An out-of-county rivalry
![dallas poole td](/sites/default/files/styles/cmb_image_desktop/public/2024-02/IMG_3819_2.jpg?itok=etICkcUA)
Winters Mill and Williamsport quickly became adversaries on the football field, writes Cooper Sheeler
My junior year we are set to play Williamsport in the playoffs, a team we often scrimmage. The game had come down to the very end and after the third quarter Williamsport had taken a steady lead ahead of us. We ended up losing 41-21.
To watch the seniors ahead of us lose a game that could have been won was rough, we knew something had to change the next season.
![pulling ag/ wp](/sites/default/files/styles/cmb_image_desktop/public/2024-02/IMG_3816.jpg?itok=d8D9N8Pt)
The very first game of the 2023 regular season was going to be Williamsport. A game that was revenge for us and a great opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the season. I play right guard for Winters Mill and I knew there was a challenge ahead of me.
We came out strong in the first half, running the ball very efficiently. The defense had been holding them all half and the Wildcats were struggling.
![Winters Mill football's first ever playoff win](/sites/default/files/styles/cmb_image_desktop/public/2024-02/IMG_3820_0.jpg?itok=3G3k6WDe)
We eventually ended up beating Williamsport, 38-14. After that game we had realized that we could possibly be a great team and wanted to take that energy to the end of the season.
Fast forward to the second round of the playoffs. We had a bye week and our first game of the playoffs was none other than the Williamsport Wildcats.
This was a must win, both teams looking for revenge.
![celebrate beating wp](/sites/default/files/styles/cmb_image_desktop/public/2024-02/IMG_3052.jpg?itok=4Blyf_VN)
Williamsport had more size on the defensive line for this game. The same strategy still applies in this game that I used in our last game against them. With a hard-fought first half and a great game overall we ended up beating Williamsport for a second time. we finished the night with 280 rushing yards.
Not only was this a statement game, this was Winters Mill’s first ever playoff game win.
I am very proud to be a part of this game and to be a part of Winters Mill’s historic run.
NOTE: Photos 1, 2, and 4 courtesy of Thomas Walker Photography; Photo 3 courtesy of Jamie Howard