Williamsburg holds off Nevada in district battle

WILLIAMSBURG — After a 1-3 start to the season, the Williamsburg football team now sits in the driver’s seat in Class 3A District 5.

The Raiders defeated 3A No. 5 Nevada 26-18 Friday night. Last week, the team defeated top-10 ranked Des Moines Christian on the road.

After playing top-three teams in 2A, 3A and 4A in their non-district schedule, the Raiders continued their difficult schedule in district play.

“We knew coming in we were going to have a tough schedule,” senior Dylan Weisskopf said. “With a new coach, new plays and getting into a flow with a bunch of younger guys, getting those four games out of the way against good competition set us up for success.”

Nevada had complete control of Friday’s game after a quarter, holding the Raiders to no first downs.

The Cubs scored midway through the first quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Drake Hinson to Cedar Smith.

With the offense still struggling, the Raiders turned to their defense to make a play.

The Raiders pressured Hinson, and Noah Banos came down with the interception.

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The Raiders followed with several first downs on their next drive with passes to Weisskopf.

“It took us awhile to find out what’s going right for us,” Grady Wetjen said. “Once we found what’s working, we kept doing those plays over and over.”

A strong drive stalled in Nevada territory, setting up a fourth-and-20 at the 27. The Raiders went for it.

Quarterback Cash Brown heaved the ball into the end-zone, and Bowen Stratton came down with it for the score.

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The Raiders’ defense was not finished. On the next Nevada drive, the Cubs attempted to complete a fourth-and-3 at the Williamsburg 25.

Weisskopf jumped the pass to the tight end and returned it for a 75-yard TD.

“We’ve been watching a whole bunch of film, and we knew they had that sneaky tight end stab up the middle,” Weisskopf said. “We knew the play was coming, and we were in man coverage, so I read it and made the return.”

Williamsburg led 12-7 at half.

The Raiders added two more scores in the third quarter, including an opening drive 14-yard TD run from Wetjen.

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So far this season, Wetjen has been used as a running back and a receiver, bringing versatility to the offense.

“I feel like since I’m able to go at multiple positions on the field it’s easier to find more scoring opportunities and keep the defense on their toes,” Wetjen said.

Later in the third quarter, Albert Bamrick returned a punt up the sideline for a 42-yard score, for a 26-10 lead.

The Raiders scored in all three phases, typically a good recipe for success.

Nevada scored one last time. As time expired in the third quarter, Nevada completed a 16-yard TD pass to John Nelson.

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The Raiders held off multiple chances from Nevada to tie the game in the fourth.

Moments after the game ended, the Williamsburg student section ran onto the field to celebrate with the players.

“Coach Blythe says nothing gets better than ‘Friday Night Lights,’”Weisskopf said. “The whole town had our back cheering and supporting and it means a lot.”

WILLIAMSBURG 26, NEVADA 18

Scoring

Nevada.............7 0 11 0—18

Williamsburg … 0 12 14 0—26

NEV — Smith 24 pass from Hinson (Gavin Egeland kick)

WBURG — Stratton 27 pass from Brown (missed PAT)

WBURG — Weisskopf 75 interception return (conversion failed)

WBURG — Wetjen 14 run (Keegan Kendall kick)

NEV — Egeland 27 FG

WBURG — Bamrick 42 punt return (Kendall kick)

NEV — Nelson 16 pass from Hinson (Smith pass from Hinson)

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