In a commanding performance, the Berwick Bulldogs triumphed over the Hazleton Area Cougars with a decisive score of 48-6 on September 29, 2023. The victory marked a significant turnaround for Berwick, which had previously suffered a disappointing loss to Hazleton Area a year earlier.
The night belonged to Ty’Meere Wilkerson, who rushed for an impressive 291 yards and scored four touchdowns. His explosive performance was a stark contrast to his previous encounter with Hazleton Area, where he recorded only one carry for a loss. The transformation is a testament to the hard work and dedication Wilkerson put in during the offseason.
The game started with Hazleton Area taking an early lead. Within the first three minutes, Logan Gennaro caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Freddy Corrado, putting the Cougars ahead 6-0. However, the Bulldogs quickly responded with a nine-play, 74-yard drive culminating in a 23-yard touchdown run by Wilkerson.
Wilkerson’s first-half efforts included touchdowns from 57 and 2 yards, giving Berwick a comfortable 21-6 lead by halftime. Coach CJ Curry praised his offensive line for their critical role in Wilkerson’s success, stating, “They got some good blocks for me and I just cut off their rear ends and did what I had to do.”
The Bulldogs dominated the ground game, totaling 414 rushing yards as a team while limiting Hazleton Area to a mere 24 yards. Berwick completed only one pass throughout the game, a 41-yard touchdown from Ashton Smith to Alex Estrella on a fake punt in the third quarter.
Curry emphasized the team’s commitment to the running game, saying, “That’s who we are. We want to be running the ball the way we did here tonight. Our guys love it.” The versatility of Wilkerson, who also had experience as a receiver, allowed the Bulldogs to exploit various offensive formations, keeping the Cougars on their toes.
Despite the loss, Hazleton Area’s first-year head coach, Scott Sacco, expressed his concern about the team’s morale. “We get down on ourselves way too quickly,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a battle for four quarters, but we just got too down on ourselves.”
As the game progressed, Berwick extended its lead with additional touchdowns from Wilkerson and Gavin Galutia, enforcing the PIAA’s mercy rule with a score of 41-6 before the end of the third quarter. Smith capped the scoring with a 46-yard run in the fourth.
The victory marked Berwick’s first win at Hazleton since 2018, a significant achievement for the team and a stark contrast to their previous season’s frustrations. “Every one of our guys bought in,” Curry reflected on the offseason changes. “They bought into getting bigger, stronger, faster. We didn’t want to get pushed around anymore.”
With this win, the Bulldogs improved to a record of 4-0, while Hazleton Area fell to 1-3. Both teams will return to action next week, with Hazleton Area facing Wyoming Valley West and Berwick going up against Hanover Area. The impressive performance by Wilkerson and the Bulldogs sets a hopeful tone for the remainder of the season, as they continue to build momentum.
