By MIke Longo Jr.
Western Pennsylvania has predominantly been a hotbed of talented high school athletes in all sports who have gone on to achieve greatness. Football is no different, especially when you look hard at the quarterback position.
At Montour, the Spartans have a quarterback bordering on greatness. As the Spartans invaded Sarge Alberts Stadium to do battle with host Central Valley last weekend, Montour was armed (no pun intended).
Senior signal caller Jake Wolfe at 6-foot 1-inc and 195 pounds has the Montour machine rolling along. With a now 6-1 record, Montour's high-powered offense fueled by Wolfe has racked up 224 points scored to date.
Montour’s recent see-saw affair with Central Valley and latest victory was a game for ages that didn't disappoint the sell-out crowd in Beaver County.
It was basically a one-man show as star Quarterback Jake Wolfe was a one-man wrecking crew factoring in on all three Spartan touchdowns in the 21-20 win.
Wolfe got the Spartans’ offense moving, opening up the scoring with a seven-yard burst up the middle for the score. Matthew Marcinko added the PAT, which sent Montour off and running with a 7-0.
Central Valley would knot the contest at 7-7 after a 20-yard run by Jance Henry as the hard-hitting first quarter ended.
It was Wolfe in the spotlight again in the second quarter as he launched a scoring strike to Andrew Alston. After another extra point conversion by Marcinko, Montour regained a 14-7 lead.
Stellar defensive play by the Spartans held Central Valley's normally high-flying offense in check as Montour entered the break ahead by a touchdown.
Not to be outdone on the defensive front, the Warriors elevated their play shutting down Montour in the third and pitching a shutout. On the flip side, Warriors Jance Henry notched his second score on a 10-yard run retying the contest at 14-14. The quarter ended as such heading into the final stanza.
Possibly with a sense of urgency, or not, Wolfe continued to steal the show. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Wolfe took matters into his own hands once again.
Wofle blasted through a huge hole created by his offensive line scooting across the goal line for the Spartans' final score of the evening. Marcinko added his third extra-point conversion of the night putting Montour ahead 21-14.
Central Valley, not to be outdone, marched down the field and their drive was capped by a five-yard run by Mason Dixon.
All that was left was the extra point conversion and we would have been knotted up once again. However, that's where this battle took on a very unique twist. Known for being a gambler, Central Valley Head Coach Mark Lyons opted to attempt a two-point conversion. If his move pays off, the Warriors would have their first lead of the night.
Montour on the other hand had a different idea. Lyons' gamble failed miserably. Central Valley's play call was a pass, with heavy pressure from the Spartans’ defense that pass went incomplete falling aimlessly to the turf.
Both defenses battled for the rest of the contest as neither yielded a score enabling Montour to secure a slim 21-20 win, the sixth of the season. The only blemish on the Spartans otherwise perfect season was a 42-18 thrashing at the hands of WPIAL powerhouse Aliquippa.
On the evening, Spartans Quarterback Jake Wolfe showed why he is large and in charge this season as one of the WPIAL's standout signal callers.
Wolfe's final stats,13 of 18 in the passing department, good for 225 yards and a touchdown, also rushing for a pair. Receiving, Andrew Alston corralled seven passes good for 129-yards and a touchdown.
Appears Montour has already achieved playoff status football. If things continue status quo for the Spartans a deep postseason run and possibly a WPIAL Championship could be in their future.