Published on: Thursday, December 06, 2012

By Brandy L. Simms

BALTIMORE – Despite a season-high rushing performance from Quince Orchard senior Tyrell Williams, the Cougars suffered a 12-7 loss to Wise Friday night in the Class 4A state championship game at M&T Bank Stadium.

“I am proud of this team,” head coach Dave Mencarini said of the Cougars following the loss. “We fell short, but I told them I love them and their parents love them and the sun will rise tomorrow. This is a great team.”

Williams, who rushed for a game-high 182 yards and set up the go-ahead touchdown late in the second quarter, helped the Cougars take a 7-6 lead at the intermission.

With Quince Orchard trailing 6-0, the senior fullback took a handoff from quarterback Matt Choi and outran the defense for a 40-yard gain that set up D’Andre Johnson’s one-yard touchdown plunge with 1:04 remaining in the second quarter.

Quince Orchard (12-2) suffered its second straight championship game loss and fell to 2-2 overall in state title games.

Meanwhile, Wise (14-0) capped an unbeaten season and earned the school’s first ever state championship after two previous appearances in the state title game. Chase Powell, who rushed for 126 yards on 18 carries, scored on a four-yard run on Wise’s opening possession and tight end Micah Till caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Isaiah Black with 2:14 remaining in the fourth quarter to help lead the Pumas to victory.

On Till’s game-winning touchdown reception, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior outjumped a pair of Quince Orchard defenders in the end zone to make a spectacular grab.

“I was telling coach just give me the ball, and I am going to make a play,” said Till. “I told my seniors that I was going to get it for them, and I got it for them.”