Football: Wilmington’s playoff run ends

Updated: November 5, 2011 7:08PM

Jacoby Posley caught the game winning touchdown pass in overtime and Winnebago exacted revenge against host Wilmington 14-7.

Last season, Wilmington defeated Winnebago 55-29 in the first round of the playoffs, a loss the Indians used as motivation.

“All of us remember the game from last year,” said Indian Quarterback Dylan Daub, “our coaching staff wouldn’t let us forget. Our main goal was to come out and play harder and tougher and come away with a victory. It’s a good feeling to have accomplished our goal.”

What was a high scoring affair last year turned into a defensive struggle this year. The Wildcats (7-4) opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 41 yard run by Zach Skoryi. The Indians (9-2) answered on the very next possession with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Daub to Derek Polkowski.

For the next three quarters, neither side could move the ball very effectively and they entered overtime knotted at 7. The only drive into the red zone in the second half resulted in a missed field goal for Wilmington.

“We were glad to get to overtime and get the ball on the 10 [yard line], otherwise, I don’t think we could have moved it that far down the field,” said Indian Head Coach Mark Helm with a chuckle. “But seriously, that was a great effort by both defenses. The teams were familiar with each other from the game last season and we had a lot of film to study, which doesn’t always happen in the playoffs. We had a good game plan defensively and did just enough on offense to win the game.”

On the game winning play, Daub faked a pitch to the right, then rolled back to his left to find Posley wide open in the endzone.

“It’s a play we have worked into our goal line package, said Helm. “Daub got the corner to bite on the fake and put the ball right on the numbers.”

The game featured five turnovers and Winnebago overcame 11 penalties to move on to the quarterfinals.

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