WILLIAMSTOWN — Resiliency and character, two virtues that coach Frank Fucetola preached the entire offseason, were stamped all over Williamstown's opening-night win over Seneca.
"We have a different mentality," running back Trey Alexander said. "Coach 'Fuce' is back, and he told us to come out with energy, and that's what we did in the second half."
Alexander carried 20 times for 122 yards, including two tide-turning scores in the second half.
Fucetola, who had a tremendous 24 years as coach of the Braves from 1996-2019, is back at the helm. On Friday night he saw his young squad battle back from deficits of 7-0 and 14-7 to go sprinting to a 1-0 start.
"It was a physical game," Fucetola said. "We're just trying to get the culture back to how it was. It's not all going to happen overnight, but it's starting to happen."
The Braves took some hard-charging steps, many of which were provided by Alexander.
One of three freshmen to start for Williamstown, his smooth cutback on a 20-yard score tied things up at 14 late in the third quarter. Alexander's battering run through traffic, from 12 yards out, provided the go-ahead points in the fourth.
"All we need is one explosive play," Alexander said. "It just builds and builds. That's what we work for."
Seneca took a 7-0 lead early when Jamar Warthen gathered in a swing pass from quarterback Anthony Tirico, made a defender miss, and swept left into the end zone.
Williamstown tied it up on a 30-yard scoring strike from Aiden Davidson to Kysheem Prunty before the Golden Eagles surged into the lead, 14-7 at the half, thanks to Tirico's 10-yard toss to Nate Sauerwald.
The Braves took control after the break.
"Great character," Fucetola said. "It wasn't easy."
Key Play
Williamstown's defense, which blanked Seneca after halftime thanks to effective man coverage, made one more big stop on the final play when Kysheem Prunty intercepted a pass inside the Braves' 20-yard line to end it.
Game Balls
Williamstown's Trey Alexander, nicknamed "Everything," served notice what a tough runner he can be, gaining 122 yards on 20 carries and reaching the end zone twice.
Quarterback Aiden Davidson had a solid game for the Braves, completing 9 of 15 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. He also kept the defense guessing with 39 yards rushing on seven carries.
Jamar Warthen was everywhere for Seneca. He caught five passes for 54 yards and a score, added 23 yards rushing on five carries, and he also stood out defensively, coming up with two interceptions.
They said it
Coach Frank Fucetola on the excitement of opening Night: "It felt good. How about that crowd? We're going to be okay. We're going to take baby steps but those steps will be big pretty soon."
What's Next
Seneca hosts Moorestown next Friday at 7 p.m. while Williamstown is at Shawnee for a 6 p.m. contest.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: H.S. football: Freshman Alexander leads Williamstown by Seneca in coach Fucetola's return
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