Comebacks and close games are becoming routine for the Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack football team.
Javant McClary’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Jace John capped the latest drama Saturday afternoon and lifted Wilkes-Barre Area to a 35-31, come-from-behind victory over Tunkhannock in a non-league game between Wyoming Valley Conference teams played at Lake-Lehman’s Eddie Edwards Stadium.
Wilkes-Barre Area is 4-3 with a two-point win on a conversion stop in the final minute and a one-point loss when it lined up for a field goal, but was unable to get the kick away late in the game.
The Wolfpack, who overcame a 13-point deficit in an opening win, have now followed up a three-game losing streak by winning three straight. Wilkes-Barre also trailed early in last week’s 27-25 win over Wyoming Valley West.
Tunkhannock lost its fourth straight – the last 3 by a total of 14 points – to fall to 2-5.
The Tigers led 28-14 late in the third quarter and 31-21 heading into the final four minutes.
Mekhi Nelson’s 4-yard run with 3:39 left cut the deficit to three.
The game-winner was the second touchdown pass of the day for McClary, who threw for more than 200 yards. Nelson surpassed 100 yards rushing while scoring 3 touchdowns.
Ben Chilson threw 3 first-half touchdown passes, covering more than 100 yards, to give Tunkhannock the lead three different times by halftime.
Chilson threw a 9-yard pass to Gavin Montross to make the most of a blocked punt and open the scoring 4:34 into the game.
Nelson’s 4-yard run tied it 7-7 after one quarter.
Chilson threw touchdown passes of 23 yards to Colin Madden and 73 yards to Ty Konen in the second quarter.
In between, McClary found Javon Goodwin for a 27-yard, Wilkes-Barre Area touchdown.
Tunkhannock opened its two-touchdown lead on a 3-yard run by Garrett Yuhas.
Nelson ran 23 yards for a touchdown with 21 seconds left in the third quarter the Wilkes-Barre Area defense kept the Wolfpack in the game by forcing Tunkhannock to settle for a 20-yard Ian Barbini field goal with 7:41 left.
Still, the Wolfpack needed two scores, which it got between Nelson’s running, the McClary-to-John pass and clutch late-game plate by the defense.
MORE SATURDAY FOOTBALL COVERAGE
Berwick-Wyoming Valley West: https://nepasportsnation.com/bulldogs-rally-past-spartans-21-14/.
Scoreboard: https://nepasportsnation.com/weekend-football-scoreboard-2/.
