By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
PECKVILLE – Here are 10 key numbers to sum up Wednesday night’s 87th annual Dream Game.
60
Statistic: Total points scored. The rest of the story: The County’s 31-29 victory included 41 second-half points and 6 more as time was expiring in the first half.
801
Statistic: Combined total offense. The rest of the story: The City outgained the County, 456-345. The City got 378 of its yards through the air. The County was more balanced with 197 rushing and 148 passing.
3
Statistic: Lead changes. The rest of the story: The County went ahead on the last play of the half, then stayed in front until there were two lead changes in 26 seconds midway through the fourth quarter.
56
Statistic: Length of game-winning touchdown. The rest of the story: On the first play after the City took a 29-25 lead, Delaware Valley’s Aiden Oliver threw deep down the middle to Old Forge’s Mike DiGregorio, who won a race to the left flag for a 56-yard touchdown.
362
Statistic: Passing yards by West Scranton’s Cayden Merrifield for the City. The rest of the story: Merrifield’s record passing night came with 15 completions in 27 attempts for 3 touchdowns. He threw for 295 of the yards in the second half, including 236 in the fourth quarter.
202
Statistic: Receiving yards by North Pocono’s Ryan Dolphin for the City. The rest of the story: Dolphin caught 10 passes, including a go-ahead, 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter when he had 115 of his receiving yards.
144
Statistic: Rushing yards by Western Wayne’s Zane Janiszewski for the County. The rest of the story: Janiszewski dominated the middle two quarters when the County outscored the City, 25-15. He had 98 of his yards, on 14 of his 23 carries, and both of his touchdowns during that time.
7,467
Statistic: The announced paid attendance. The rest of the story: A year away for the pandemic did not appear to impact the crowd, which was similar to other Dream Games since the move from Scranton Memorial Stadium to Valley View’s John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville.
10
Statistic: Tackles by Dunmore’s Karl Kincel for the City. The rest of the story: Kincel was the game’s leading tackler. His first tackle went for a 2-yard loss and he also assisted on three other tackles.
256
Statistic: Combined punt, kickoff and interception return yardage by the County. The rest of the story: The County led for all but 26 seconds after Delaware Valley’s Mark Callanan returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. It also responded to the City’s opening score with a 72-yard kickoff return by Western Wayne’s Zane Janiszewski to set up a touchdown.
