Wesley Drops Season Opener
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Mike Pennewell and Aaron Jackson each topped 100 yards rushing, but No. 3 Wesley was undone by 15 penalties in a 25-22 loss at Delaware Valley.
The Wolverines jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first half. Pennewell capped an impressive drive of 11 plays and 73 yards with a two-yard touchdown run on Wesley's first possession.
On the Aggies' ensuing possession, a snap sailed over the punter's head that resulted in a 42-yard field goal by Collin Blugis four plays later as Wesley jumped ahead 10-0.
After forcing a Delaware Valley punt, the Wolverines went on a 15-play, 79-yard march that ended with a Jackson finding paydirt from four yards to send the Wolverines into the half ahead 16-0.
In the second half, Wesley turned the ball over at their own 33 on their first possession. Delaware Valley quarterback Mike Isgro finished the resulting seven-play drive with a six-yard touchdown run to cut it to 16-7.
The Wolverines turned the ball over again on their next possession, giving the Aggies the ball at the Wesley 44. Delaware reached a fourth and one, but Wesley jumped offsides to give the Aggies a first down. After moving the ball to the Wesley 10, Shane Toohey kicked a 27-yard field goal to cut it to 16-10.
On Delaware Valley's next possession, Wesley was flagged for another fourth down penalty to keep the Aggie drive going. Isgro hooked up with Brandon Fox for a 38-yard touchdown four plays later. The extra point made it 17-16 in favor of the Aggies with 10:38 to go in the game.
Wesley was not finished, however. The Wolverines overcame three penalties on an 11-play drive that resulting in Shane McSweeny's first career touchdown pass. On the other end of the 14-yard score was a leaping Jon Lanouette, who came down with the ball between a pair of Delaware Valley defenders. After the two-point conversion was incomplete, the Wolverines led 22-17 with 4:35 remaining.
The Aggies regrouped and put together a drive that marched them inside the Wesley 10 with less than a minute to play. Passes by Isgro on first and second down fell incomplete and the quarterback was stopped at the one when he ran it on third down. But on fourth and one, Butch Whiteside crossed the plane with just 11 seconds to play. The two-point conversion gave Delaware Valley a 25-22 lead.
Pennewell rushed for 146 yards on 26 carries, while Jackson slashed for 100 on 14 attempts.
Isgro tossed for 211 yards on 19-of-36 passing for Delaware Valley. Dan Heiland caught six passes for 73 yards.
Jeremiah Santiago led Wesley with 10 tackles. Kyle Gesswein had a game-high 13 for the Aggies.
Wesley will look to its home opener against Widener on Saturday, September 20 at 1:00 PM at Scott D. Miller Stadium.
Notes: Pennewell moved into fifth place all-time at Wesley with 2,063 yards...Jon Lanouette moved into a tie for fifth with 121 career receptions.
