Dutchmen defensive backinjured in loss to Crusaders
2024 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By John Walk — LNP/Lancasteronline
ANNVILLE — For the second week in a row, an Annville-Cleona football player left the game on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance.
Last week it had been sophomore lineman Jaxon Speece, who was back on the sidelines Friday night when Dutchmen senior defensive back Dominic Casciotti attempted to tackle Lancaster Catholic receiver Zach Dresch during what ended up being a 40-yard touchdown reception early on in the Crusaders’ 49-27 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 win.
Casciotti was plowed over, his helmet popping off. He immediately went to the grass, face down, with no movement. When an Annville-Cleona athletic trainer reached Casciotti it wasn’t clear if he was breathing. With the assistance of others, the trainer flipped Casciotti over on his back. Casciotti immediately let out a large gasp as a pulse was found.
He was later placed on a stretcher and left the field in the back of an ambulance, speaking and moving his hands. No updates were immediately available on Casciotti’s condition after the game.
“Two weeks, two stretchers,” Annville-Cleona coach Matt Gingrich said.
As the ambulance left the field, Gingrich gathered Casciotti’s helmet and shoulder pads and walked back to the home sidelines, where his players had taken knees in a huddle.
“We have one of two choices,” Gingrich told his players. “We could feel sorry for ourselves, or we could defend ourselves.”
After the game, Gingrich said of his team: “They regrouped and kept fighting.”
Ultimately Lancaster Catholic’s ground game was too much to overcome, as the Crusaders (3-1, 4-3) rumbled to 356 rushing yards on the night, powered by workhorse back Brandon Way (15 carries, 196 yards, two touchdowns) and quarterback David Stefanow (seven carries, 102 rushing yards, 7-for-10 passing, 141 passing yards, three total TDs). Way surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season with the effort.
“We found our stride tonight,” Stefanow said. “We have struggled to play four quarters of football all season. We’d start out strong in some games and then slow down a bit. All four quarters we were moving tonight.”
Stefanow effectively operated an option rushing attack with him and Way. They took turns scoring on the first play from scrimmage at the start of each half.
Way’s was 76-yard score at the beginning of the game, Stefanow’s a 65-yard option keeper after halftime to push the Crusaders lead to 35-7.
Both teams traded blows from there to combine for 76 points and 833 total yards by the end. Annville-Cleona dropped to 2-2, 3-4 overall.
“Prayers for (Casciotti),” Stefanow said. “We’re hoping he’s alright. Even though we’re on opposite teams we would never wish for something like that to happen.”
