Williamstown ends 2-game skid with win over Washington Twp.

For teams searching for a positive end to disappointing seasons, Williamstown and Washington Township High had an opportunity to leave everything on the field in the inaugural Thanksgiving game between these neighboring communities.

That motivation was most evident with a little less than 5 minutes to play as Williamstown senior Harry Ulmer willed his way to the bottom of a pile and came away with a loose ball.

"The only thing on my mind was get that ball," the senior said. "I guess deep down I knew it could be my last play or at least the last really important play I could make for Williamstown. This is it, and if we don't get that ball, who knows what would have happened."

Visiting Williamstown (7-3) ended a two-game skid with a 47-28 victory Thursday. Township (3-7) had its opportunities, but in a game that mirrored its season to a large extent, every positive step just seemed to leave the Minutemen another step behind.

"Obviously, it's a frustrating season and, in this town, we've been winning football games for a long time," Township coach Mark Wechter said. "To know you are going to have a losing season at a certain point, for the kids to keep coming back, it's a tribute to them.

"We have a very daunting offseason ahead."

Both Wechter and Williamstown coach Frank Fucetola acknowledged before the game they were concerned about their teams' 13-day layoff. That proved prophetic as both teams struggled early, including a botched opening kickoff by Township, a Williamstown fumble only three plays into the game and then a fumble by Township right back to the Braves.

Williamstown led at the half, 21-14, but that lead certainly wasn't comfortable.

"That's a great team, and I knew they would come back on us," said Williamstown senior Vince Kowalski, who played for the Washington Township youth program from first grade through eighth. "I know those guys, and I know that they weren't going to quit."

Kowalski had 10 tackles, 2 1/3 sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble, along with being the offensive lineman the Braves ran behind on most plays. He was correct in his analysis of Township, which battled and clawed to within 27-21 on a 5-yard run by Charlie Huff on the third play of the final quarter. Huff had two touchdowns and more than 100 yards on the ground.

Williamstown ate up 4 minutes on its next drive before punting back to the Minutemen, who took over with 5:57 left on their 16. After a pair of positive gains, Township fumbled, and Marques Little recovered for the Braves at the Township 26.

That's when Ulmer stepped up as Williamstown put the ball back on the ground. Initially, it appeared as if Township's Nick Caldwell had the ball, but once he disappeared under what seemed to be enough players to fill both rosters, Ulmer came away with the ball at the end.

"I just kept digging," Ulmer said. "After I got my arms around the ball, I held on for life, because anything and everything goes on under those piles."

The teams exchanged touchdowns and Williamstown tacked on a 1-yard run by Alex Kitchen with 16 seconds left in the game on first-and-goal after a timeout. The Minutemen then channeled every goofy kickoff play ever attempted and eventually fumbled in the end zone for one final touchdown and a 19-point loss that was much closer than the score indicated.

"It's a good start to this series," Wechter said. "I watched the kids on both teams, and I have to admit, I was a little worried about the emotions of both teams. But I could see during the game, the faces of both teams and the respect they had for each other. Now we begin to focus on next year." *

Send e-mail to

mradano@phillynews.com.