Simply put, Bradford had no answer for Erie Prep’s speed Friday
night at Parkway Field.

Justin Wiley streaked through and around the Owls defense to
score four of his team’s five first-half touchdowns in the
Ramblers’ 64-7 District 10 Region 6 victory.

The game completed Bradford’s Region 6 schedule where the Owls
finished 2-2 for the second straight year.

It was also the third straight setback for Bradford, putting the
Owls in a must-win situation next Friday night against Corry if
they want to be assured of a berth in the District 9 Class AAA
playoffs.

“That game will be like a playoff situation for us,” said a
somber Jeff Puglio, Bradford coach. “We win it, or, we go
home”.

The Owls will take a 6-3 record into the non-conference game
which will also be their regular season finale.

“That game will be like the first round of our playoffs,” Puglio
emphasized.

Despite the disappointing loss Friday night there were several
positive things that came out of the contest.

Bradford unveiled a new look in its passing game, althought it
was caused more by necessity than choice.

Senior Zach Smith took over the quarterback duties for junior
Cody Coats who is recovering from an injury and moved into Smith’s
split end position.

On Bradford’s second possession of the second half, the pair
hooked up on a 35-yard pass play for the Owls’ only score of the
night.

“Coats had not practiced all week and was a gametime decision,
so we went with Smith,” Puglio explained.

“Zach did a great job. He hung in the pocket and threw the ball
well. He took some shots, but played very physical and should be
proud of himself.”

The Owls also got through the game with no serious injuries,
which was crucial headed into next week’s game with Corry.

“We got some bangs and bruises, but nothing serious,” Puglio
pointed out.

It was no secret that the Owls were going to be in for a long
night. They were on the short end of two key factors – size and
overall speed.

“Prep is just a very good team,” Puglio observed.

The Ramblers (7-2) wasted little time showing their talent.

Wiley and quarterback Shyquawn Pullium scampered for big gains
on Prep’s first two plays from the line of scrimmage.

Pullium tried a pass that fell incomplete and then just handed
the ball to Wiley who capped the 80-yard drive with a 27-yard burst
into the end zone.

The Ramblers’ Noah Ackerman missed the PAT kick, which was about
the only thing the visitors did wrong all night, to keep the score
at 6-0.

Following a short Bradford punt, Wiley finished off a 31-yard
drive with a two-yard scoring run. Ackerman began his string of
eight straight extra points to make it 13-0.

Wiley closed out the first quarter with a four-yard run and the
Ramblers pushed their lead to 20-0.

Markel Keys bulled in from three yards out as the score went to
27-0 with 4:28 left in the first half.

Prep found the end zone again with just 45 seconds remaining
when Wiley tacked on six with a six-yard spurt and the Ramblers
took a 34-0 lead into the locker room at the intermission.

Just over two minutes into the third quarter, Bradford’s Richie
Buterbaugh recovered a muffed punt reception at the Prep 35 and on
the first play Smith found Coats for the Owls lone score. Cody
Nuzzo’s PAT kick made it 34-7.

In the blink of an eye, however, the Erie crowd was on its feet
as Rasean Thrower took the ensuing kickoff back 96 yards for the
touchdown and Ackerman’s kick made it 41-7.

Wiley found his way into the end zone for the fifth time with a
three-yard touchdown run and the score increased to 48-7 with 4:33
left in the period.

Dearis Williams closed out the quarter with a 15-yard run good
for six to finish off a 56-yard drive. Ackerman’s kick was good to
make it 55-7.

The Owls were pinned deep following a touchback on the kickoff
and things only got worse.

Two plays into the fourth quarter the Ramblers’ Alex Pearson
sacked Smith in the end zone for a safety and a 57-7 margin.

Reserve running back Stan Palua put Prep’s final touchdown on
the board with a one-yard dive into the end zone with 2:05 left to
play. Ackerman’s PAT kick was true for the final 64-7 score.