KINGSTON — Sparked by explosive runs by Sean Mikovitch, Wyoming Valley West defeated Abington Heights, 38-7, in a non-league football game Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

Mikovitch, who accounted for 212 yards on 14 carries, took advantage of big running lanes and broke several tackles to score two touchdowns.

“The offensive line played perfectly today,” Mikovitch said. “Everybody was playing their hearts out and I wasn’t going to let anyone tackle me.”

Valley West went ahead 7-0 when fullback Zach Davies scored on a 9-yard run with 9:21 left in the first quarter after Jake Blaski recovered a fumble by Abington Heights quarterback George Tinsley.

Abington Heights tied the game when Tinsley, who threw for 170 yards, connected with Trey Koehler for a 19-yard touchdown. Koehler hauled in five passes for 81 yards.

The Spartans regained the lead on their next play from scrimmage when Mikovitch ran 71 yards for a touchdown, breaking two tackles along the way.

Valley West kicker Jake Gurtis added some insurance points before halftime, capping a 13-play drive with a 23-yard field goal.

Mikovitch struck again, this time for a 44-yard touchdown run, on Valley West’s first possession of the second half.

The senior running back scored on a 7-yard run, his third touchdown of the game, to end a 7-play, 55-yard drive and give the Spartans a 31-7 lead with 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Darrian Tyson made a big play of his own by returning an Abington Height punt 40 yards for a touchdown after reversing the field during his trek to the end zone.

Valley West had constant pressure on Tinsley for most of the night, forcing the Comets signal called into many substantial losses as part of negative 76 yards rushing.

“It’s something we’re constantly trying to do,” Wyoming Valley West head coach Pat Keating said. “Whether it’s by blitz design or techniques the guys are using upfront, it makes life easier when you can pressure the quarterback.”

Wyoming Valley West 38, Abington Heights 7

Abington Hts.`0`7`0`0`—`7

Wyo. Val. West`7`10`14`0`—`0

First quarter

WVW — Zach Davies 9 run (Jake Gurtis kick), 9:15

Second quarter

AH — George Tinsley 19 pass to Trey Koehler (Colin McIntyre kick), 9:25

WVW — Sean Mikovitch 71 run (Gurtis kick), 9:10

WVW — Gurtis 23 FG, :05

Third quarter

WVW — Mikovitch 44 run (Gurtis kick), 10:29

WVW — Mikovitch 7 run (Gurtis kick), :52

Fourth quarter

WVW — Darrian Tyson 40 punt return (Gurtis kick), 10:08

Team statistics`AH`WVW

First downs`11`22

Rushes-yards`25-2`42-362

Passing yards`170`109

Total yards`171`471

Passing`15-34-170`8-11-109

Sacked-yards lost`8-68`3-12

Punts-avg.`5-31`2-30

Fumbles-lost`1-1`1-0

Penalties-yards`4-20`8-80

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — AH, Kaleb Sherman 16-77, George Tinsley 8- (-76), Trey Koehler 1-1. WVW, Sean Mikovitch 14-212, Jayden Watkins 1-11, Rob Dwyer 11-42, Zach Davies 5-28, Darrian Tyson 6-24, Jake Blaski 2-12, Carson Canavan 3-26, Jake Shusta 2-12, Brendan Woods 1-20.

PASSING — AH, George Tinsley 15-34-0-170. WVW, Jake Shusta 2-3-0-36, Rob Dwyer 6-8-0-73.

RECEIVING — AH, Trey Koehler 5-81, Corey Perkins 4-25, Chase Overholser 1-10, John Rama 2-11, Kaleb Sherman 1-11, Mike Malone 2-32. WVW, Darrian Tyson 4-54, Jake Blaski 2-21, Dylan Jockel 2-34.

INTERCEPTIONS — None

MISSED FGs — AH, None. WVW, Gurtis 40.

Mikovitch
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_WVW-Mikovitch_CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgMikovitch

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Rob Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.