Williams Valley is set to host Minersville on Saturday for the District 11 2A semifinals, as the Vikings aim for their third straight appearance in the PIAA state playoffs. The Vikings, boasting a record of 10-1 overall and 8-1 in the league, are coming off a decisive 42-13 victory against Executive Education in the first round of the District 11 playoffs. Meanwhile, Minersville, with a 9-2 record and 7-2 in their league, advanced after a close 35-27 win over Pen Argyl in their playoff opener.
“They have great athletes all over the place and weapons, and it”s been a battle the last three years with these guys,” remarked Williams Valley head coach Ben Ancheff. “It”s been a playoff game with them like it should be every time.”
The previous encounter between these two teams in week four saw the Battlin” Miners emerge victorious with a 43-40 scoreline, thanks to Dante Carr“s impressive performance that included three touchdown runs and three touchdown passes, alongside 217 passing yards. “Our defense has to play their tails off every single play, and that”s really what it takes,” stated senior quarterback Brady Shomper of Williams Valley. “We know we can score, and they”re (Minersville) going to bring their best game.”
Minersville”s senior leadership, including quarterback Carr and receivers Paiten LaPoint, Ty Atkinson, and Matthew Dube, are all eager to make a significant impact in their final playoff run for a chance at the state playoffs. “When you let Dante (Carr) and the seniors see the field on offense, they”re making big plays,” said Minersville head coach Justin Frantz. “Everyone talks about our offense, but our defense is awesome.”
Minersville is currently riding a six-game winning streak that began with a 38-7 victory over Marian Catholic on September 27. In contrast, Williams Valley has won five straight, beginning with a 35-14 win over Panther Valley on October 3. Over the course of 11 games, Minersville has outscored their opponents 433-185, while Williams Valley has a remarkable 481-133 scoring margin through the playoffs.
Williams Valley has claimed the District 11 Championship title seven times in the past eight years, including their last Class 1A championship in 2021. “It”s going to be great, and we have to keep the mentality of making a statement,” said Fletcher Thompson of Williams Valley. “We”ve been coming out with the mentality of making a statement.”
This season, the Vikings” offense is led by Shomper, who has thrown for 23 touchdown passes and accumulated 1,527 passing yards. Evan Achenbach has contributed significantly with eight touchdown receptions and 563 receiving yards, while Thompson has emerged as a threat on the ground with 17 touchdowns and 1,360 rushing yards. “We need to stop Dante Carr because he”s a very shifty quarterback, put pressure on him, and keep him in the pocket,” Thompson emphasized. “We need to make sure (Paiten) LaPoint doesn”t get open either.”
Defensively, Williams Valley is anchored by Trevon Bair, who averages 8.5 tackles per game, and both Bair and Camron Green have contributed eight tackles for loss. On the other side, Minersville”s offensive efforts are spearheaded by Carr, who has amassed 26 touchdown passes and 1,600 passing yards, along with 18 touchdown runs and 1,252 rushing yards this season. “It”s been a lot of time we”ve played with each other since we”ve been freshmen, so that makes it easy to spread the ball out,” explained Carr. “We just want to take it one snap at a time, and Williams Valley is a great team.”
Carr broke the school”s all-time passing yardage record earlier this season, surpassing the previous mark held by former Battlin” Miner Scott Schwalm. Carr”s connection with LaPoint has been particularly fruitful, with the two linking up for 18 touchdown passes and LaPoint gaining 661 receiving yards. Atkinson and Dube have also combined for an impressive 714 receiving yards. In the backfield, Derek Derenzo has added seven rushing touchdowns and 760 rushing yards to the mix.
Defensively, Minersville is led by Derenzo”s average of 10 tackles per game and 16 tackles for loss, while Dube contributes with 7.6 tackles per game and 15 tackles for loss. Williams Valley advanced to the District 11 2A semifinals after their win over Executive Education, where Shomper and Thompson both scored two rushing touchdowns, and Achenbach caught two touchdown passes.
“It”s great to keep teams on their toes, and it makes things easier having the balance, which is what”s great about our offense,” Shomper said. As for Minersville, their playoff journey commenced with a narrow 35-27 victory over Pen Argyl, highlighted by Carr”s remarkable four rushing touchdowns and 300 rushing yards. This Saturday, Williams Valley will host Minersville for a chance to compete in next week”s championship against the victor of the Schuylkill Haven vs. Northern Lehigh semifinal.
