Sports

af2 playoffs

By Dave Konopki dkonopki@timesleader.com
Assistant Sports Editor

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers weren’t perfect during the first two quarters of their opening round af2 playoff game against Quad City.

But they were pretty darn close.

The Pioneers scored on all six of their possessions in the first half and the defensive unit allowed just 13 points en route to a 57-29 win against the Steamwheelers in an American Conference playoff game Saturday night at Wachovia Arena.

Top-seeded Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will host the winner of the Florida-Tennessee Valley game next Saturday in a semifinal contest. At press time, the game was still being played.

“We came out with an energy level that was unmatched,” said Pioneers head coach Rich Ingold, whose team won its eight consecutive game of the season and its 21st consecutive at home. “The way we came out of the gate, nobody was going to beat us tonight. Nobody.”

Quarterback Ryan Vena was nearly flawless in the first half, completing his first 13 passes for 163 yards and five touchdowns. His first incompletion took place with 4:01 remaining in the second quarter, when the Colgate product threw the ball into the stands to avoid a sack.

Wide receiver Rich Musinski – who provided 130 tickets to family members and friends – said there aren’t many quarterbacks better than Vena when he’s in the groove.

“He’s unbelievable,” said the Wyoming Area High School product, who hauled in a touchdown pass from Vena. “He’s so good when he spreads the ball around. He can put it anywhere.”

The Pioneers (15-2) were clicking on all cylinders right from the start. Vena connected with Kirby Griffin, Larry Kendrick and Musinski on touchdown passes before the game was 11 minutes old. Musinski got behind the Quad City (8-9) secondary for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Pioneers a 23-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the second quarter.

Eight plays. Three touchdowns. Twenty-three points.

“It was fun to watch,” said defensive lineman Isaac Hilton, who was named the game’s MVP. “Everyone was playing great. Offense. Defense. We feel if our offense and defense are clicking, we can’t be stopped.”

Vena completed 20-of-24 passes for 237 yards and seven touchdowns before giving way to backup Matt Schabert in the fourth quarter. He said the first two quarters might be the best half of football the team has played this season.

“I think so,” he said. “We were pretty much flawless on offense and our defense did a great job. We had a great week of practice, so I knew we were going to come out and play well early.”

It wasn’t just the offense that was playing well for the Pioneers.

Led by Hilton, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre did a good job shutting down Quad City quarterback J.J. Raterink and receiver Kris Peters – the No. 1 statistical players at their respective positions – although the pair did connect for a pair of touchdowns in the first half.

In the first quarter, Quad City’s three possessions resulted in a safety – with Hilton sacking Raterink in the end zone – a turnover on downs and an interception.

“Last year’s team didn’t have a pass rush,” said Hilton, who finished with three sacks. “This team does. We like to get after people.”

Ingold is expecting the same kind of play – and intensity – from his players next week.

“These guys are on a mission,” he said.