Tenacity and resilience are trademarks of a championship football team.
Joppatowne High displayed both those traits Friday evening. The Mariners rallied for a 18-14 victory at Patterson Mill Friday night to claim the UCBAC Susquehanna Division title.
“Resilience is the perfect word to describe this team,” Joppatowne coach Albert Goode III said. “It feels real good [to win the division]. We’ve just been through so much, trying to build the program up. The guys bought in during the offseason and that is what it takes. They did that and I am proud of them.”
The game turned on a pair of big plays in the third quarter. Trailing 14-6 with under three minutes left in the quarter, Joppatowne senior quarterback AJ Wilson hit fellow senior Shawn Cain with a pass over the middle that turned into a 60-yard touchdown, bringing the Mariners within 14-12.
“The first time we ran that play I missed it and the second time I knew it was going to be there,” Wilson said. “I knew I had [Cain]. He’s a playmaker and I knew he was going to make the play and score.”
On the ensuing kickoff, Joppatowne (8-1 overall, 6-1 UCBAC) ripped the ball from Patterson Mill’s returner and recovered near midfield.
“We talked about it at halftime - we need a turnover,” Goode said. “I challenged them to get a turnover and they came through for me.”
The Mariners turned to senior running back Steven Robinson to move the ball deep in Huskies’ territory. Robinson had three carries, including a nine-yard run on third-and-seven, to put the ball at the Patterson Mill’s 15-yard line as the third quarter ended.
Wilson took over from there, running in from 15 yards out on an option keeper to make the score 18-14.
A year ago, Wilson watched from the sidelines after losing the starting quarterback spot.
“He has a Hollywood movie script story,” said an emotional Goode said of Wilson. “He actually lost his job last year. Didn’t complain, didn’t pout. In the gym everyday in the offseason. Completely different guy and he is having a [great] year.”
Joppatowne’s defense forced Patterson Mill to turnover the ball over on down with seven minutes left in regulation. Robinson and the Mariners’ powerful offensive line grinded out the remaining time.
Robinson piled up 219 yards and a touchdown on 35 attempts. The senior’s third quarter touchdown pulled the Mariners even.
“Thanks to my line,” Robison said. “They dominated. We wanted this so bad so worked for result all week long.”
Early on, it looked like it was going to be a tough night for Joppatowne. Despite a big half from Robinson, the Mariners turned the ball over on downs three times in the first half, including on final play of the first half. The Mariners reached the Patterson Mill two-yard line with under 30 seconds left in the half and let the clock run down to a second on fourth down.
The Huskies stonewalled Robinson, marking the first time this season Joppatowne failed to score in the opening half. Robinson got the Mariners on the scoreboard in the third, but the Huskies responded immediately.
A long kick return by junior Samir Manning put the ball inside the Joppatowne 20. Sophomore RJ
Wilhelm capped off the short drive with a two-yard score, extending the Huskies’ lead to 14-6.
Patterson Mill didn’t scored again.
“First half, we found a few creases and we had a few decent plays but then [Joppatowne] really tightened up defensively,” Patterson Mill first-year coach David Huryk said. “They were flying all over the place and in the second half it was tough sledding. They are a very good team.”
The seventh straight win capped Joppatowne’s finest regular season since 2009 when they advanced to the Class 1A state championship game. The Mariners will be the No. 1 seed for next weekend’s North Region playoffs.
“This is really big,” said Wilson. “We fought through adversity, and we got the [win]. Last year, we didn’t even win two games in a row. This year, we turned it around. This is big. It’s been a total team effort.
JOPPATOWNE 18, PATTERSON MILL 14
Joppatowne 0 0 12 6 – 18
Patterson Mill 0 7 7 0 --14
Second quarter
Patterson Mill – Thomas Rohal 16 run (Connor Schoene kick)
Third quarter
Joppatowne – Steven Robinson 2 run (run failed)
Patterson Mill – RJ Wilhelm 2 run (Schoene kick)
Joppatowne – Shawn Cain 60 pass from AJ Wilson (run failed)
Fourth quarter
Joppatowne - AJ Wilson 15 run (pass failed)
