Wolverines kick off season with a win

The White Pines Wolverines showed that their running game hasn't lost any steam.

Despite losing the High School Football League's leading rusher from last season in Alanzo Clarke to graduation, the Wolverines continued where they left off and chewed up 322 yards along the ground on their way to a 29-19 senior division win over the Sir James Dunn Eagles on Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The game marked the opening of the regular season.

Heading into the second half tied at 7-7, the Wolverines ground game eventually wore down the Eagles defense and scored three touchdowns to pull away.

Jon Widgett scored touchdowns for White Pines on runs of 62 and 40 yards while Tommy Swystun scored two more majors on a 16 yard reception from quarterback Cory Wensley and a 37 yard run.

Matt Santos booted four converts for the Wolverines and kicked a 30 yard punt single.

Tyler Brown opened the scoring for Sir James Dunn on a three yard run while Peter McGonegal on a 13 yard run and J.J. Bergamin with a one yard sneak scored in the fourth quarter. Nick Wegener added a convert.

Widgett led the Wolverines offense with 129 yards rushing on 11 carries. Swystun added 109 yards on 14 attempts while Gary Leith gained 31 yards on five rushes. Wensley completed six of 11 passes for 89 yards and Jesse Fitton caught two passes for 31 yards.

Matt Connors led White Pines defensively with eight tackles while Matt Ritchie added 6.5 and Jake Doan four.

For the Eagles, McGonegal led all rushers with 165 yards on 21 carries and Brown added 43 yards on eight carries.

Steve Running led the defense with seven tackles, Fred Casselman had five, Frank Theriault four and Jason Piper four. Brent Jarrett made three tackles and two sacks while Art Dawe made three tackles and a sack. Dave Morano and Colby Nedeau each recovered a fumble.

Action in the senior division continues on Friday with St. Mary's meeting Bawating at 7 p.m. while St. Basil tackles Korah at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Rocky DiPietro Field.

*** JUNIOR DIVISION:

In the season opener, Jimmy Castellani scored two touchdowns to lead the Eagles past the Wolverines 35-8.

Adam Solomon, Adam Piper and Jarvis Milne also scored touchdowns for Sir James Dunn while Tyler Rousain scored for White Pines.

On Friday, St. Mary's travels to Bawating at 4:15 p.m. while St. Basil visits Korah on Saturday at 10 a.m.