Cal-Ashland could go down to the wire
Lori C. padilla/For the Observer-Reporter
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
A couple of walk-off wins later, the PennWest California and Ashland (Ohio) football teams are looking for a home run Saturday afternoon when they meet in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The winner will advance to the national quarterfinals. In the Vulcans’ case, a victory would set up a rematch with the winner of the matchup between PSAC champion Kutztown and Slippery Rock, who meet Saturday.
Kickoff for Ashland-California is 1 p.m. at Adamson Stadium.
“Ashland’s a good team,” Vulcans’ coach Gary Dunn said. “But to me, at this point in the year all these teams that are playing are good. Ashland is battle-tested. They are just solid and I’m really impressed in how they trust in their players. Their quarterback has seen it all.”
Both teams needed late drives and walk-off, game-winning field goals to advance to the second round.
California defeated PSAC foe East Stroudsburg while Ashland upset Charleston (W.Va.) in the same fashion.
Anthony Bietko, the Vulcans’ senior kicker, booted a 29-yard field goal as time expired to lift California (9-2) to a 30-27 victory at Adamson Stadium.
The Vulcans are in the second round of the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2016 after posting their third win this year by four points or less.
Beitko made a season-long 44-yard field goal in the first quarter and added a 20-yard field goal late in the second quarter against East Stroudsburg. He broke the school’s all-time school record for points by a kicker, becoming only the second player in program history to reach 300 career points. The McKeesport High School product has converted 50 of 58 field goals in his career, becoming only the fourth kicker in PSAC history to make at least 50 field goals.
Senior quarterback Davis Black, an integral part of California’s offense, threw for 239 yards last week on 23 of 27 passing. He added 33 yards rushing yards on 10 attempts, including a pair of touchdowns.
“California has moxie, grit and mental toughness,” Ashland coach Doug Geisler said. “They’ve knocked off good teams. (Black) is a good quarterback. He’s poised. They have good looking players everywhere. The quarterback is the guy we must affect. At this point, the talent level is up. We must block and tackle and have ball security.”
In its 40-38 win over Charleston, Ashland won its first postseason road game in 105 years of football. The Eagles trailed by 11 points with 9:51 to play.
Junior kicker A.J. Rhodes gave Ashland the win at the buzzer.
Other top players for the Eagles are senior wide receiver Tony Pannunzio, who grabbed a program playoff-record 14 passes for 228 receiving yards. Senior quarterback Trevor Bycznski threw for 435 yards against Charleston.
Ashland has scored at least 40 points in three of its last four games.
“We have good players who I’m extremely proud of,” Geisler said. “They have spirit, grit and resiliency.”
The Vulcans are poised to take their shot.
“Our playoff win lifted our spirits and gives us hope,” said Vulcans center Jaheim Bassham. “We need to play better, focus a little harder and live in the moment.”