WASHINGTON, Pa. – Junior running back
Andrew Sharp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) totaled five touchdowns as the Washington & Jefferson College football team pulled away in the second half for a 42-14 victory over visiting Grove City (5-3, 4-1) in a battle of conference unbeatens in Presidents' Athletic Conference play Saturday evening at Cameron Stadium.
The win is the seventh-straight for the Presidents, who saw their dominant rushing attack continue in the victory over the Wolverines, which ended a five-game winning streak for the visitors. The win puts W&J alone atop the PAC standings with just two games left and only one conference game remaining on the schedule.
The Presidents' two-headed monster rushing attack continued to shine on Halloween. Sharp collected 151 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. With the efforts, Sharp becomes the first W&J running back to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark in a season since
Jordan West did so in 2018.
Freshman quarterback
Braylon Wagner (New Bethlehem, Pa./Redbank Valley) added 145 yards and a rushing score on 17 carries. W&J surpassed 300 yards rushing in a game for a fourth time this season.
The Presidents received the opening kickoff and marched 62 yards on nine plays. Sharp capped the drive with a receiving touchdown from Wagner from five yards out.
Later in the quarter, Grove City elected to go for it on a 4th and one at their own 44. A fumbled snap on the exchange allowed W&J to stall the attempt. The Presidents took advantage of the short field, matriculating 46 yards on six plays, which was capped by a four-yard score by Wagner.
The Wolverines cut the Presidents lead in half a few minutes into the second quarter. A 64-yard passing play by the Wolverines set up a five-yard rushing score by the visitors. W&J was quick to answer, moving 75 yards on just six plays to stretch the lead to 21-7 on an 11-yard rushing score by Sharp.
Grove City cut the W&J lead back to a single score just before halftime. The Wolverines moved 74 yards on 15 plays for the touchdown. W&J moved inside the red zone but was denied points when Grove City forced a fumble on a third down play. That score and stop allowed Grove City to build some momentum as they trailed by a 21-14 score at halftime.
The Presidents turned the momentum back in their favor in the third quarter. Following a quick three and out, Sharp scored a one-yard touchdown on a fourth and goal attempt. That score made it 28-14 Presidents with 7:39 showing on the quarter clock.
On the ensuing drive, Grove City made the risky decision to go for it again on fourth and short from their own 33-yard line. The Presidents denied the Wolverines and quickly countered with another score. Sharp tacked on a seven-yard rushing score to make it 35-14 late in the third.
Sharp added his fifth touchdown, a 19-yard rush, that extended the lead to 42-14 with 13:23 to play in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Presidents were strong throughout the night, which included keeping the Wolverines off the scoreboard in the second half. Senior defensive lineman
Antoine Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) registered three sacks to pace the defensive efforts. Junior linebacker
Brock Sherman (Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) finished with a game-high 10 tackles and a sack. Senior defensive lineman
Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) added five tackles including a pair for loss.
The Presidents forced four turnovers on down and limited the Wolverines to 259 yards of total offense.
W&J hosts Saint Francis for its annual Senior Recognition game next Saturday (Nov. 7). Kickoff in the matchup between the Presidents and Red Wolves is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cameron Stadium.
