Football: Westminster beats W&J, captures first PAC Title!

As "Bear" Bryant first said, "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championship."....that was the case in New Wilmington Friday night as Westminster captured the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship
The Titans defeated Washington & Jefferson in a game where turnovers played a big role.
Ian Barr was one-man wrecking crew on the Presidents first drive, turning a strip-sack and fumble recovery in six points for Westminster. Dylan Kidder's extra point good, 7-0 Titans.
Two plays after an Ian Valentine punt return that set up the Titans at the W&J 5-yard line...Frank Antuono found paydirt from one yard out, 14-0.
The Presidents responded as Justin Heacock connected with Payton Skalos for a 21-yard touchdown strike, 14-7.
Sean Disbrow's 22-yard field goal were the only points scored in the second quarter. At halftime, Westminster led 14-10.
Special teams came to bat for Washington and Jefferson in the third frame. With the Titans backed up near their own goal line on fourth down, Drew Erlich blocked a punt, recovered in the end zone by Trey Everson. For the first time, Westminster found themselves trailing.
Down 17-14, head coach Scott Benzel looked to his defense to make another big play, and they delivered. On 3rd-and-9 near midfield, Luca Botti picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards, setting up the Titans at the 25-yard line.
Three plays later...Cole Konieczka and Bryce Sallack hooked up for a 13-yard score. Westminster back in front 20-17, with 12:12 to go in the contest.
With less than eight minutes to play, Konieczka took a deep shot on 1st-and-10 from their own 30, finding the hands of Sharon-product Tylon Eilam for a 55-yard gain, the biggest offensive play from either team. It was a sequence that resulted in six, as Ian Valentine capped off a 3-play 70-yard drive with a touchdown. 27-17 Titans.
It proved to be a big enough cushion for the Titans who held on for their first PAC title win, 27-20