Football Makes it Four Straight Wins With Convincing 57-33 Triumph Over Lebanon Valley

(box score)

Widener's offense, defense and special teams continued on a tear thanks to senior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) and sophomore Laquan Robinson (Chester, PA), who each scored two touchdowns in the team's 57-33 Middle Atlantic Conference win over Lebanon Valley at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.

Widener's Carmen Imbalzano (Hamilton, NJ) scored on a seven-yard touchdown pass from fellow junior Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) and Lebanon Valley's Ben Guiles added a four-yard scoring run to make it 6-6 at quarter time.

The Pride (7-1, 5-1 MAC) then blitzed the Dutchmen for 30 points in the second quarter and were on their way to recording 50 points in four straight contests for the first time in school history.

Sophomore Anthony Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) got things rolling on a 22-yard strike from Haupt for a 13-6 contest. After freshman Brandon Harper (Clementon, NJ) intercepted LVC's Colt Zarilla at the Pride 48 yard line, junior James McFadden (Warminster, PA) booted a 30-yard field goal with 10:09 left in the half for a 16-6 Widener lead.

Joey Miller caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Zarilla to make it 16-13 with 5:57 left before Widener scored touchdowns on its last three possessions of the half. The first came when Cedrick Clayton hauled in a two-yard touchdown pass from Haupt, making it 23-13 with 3:09 remaining.

Freshman Anthony Davis (Upland, PA) got into the act by returning a punt 26 yards to the Dutchmen 35 yard line. He ended the four-play drive with a 33-yard scoring reception from Haupt, giving Widener a 30-13 lead.

Lebanon Valley (5-2, 3-2) looked to get some points before intermission and paid for it. With the ball at Widener's 34 yard line, Zarilla had his pass tipped by senior Gary Fish (Easton, PA) and intercepted by Robinson. The dynamic Robinson worked his way around several defenders and took it 83 yards for the touchdown and a 36-13 halftime score.

Matt Mankiewicz hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Zarilla to make it 36-20 before sophomore Terrant Morrison (Smyrna, DE) punched one in from four yards to give Widener a 43-20 cushion with 6:09 to go in the third.

Blair Ransom ran one in from eight yards to bring the Dutchmen within 43-27, but that man Robinson did his thing again. He fielded the kickoff and made his return look easy, going 88 yards for his second career kickoff return score and seventh career touchdown to make it 50-27 at three quarter time.

Cedrick Clayton added a 26-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Tevin Campbell (Brookhaven, PA) and Kenny King closed the scoring for the Dutchmen on a two-yard run.

Clayton ended with six catches for 91 yards and Haupt completed 15-of-26 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns for the Pride, who ended with a 505-480 edge in total offense. Morrison had 20 carries for 96 yards to help Widener get an impressive 227 yards on the ground.

Sophomore linebacker Dylan Ditmer (Exton, PA) continued his strong year by notching 12 tackles, eight solos, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Junior Jamal Dorsey (Mount Holly, NJ) and freshman Nick Rodriguez (Haddonfield, NJ) each posted nine tackles.

Guiles, the conference's leading rusher, was held to a quiet 22 carries for 108 yards for LVC. Zarilla completed 25-of-45 passes for 261 yards with Tim Picerno getting 12 receptions for 106 yards.

Cory Horner had 12 tackles and Clay Chaney added nine for the Dutchmen.

Widener sits in second place by itself in the MAC, one game behind Delaware Valley (6-0). Widener returns to action next Saturday at Albright, beginning at 1:00 pm in Reading, PA.

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