Metea gives Waubonsie Valley a scare

Only a short stretch of Eola Road pavement separates Waubonsie Valley and new District 204 rival Metea Valley.

The Warriors sure weren't expecting the margin on the football field to be so close this soon.

Eric Josupait's 1-yard touchdown run and Matt Girardot's go-ahead extra point in the third quarter held up, and Waubonsie was breathing easier after holding off Metea 21-20 on Friday at Dick Kerner Stadium.

Waubonsie's players weren't exactly puffing their chests after beating a first-year varsity program made up of juniors and sophomores - who all moved over from Waubonsie when Metea opened its doors last year.

"We definitely didn't come in with the right frame of mind," said Waubonsie quarterback Matt Schapen, "and (Metea) came in looking to punch us in the mouth. But we got the job done when it counts and that's all that matters."

Backup signal-caller Schapen, in his second start in place of under the weather Tommy Kolzow, completed 13 of 20 passes for 175 yards.

The Warriors senior was at his most clutch on Waubonsie's go-ahead scoring drive. Schapen completed 4 of 4 passes, including a 33-yarder to a leaping Demetrius Gray near the pylon on the right sideline.

That set up Josupait's 1-yard touchdown on an option pitch, and Girardot's extra point made it 21-20 with 1:48 left in the third.

"We had some players step up and make plays when we needed them, like Demetrius," Schapen said. "We knew we had to score to get the momentum back."

Tied 14-14 at half, Metea (1-4, 0-3 Upstate Eight Valley) got a big boost to start the third quarter as Tre'Sean Mackey returned the opening kickoff to the Waubonsie 41. Four plays later, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Mackey lowered his shoulder to shed a tackler and went 28 yards for a 20-14 lead.

Mackey, who ran for 105 yards on 17 carries, earlier hit Waubonsie for a 65-yard burst that set up a 5-yard touchdown run.

"He's explosive," Metea coach Ted Monken said. "Anytime he touches the ball there's always that chance because he has that quickness and that speed to take it the distance. He's a nice guy to have on our side."

The extra-point snap after Mackey's go-ahead score, though, was low and the conversion missed.

Metea earlier had a punt blocked in the first quarter, setting up Waubonsie's first touchdown. Andrew House threw for 91 yards and a touchdown for the Mustangs.

"To tell you the truth," Monken said, "we should have won. We gave up a blocked punt that gave them a free touchdown and missed an extra point and lost by one. You give away a game on special teams, it hurts like heck. We had this game won."

Metea's last gasp for a score stalled at midfield, hurt by a Mike Salvo sack of House for an 11-yard loss.

Jordan Johnson ran for 92 yards and Devon Morgan had a 10-yard touchdown run, blocked punt and fumble recovery for Waubonsie (4-1, 3-0), who won despite losing 2 fumbles and giving away 80 yards in first-half penalties.

"Technically it's a win," Salvo said, "but it doesn't feel like one in my mind. To win by one point against a bunch of juniors and sophomores, it feels like a loss."