United's Wrask too much for Lisbon

The junior caught seven passes for 165 yards and two TDs in a 28-12 win.
BY ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LISBON -- If only Jordan Wrask had stayed in the Lisbon school district, things might have been different for the Blue Devils' football team Friday night.
Instead, Wrask, who attended Lisbon schools through fourth grade before moving to the United Local district, suited up against his old friends and played a big part in his team leaving town with a victory.
The junior hauled in seven catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Eagles (4-4, 3-2) dealt Lisbon (5-3, 1-3) its third straight loss, 28-12 at War Memorial Stadium.
"There's nothing better than this," Wrask said. "I used to go to Lisbon so it makes this win a lot sweeter -- especially because they are our rivals. We really worked as a team tonight and proved that we can hang with the best teams in the [Tri-County League]."
Career game
United quarterback Bryan Phillips had a career game, throwing for 218 yards, connecting on 12-of-19 attempts. He tossed three touchdown passes, including two to Wrask.
"We've just been getting better and better each week," United coach Jeff Sharkey said. "Since the Columbiana game, our defense has gotten stronger and things have been progressing.
"This is the best we've thrown the ball all year and things just clicked. We had a great game plan and of course any time you play Lisbon, you are emotionally ready. It was a great win for us and gives us some confidence going into the Crestview game next week."
Lisbon elected not to play a free safety against the Golden Eagles, instead guarding against United's bruising running game. Phillips and Wrask took advantage early and often.
"This was a blast," said Phillips. "There's nothing better than beating your rival. Our offensive line stepped up big time and coach trusted me to throw the ball more tonight and we just made big plays."
Smith injured early
Things went awry for Lisbon from the start. On Lisbon's opening possession, quarterback Corey Smith was injured on a keeper on the third play from scrimmage. He left the game with a leg injury and never returned.
"Smith being out really hurt them I think," said Sharkey. "The backup can throw the ball pretty well, but he can't run quite as well as Smith."
Steve Tsilimos replaced Smith and did an admirable job, completing 13-of-27 for 182 yards and a touchdown.
After United scored first on a 1-yard run by Tarik Solomon, Lisbon cut the deficit to 8-6 when Tsilimos hit Aaran Hochman for a 20-yard touchdown.
But United scored with 16 seconds left in the half with a 14-yard pass from Phillips to Brandon Kekel to take a 15-6 lead at intermission.
Key touchdown drive
The Golden Eagles really put Lisbon in a hole at the start of the third, needing just two plays to strike again.
Phillips found Wrask running free over the middle for a 64-yard scoring strike. That gave United an insurmountable lead of 22-6.
"That play was huge because we saw some of their heads drop after that," said Phillips.
"We knew then that we were in good shape and could hang on to beat them."