Warwick clinches top seed in Class AA Division 2

| 28 Sep 2011 | 02:59

    MONTGOMERY-Senior Derek Hrinya ran for two touchdowns and five other Wildcats scored as Warwick clinched the AA-2 championship with a 45-0 win over the Valley Central Vikings. By virtue of the victory, Warwick also clinches a spot in the AA Semifinals against the #2 seed from AA-1 on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. That game will be played at Kingston’s Dietz Stadium. Washingtonville also benefits from the Warwick win, as they have now clinched a berth as the AA-2 second seed. As for this game, played under a steady, misting rain throughout the four quarters, the Wildcats were oblivious to any distractions. Detours because of flooded roads could not stop this 2005 Warwick football edition from hitting on diversified cylinders. After VC went three-and-out to open matters, Warwick senior Joe Stolzenberg brought a punt return all the way back to the Viking 29. On the first play from scrimmage, Hrinya raced all 29 yards into the end zone for his seventh touchdown of the season. VC stopped the two-point conversion run but Warwick led 6-0 at the 9:20 mark of the first quarter. Senior defensive back Kyle Regan then intercepted VC senior quarterback Chris Elia and brought the pigskin back to his own 45. Two plays later, senior running back Matt Stranski broke out for a 22-yard run, giving the ‘Cats a first down at the Vikings’ 20. After Hrinya earned three yards on a carry, senior quarterback Ryan Darcey connected with sophomore wide receiver Isia Reyes on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Reyes now has three touchdown receptions in as many games. VC again stopped the conversion run, but Warwick had opened up a 12-0 lead with 4:59 left in the first. The Wildcat defense, led by the play of senior defensive lineman and captain Shaun Barrett, soon got the offense back out onto the field. The unit wasted little time as Stranski powered his way into the end zone from 37-yards out. Hrinya snuck in the corner for a two-point conversion, giving Warwick a 20-0 lead with 1:32 remaining in the opening quarter. The Vikings were relying on Elia scrambles and some nice rushing attempts by junior John Guy to keep their offense on the field. However, Warwick kept them under control and got yet another chance to light up the scoreboard. Warwick started its next possession on its own 22, but Hrinya took off on a 78-yard scoring expedition. The Vikings blocked the point after attempt, but the rout was on at 26-0 with 10:46 to go in the second. The Wildcats knew it was their night when they got the ball back and scored for the fifth time in five possessions. Stranski earned a first down early in the drive and then Hrinya broke loose on a run to take the ball down to the VC 34. Here, Darcey fooled everyone by racing down the far sideline all the way into pay dirt. Junior John Sala kicked the point after, making the score 33-0 at the 6:48 mark. The next three series ended with fumbles, giving Warwick another opportunity before halftime. This time, Stolzenberg got the touchdown from 17 yards out at the 1:17 mark. The extra point kick missed, so Warwick stood at 39-0 going into halftime. Warwick used back-up quarterback junior Chris Meinhardt to anchor many of the offensive series in the second half. Elia stayed in the game for VC and gave his team its best chance to score with two great first down runs early in the fourth quarter. These plays brought the Vikings to the Warwick 31, but Elia fumbled two consecutive snaps and then threw an interception to Warwick senior defensive back Randy Devereaux. Senior Warren Huffman came on as Meinhardt’s back-up and the Wildcats quickly scored again on senior running back Chris Zueger’s 86-yard TD jaunt. VC blocked the point after, so the 45-0 score had been reached with 3:55 remaining in the game. The AA-2 Champion Wildcats improved to 5-2 overall, 4-0 in AA-2. They host Goshen next Friday in the annual Spirit Trophy Game. Valley Central dropped to 4-3, 1-2 in AA-2. Next Friday VC hosts Minisink Valley in an AA-2 battle for third place.