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Dallastown's defense clamps down on West York

Steve Navaroli  |  GameTimePA

When an incomplete pass ended yet another West York drive on a fourth down, Dallastown defensive coordinator Ivan Quinones pumped his fist — a gesture he made several times Friday night.

That final throw came with 1:15 to play in the game and seemed fitting. After all, it was the sixth time the Wildcats stopped the Bulldogs on fourth down during the game.

"You coach by telling kids that's the time they have to step up. It's on the kids, they did a great job with that," Quinones said.

That defense led Dallastown to a 10-0 victory in the school's home opener,

The Wildcats improved to 2-0 on the young season on a night that started with a ceremony to name the turf Dallastown American Legion Field at Wildcats Stadium.

Jake Jansen hauled in an 8-yard pass from Cade Gold for the game's lone touchdown with only 26 seconds to play in the first half.

Jansen set up that score up with a terrific catch on the previous play when he grabbed the ball off of his shoulder.

"West York was bringing a lot of pressure. Cade had to get it out quick," Jansen said. "He did his job, and I just went and caught it. It hit me in my shoulder somewhere, I don't really know."

The senior also admitted considering the possibility it would be the only touchdown of the game, but he deflected the credit.

"Our defense went out and delivered a shutout," Jansen said.

Wildcats coach Kevin Myers said the late first-half score provided a sense of relief, but the real test came at the start of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs (0-2) took the second-half kickoff and went on a 17-play drive. But Dallastown's defense stiffened once West York got inside the 10-yard-line.

West York had first-and-goal from the 5. On third down, Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Folk was stopped just shy of the goal line, and on fourth, the Wildcats stuffed fullback Mason Bercik for another turnover on downs.

"Our defense is jelling every week, more and more," Myers said. "They are getting more comfortable with one another out there and trust one another to do their jobs.