An out-of-county rivalry

My junior year we are set to play Williamsport in the playoffs, a team we often scrimmage. The game had come down to the very end and after the third quarter Williamsport had taken a steady lead ahead of us. We ended up losing 41-21. 

To watch the seniors ahead of us lose a game that could have been won was rough, we knew something had to change the next season. 

The very first game of the 2023 regular season was going to be Williamsport. A game that was revenge for us and a great opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the season. I play right guard for Winters Mill and I knew there was a challenge ahead of me. 

We came out strong in the first half, running the ball very efficiently. The defense had been holding them all half and the Wildcats were struggling.  

We eventually ended up beating Williamsport, 38-14. After that game we had realized that we could possibly be a great team and wanted to take that energy to the end of the season.

Fast forward to the second round of the playoffs. We had a bye week and our first game of the playoffs was none other than the Williamsport Wildcats.

This was a must win, both teams looking for revenge. 

Williamsport had more size on the defensive line for this game. The same strategy still applies in this game that I used in our last game against them. With a hard-fought first half and a great game overall we ended up beating Williamsport for a second time. we finished the night with 280 rushing yards.

Not only was this a statement game, this was Winters Mill’s first ever playoff game win.

I am very proud to be a part of this game and to be a part of Winters Mill’s historic run.

NOTE: Photos 1, 2, and 4 courtesy of Thomas Walker Photography; Photo 3 courtesy of Jamie Howard