Wyoming Area’s running game more than offset Tunkhannock’s prolific passing attack.
Aaron Crossley had District 2’s top statistical game of Opening Night, carrying 25 times for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns while also throwing for a score when Wyoming Area defeated visiting Tunkhannock, 48-28, in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 game.
The Warriors rushed for 457 yards on 47 carries.
Tunkhannock’s Ben Chilson hit 15 of 29 passes for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the Tigers played from behind the rest of the night after Crossley ran 51 yards for a score just 1:37 into the game.
Crossley then threw a 16-yard touchdown pass for the first of Joe Marranca’s three scores and a 14-0 lead with 3:20 left in the first quarter.
Marranca needed just 4 carries to pick up 42 yards and his 2 other touchdowns. Michael Crane added 46 yards on 10 carries.
Colin Madan caught 6 passes for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns for Tunkhannock while Joey Ross caught 3 for 103 yards and a score.
The teams traded scores in the final 40 seconds of the first quarter, which ended with Wyoming Area in front, 21-6.
Chilson’s touchdown pass to Jeb Stephens was immediately followed by an 82-yard Crossley run.
The teams traded scores through the second quarter to reach halftime with Wyoming Area leading, 35-20.
Chilson sandwiched touchdown passes of 14 yards to Madan and 77 yards to Ross around Marranca’s 30-yard run.
Crossley scored from 18 yards out in the last minute of the half.
There was no scoring in the third quarter, but Marranca went in from the 3 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Chilson threw to Madan for a 5-yard touchdown and two-point conversion with 3:03 left, but Crossley again answered in the next minute with a long touchdown run.
Crossley’s 65-yard run closed the scoring.
Marranca led the Wyoming Area defense with six tackles, including a sack, and five assists.
The game was the only divisional contest among the openers in District 2.
