Spartans 2003

Andrew Althouse | 2001-2003 | Off/Def Tackle | #77

The 2001 team was loaded with talent – size, speed, and experience at virtually every position. The 2003 team, my senior year, came in with far less hype. Andy Taylor was one of the greatest RB’s we’ve ever had (in a long line of terrific RB’s at Wyomissing), but we would be breaking in a new QB, new receivers, and changing defensive schemes.

The change in defensive scheme, for that one year, was perfect. We switched to a 4-3 and had outstanding personnel to run the new system. I played alongside Rob Zelano at defensive tackle, a fierce competitor and a big, strong dude. Marc Hunsberger and David Mendoza formed a terrific pair of DEs that nobody could figure out how to handle.

The team was very well personified in the three starting linebackers. Jon Witmyer, maybe the most intense competitor we’ve ever had, manned the MLB spot and called the signals. Flanking him were a pair of undersized kids that were tough as nails and played their guts out every play – #7 Adam Moyer and #28 Jeremy Griesemer. That LB corps was what Spartan football is all about: a group of undersized but TOUGH kids that know the game, play hard, and just find ways to win no matter who’s lined up across from them.

Sean Hill provided great leadership and some spectacular plays at the QB position (who can forget his memorable 25-yard tackle-breaking touchdown run against Littlestown in the district playoffs?). Andy Taylor had a huge year at RB, complemented by Jason Eisenhower and Jeremy Griesemer. Jon Casale made some big plays in the passing game. Three seniors (Jon Witmyer, Marc Hunsberger, and myself) led the offensive front.

There were many great moments in the 2003 season: I’ll choose my top three.

1. Hail Mary vs. Boyertown: We were outplayed much of the game against a bigger, faster Boyertown team, but kept coming up with key turnovers and fourth-down stops in the red zone. Boyertown made five – FIVE! – trips inside our 20-yard line and scored only a field goal. Trailing 3-0 with two minutes to go, we recovered the last of Boyertown’s fumbles and took over on our 8-yard line. Sean Hill dropped back and launched a prayer to Andy Taylor, who caught it and outran the whole team to the endzone. Hallelujah! Wyo wins 6-3.

2. Come from behind against Muhlenberg (redux): We trailed the Muhls 14-0 at halftime. Coach Wolfrum and the staff kept our heads in the game and rallied us to an inspired third quarter, keyed by a Jeremy Griesemer TD, to cut the lead to 14-7. From there, more senior leadership took over. Sean Hill broke off a huge scramble to set up an Andy Taylor touchdown, tying the game at 14. The Muhls drove into Wyomissing territory, but Rob Zelano ccame up with a huge sack on fourth down to stop them cold, and Jeremy Griesemer struck again, this time with a long catch-and-run from Sean Hill to get us inside the Muhlenberg 10. Rather than play for the field goal, Coach Wolfrum did the smart thing and put the ball in Andy Taylor’s hands. Andy delivered, scoring the go-ahead TD with a minute to go, giving us a 21-14 win.

3. The playoff win: The game was only moments old when Andy Taylor caught a pass in the right flat and didn’t get back up. Losing your star running back can take a lot out of a team; somehow, it inspired us all to play the best game of the season. Adam Moyer took over at fullback and ran like Jim Brown, scoring two TD’s and rushing for almost 100 yards, and we steamrolled Littlestown to win 45-7. Many highlights: Eisenhower had a punt-return TD, sophomore Doug Coughlin picked up an interception, freshman Greg Lord showed a glimpse of the future with a touchdown.

We lost a heartbreaker the next week in the district final, but playing football at Wyomissing was a terrific experience. Coach Wolfrum, Coach Ferrandino, and the whole staff gave us so much, and my teammates were my closest friends during my time at Wyomissing. These are memories that I’ll carry with my all my life.