Wilson, Pack lead potent Sto-Rox past defending WPIAL champ OLSH

By: Matt Vandirak
Saturday, August 31, 2019 | 12:35 AM

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart scored the first points of this Big 7 Conference game, then Sto-Rox scored the rest en route to an impressive 34-6 home victory over the defending WPIAL Class A champion.

OLSH (1-1, 0-1) took a 6-0 lead on their first offensive possession, going 71 yards for the only points of the first quarter, capped with a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jaymar Pearson at the 2 minutes, 12 seconds mark.

Sto-Rox (2-0, 1-0) tied the score midway through the second quarter when Eric Wilson connected with Amahd Pack on a 31-yard touchdown pass.

From there, it was all Vikings.

Sto-Rox used a little bit of trickery for its next score. Wilson completed a 28-yard pass to Jailon Berry, who lateraled the ball to Traynell Paxton, who took it the final 15 yards for a 13-7 lead late in the second quarter.

Pearson, OLSH’s dual-threat quarterback, suffered an apparent ankle injury and missed the Chargers’ final series of the first half. He returned to start the third quarter, but was again injured after a run and did not return.

His absence was costly for OLSH, but Sto-Rox didn’t’ stop making big plays.

Pack’s 75-yard punt return with 7 minutes left in the third put the Vikings ahead 19-6. He then added a 43-yard touchdown on a pass from Wilson.

OLSH coach Dan Bradley said of Pack, “He’s a special athlete. We called him ‘Lightning in a Bottle.’ He can turn a 2-yard catch into a 90-yard touchdown every time he touches the ball.”

The Vikings added another score in the fourth quarter, as Zay Davis scored on an 18-yard run.

The Sto-Rox playmakers put in strong performances.

Wilson completed 19 of 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

Sto-Rox head coach LaRoi Johnson said of Wilson, “He allows us to play at an exceptional pace. He’s a guy who understands the offense and what we’re trying to do.”

Pack had nine catches for 119 yards and 2two scores, and Berry added seven receptions for 175 yards.

The Vikings dominated statistically, outgaining the Chargers 427-138. Sto-Rox held OLSH to 33 yards rushing.

Bradley said: “It’s a young group. They understand it’s one game at a time. Whether we won or lost this game, it’s not the end of the season.”

Sto-Rox ended a three-game losing streak to OLSH.

“Everything you do is ultimately a learning lesson, and nobody likes learning while losing,” Johnson said. “It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. So when you see those teams that you lost to, you definitely owe them something”.

Sto-Rox will host Union next week in another Big 7 Conference clash, and the Chargers will visit Northgate in Big 7 action.

Tags: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Sto-Rox