Allentown, PA - October 26, 2024: In a chippy rivalry game, William Allen High School came from behind to defeat Louis E. Dieruff High School 20-14 in overtime at J. Birney Crum Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In the 68th meeting between the two teams, Dieruff took the early lead when junior running back Riyell Wann caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in the 1st quarter. Allen answered in the early minutes of the 2nd quarter when sophomore Jaylen Walker hauled in a 21-yard reception, the extra point however failed, 7-6. Dieruff then extended their lead with about a minute left in the half when Derwyn Deris caught a 22-yard touchdown pass. Dieruff went into the locker room with a 14-6 lead and the momentum.
In the 3rd quarter, Allen scored on a Teshon Gaynair 15-yard touchdown reception followed by a Jalil Johnson 3-yard run for the 2-point conversion, game tied 14-14.
Johnson started at QB for Allen and lined up in the wildcat formation for most of the game. If Johnson didn't run the ball, he handed it off to Kemahni Wimberly who rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries in the game. Johnson himself carried the ball 30 times for 156 yards. Johnson was named the game's MVP while Wimberly was Allen's offensive MVP.
The 4th quarter was a defensive battle, as well as being marred by penalties and mistakes, and both teams went scoreless.
In overtime, Allen got the ball first, and they continued to rely on their punishing ground game. Johnson then scored on an 8-yard run which gave Allen the lead but they left the door open for a Dieruff victory when they missed the conversion.
On Dieruff's possession, they struggled and it came down to a 4th and goal from the 15-yard line. Dieruff QB Jack Herter went for the endzone on a pass but it was intercepted by Allen's Juel Pyle and the game was over. The Allen win tied the series at 34-34.
The below photo shows Johnson (25) during a run in the 1st half.
