Lycoming vs Widener - Expect the unexpected!

2013 File Photo from LycomingFootball.com

Williamsport, PA - After a disheartening loss to Susquehanna 38-7, the Warriors are focusing their energy on Widener and improvement. Wider is coming off a 41-34 loss to Rowan in overtime. Now, about the Susquehanna U. game. Many including me believe the game against the River Hawks was an anomaly. This is not the team we watched in scrimmages against good teams. So I think the main goal of the coaching staff is to make these talented young men believe in themselves.


After analysing Widener verses Lycoming games over the past 25 years (See Below), there is one thing I have come to expect. That is "Expect the Unexpected!" I have seen 21 of them. There have been classics in Philadelphia including two overtime games which we lost by one point and six points. When you add up all the points for each team over those years, Widener has a one touchdown (6 points) advantage. It is a rivalry that surpassed the river rivalry with Susquehanna. Lycoming has shutout Widener only one time over those years while Widener has managed two shutouts. Finally, Lycoming holds a 13-12 lead in wins over the period.

But lately, the Warriors have not fared very well. Over the last ten years, Lycoming has lost six of those games by a total margin of 41 points. Our last win over Widener was in 2013 with a point differential of 75 points during those for games. And what I see is games that have turned out a lot different than you would have expected.  I am into statistics and you can look all you want, but I believe they really don't mean anything for this game. It is a new year, a new day and a new game. And just maybe, this year when many are picking Lycoming to lose this game in West Chester by a handy margin, they will be very surprised.

We think a different team will be getting off the bus in Pride territory. Lycoming has plenty of pride also and a great legacy in football. This year, Lycoming has plenty of talent. They have a good coaching staff who work as hard as anyone in the league preparing the team each week. But coaches don't suit up for any game. It is each player that has the attitude of "not letting my teammates down" that will make the difference. We think these young men have what it takes to "Expect the Unexpected!"

So watch out for the fireworks in this game. They will happen. It is always an emotional game and the Warriors are sitting on the threshold of identifying their 2018 season early. We will see how far the team has come in one week. We will see how this team has handled some adversity. Have they moved on. "Expect the unexpected!" I repeat, "Expect the unexpected!"

Lycoming Vs Widener - The Last 25 Years
Year	Lycoming		Widener	W/L	Point Difference
2018
2017	17		31	L	-14
2016	21		24	L	-3
2015	7		48	L	-41
2014	17		34	L	-17
2013	16		14	W	2
2012	23		28	L	-5
2011	28		31	L	-3
2010	31		7	W	24
2009	28		16	W	12
2008	21		17	W	4
2007	16		14	L	2
2006	15		12	W	3
2005	7		15	L	-8
2004	0		7	L	-7
2003	45		22	W	23
2002	14		20	L/OT	-6
2001	0		35	L	-35
2000	49		50	L/DOT	-1
1999	30		0	W	30
1998	15		13	W	2
1997	19		17	W	2
1996	16		15	W	1
1995	16		15	W	1
1994	16		0	W	16
1992	28		16	W	12
Totals	495		501	W13 / L12	-6
** LYCOMING DID NOT PLAY WIDENER IN 1993