
The Blue Devils’ lone score of the game came in the second quarter, a 10-yard pass from Caullin Summers to Garen Levis on fourth-and-goal after a blocked punt set up the Blue Devils (6-1, 4-1) at the 5-yard line.
Summers to Levis on 4th and goal from the 10. Farrell 20, Sharpsville 7, 7:27 2Q pic.twitter.com/TZ7XaO6K73
— YDL Sports Network (@ydlsportsnet) October 7, 2022
“We gave up that blocked punt and a good team like that you’re not going to shut them out completely,” Pegues said. “I’m just proud of my guys. They got the job done tonight.”
Farrell took command right from the get-go, taking their opening drive and marching down the field, capped off by Wilson’s first touchdown from four yards out.
Wilson intercepted Summers on the ensuing Blue Devils possession and returned it for a touchdown, but a penalty on the return brought it back. No matter, as the Steelers drove down the field again, this time with Smith sneaking it in from two yards out.
During a driving rainstorm at times, it became evident that the passing game was going to be limited.
The Farrell big guys thrived, and Wilson, Chambers, and Smith were the beneficiaries, with Smith scoring on the first play of the second quarter, a 4-yard run that made it 20-0.
Smith with his 2nd TD run, this one from 4 yards out. Farrell 20, Sharpsville 0, 11:54 2Q pic.twitter.com/3s8MuTAbby
— YDL Sports Network (@ydlsportsnet) October 7, 2022
Pegues was pleased with the effort from top to bottom.
“We need everyone,” Pegues said. “We need everyone in practice. The little guys are what make the big guys better. It gives them a good showing in practice, and everyone helps out and it results in a good win.”
Despite holding a 126-7 edge in total yards at halftime, it was just a 20-7 lead for the Steelers.
They came out to start the second half and made a statement, marching the ball 70 yards down the field and chewing up nearly half of the third quarter clock, with Smith keeping it himself on another 5-yard scoring run, this one on fourth down.
Wilson and Chambers both carried the ball 12 times in the second half, with Wilson notching a pair of 5-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter.
Wilson 5-yard TD run. Farrell 42, Sharpsville 7, 7:07 4Q pic.twitter.com/b787cc46Vk
— YDL Sports Network (@ydlsportsnet) October 8, 2022
Farrell’s defensive front, led by Malachi Owens, Kien Wade, Zaire Thomas, Punchy Boatwright, and others made life hard on Summers and the Sharpsville offense. Summers came in with over 1,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing but was under constant pressure all game.
“We knew coming in what type of team they are,” Pegues said. “Our defensive ends are stellar. We knew that we matched up well with them and we could get that type of pressure and those guys did.”
Rhondell McClinton Jr. put the finishing touches on the Farrell win with a late 34-yard touchdown run.
Chambers finished with 111 yards on the ground, while Wilson also had two receptions for 39 yards and Lamont Samuels Jr. one for eight.
Summers finished 5-of-16 for 48 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Levis caught two passes for 16 yards and Braeden Summers two for 15.
Farrell limited Sharpsville to negative 19 yards on the ground, including five sacks of Summers.
“We’re progressing each week,” Pegues said. “For us to get better each week, we could be scary. We’re where we’re supposed to be. We’re getting better. The kids understand this is our time. We play in the winter, we like to go into December.”
