Wesley shines as Imani Christian routs Springdale

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 11:45 PM

Tawan Wesley only threw 12 passes in Friday night's Eastern Conference battle between Imani Christian and Springdale, but 11 of them were completed.

The Saints senior quarterback hooked up with his receivers six times for touchdowns in a 66-16 victory over the Dynamos.

“They have athletes everywhere,” Springdale coach Seth Napierkowski said. “It's tough to defend that kind of athleticism. We tried a couple of new things this week, and they weren't as successful as we hoped they would be. We also had some blown coverages and too many missed tackles. We were in position at times and just didn't make a play. But give Imani credit, they did a great job of making plays. They have a great team and will be pretty tough to beat in the playoffs.”

Imani, the No. 3 team in this week's Class A rankings, improved to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Eastern Conference. The Saints have won four games in a row since back-to-back losses to No. 1 Jeannette and No. 2 California last month.

“This stretch has really boosted the guys' confidence,” Imani coach Ronnell Heard said. “We have to make sure we keep those guys humble and focused on next week (against Leechburg) and then into the playoffs.”

Springdale (4-5, 3-3) and is in fourth place. Despite the loss, the Dynamos remain in contention for one of the five automatic WPIAL-playoff bids from the conference.

Bishop Canevin's 49-21 win Friday over Greensburg Central Catholic put the Crusaders at 3-4 (fifth) and dropped the Centurions to 2-4 (sixth).

Springdale hosts Greensburg Central Catholic next week to close the regular season.

“We have to get back to the drawing board and get better at what we do for next week,” Napierkowski said. “It will be senior night, and we'll have a good crowd.”

Imani struck just 1 minute, 5 seconds into the game as Wesley connected on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Sam Fairley.

Fairley hauled in two more touchdowns from Wesley in the first half and finished with four receptions for 89 yards. He added a 66-yard fumble return for a TD in the third quarter.

Seven of Wesley's completions were 20 yards or more, his longest coming on a 96-yard connection with Ray Jackson in the second quarter. Jackson caught three passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

“The offense played great, and we were able to protect really well,” Heard said. “That allowed us time to throw down the field a lot. Our receivers made nice plays.”

The Wesley-to-Jackson TD came after the Saints defense stopped Springdale on a 4th and 1 at the 4. Springdale forced an Imani safety a couple of minutes earlier, and its ensuing drive progressed from a start at the Saints' 45.

“If we can finish off that drive and put it in the end zone, it's 22-16, and things might be a little different,” Napierkowski said. “But (Imani) quickly took advantage and got back the momentum.”

In addition to the two points earned on the safety, Springdale picked up a pair of rushing touchdowns from Josh Harmon and Scott Landis in the first and third quarters, respectively.

Harmon tallied a 2-yard TD at 8:44 of the first. It capped a five-play, 65-yard drive that answered Imani's initial score of the contest.

Harmon finished with 19 carries for 110 yards.

Landis scored on a 16-yard run early in the third quarter to cut the Saints' lead to 42-16, but Imani answered with two scores to make it 58-16 and put the 35-point mercy rule into effect.

“We had some good runs here and there but just not enough to sustain many drives,” Napierkowski said.

Asante' Watkins had 100 rushing yards on nine carries for Imani.

Isreal Reed spelled Wesley at quarterback for a couple of series. He completed 3 of 9 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came in the third quarter, and Rahmon Hart, a transfer from Plum, was on the receiving end.

Hart caught four passes for 62 yards.

“Everybody is on the same page, and we're and hitting our stride,” Heard said.

Springdale senior Dylan Hargenrader suffered what appeared to be a lower leg injury on a pass reception late in the game. He was helped off the field. The extent of the injury was not known immediately after the game.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Imani Christian, Springdale