In the end, kicks go Warwick’s way in win over Garden Spot
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Jason Guarente — LNP/Lancasteronline
It took an agonizing second or two for the officials to make their ruling. Vinny Bagonis didn’t bother waiting for it.
| Final | |
| Warwick | 20 |
| Garden Spot | 17 |
Warwick’s defensive lineman raced toward the bench to celebrate. Then he kept going until he reached the Warriors fans in the bleachers.
“As soon as I looked back and it was to the left,” Bagonis said, “I was gone.”
Warwick’s players felt like they had escaped and it was hard to blame them. Their Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 football matchup against Garden Spot included plenty of drama.
Warwick prevailed 20-17 when Zach Martin missed a 25-yard field goal as time expired at New Holland Friday night.
Bagonis never saw the back judge and field judge wave their arms. Once they signaled no good, that was all good for the Warriors.
Even Bob Locker, who has coached 25 seasons, could only shake his head in some combination of wonder and disbelief.
“That,” Locker said, “was one of the more interesting football games I’ve coached in.”
Before Martin’s missed kick, there was a made one. It was every bit as interesting.
Tyler Schoffstall connected from 42 yards with 3:51 remaining to give Warwick its three-point lead. The attempt hit the right upright and barely snuck through.
Schoffstall watched with anticipation like everyone else. The ball took a turn to the right, the opposite direction of Martin’s kick, but not too far right.
“I saw the ball fly through the air,” Schoffstall said. “Then it hit the post and my heart sunk. It bounced in. That was the happiest moment of my life.”
Schoffstall said 55 yards is his record in practice. It’s a little different when the lead is on the line in the fourth quarter. He had just enough leg to convert from 42.
“He’s amazing,” Bagonis said. “He’s always there at practice. He’s never skipping. He’s never late. He’s always working. When we need someone to trust, we can always trust him.”
Warwick (2-1, 5-1) played the second half with its third-string quarterback. Starter Thomas Myers has been out since Week 4 and backup Colin McGaw was injured before intermission.
That meant it was Asher Willard’s turn. Willard spent the winter in a three-way competition to be part of the quarterback group. The coaching staff decided to make the junior a starting defensive back and use him as an “in case of emergency” option under center. This qualified as an emergency.
“There are only so many reps in a week,” Locker said. “All of a sudden, you put him in. I thought he did an admirable job.”
The first time Willard dropped back to pass, he was sacked and his fumble was returned by Seth Musselman for a 34-yard touchdown. Warwick’s once-comfortable 14-3 lead was cut to 14-10.
Garden Spot quarterback Gabe Martin drew the Spartans even at 17 with a picturesque 29-yard touchdown pass to Nick Smucker with 10:35 remaining.
Warwick running back Heath Schnipke carried 38 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns. The offense was limited because of the inexperience at quarterback.
Willard had one completion. It was a 26-yard dart to Tyler Musser on third-and-long. It set up the go-ahead field goal. The Warriors held on from there.
“At the end of the game,” Locker said, “we’re gonna go home 5-1. We’ve gotta clean some stuff up. We’ve gotta figure some stuff out as we move forward.”
People rooting for Garden Spot (1-2, 2-4) might be tempted to focus on the kicks, especially the last one. Those were merely periods at the end of a sentence. This was a story with many twists and turns. As far as Warwick was concerned, it had a great ending.
