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Wheeling Central Secures 1st Win

By BUBBA KAPRAL

Executive Sports Editor

WHEELING — It was gut-check time for Wheeling Centralon Friday night. Winless after two starts and facing a perennial Class A power, Coach Mike Young’s charges exhibited resiliency, toughness and a well-balanced attack en route to a 28-23 triumph over Williamstown on Bishop Schmidt Field on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University.

The win was a much-needed shot in the arm for the Maroon Knights. Dropping to 0-3 may have proven fatal to Central’s playoff hopes as it faces a gauntlet in its next four outings — Magnolia, Linsly, Shadyside and Martins Ferry.

”It was nice to get a win. We are not used to being 0-2. People forget how young a football team we are,” Young said. “But the kids have stayed focused and worked hard. They put forth a solid effort.”

The Yellowjackets are also in foreign territory. The playoff regulars are now losers of three straight after an opening-season win against Tyler Consolidated.

”I was happy with our performance. The last two weeks we haven’t competed well,” Williamstown coach Terry Smith said.

“But we were right there at the end against a great program. We have a lot of respect for Wheeling Central.”

After frustrating losses to Steubenville Central and East Hardy, the Maroon Knights owned the game thanks to a strong first half. The hosts didn’t board a point after halftime, but didn’t need any after building a 28-14 cushion.

Strong play by the Central offensive line ine enabled its many weapons to do damage.

Sophomore quarterback Curtis McGhee III enjoyed a coming-out party, sparkling both throwing and running. The talented signal-caller rushed for 141 yards on 24 carries and passed for 131 and two TDs.

”For a sophomore, Curtis handled himself very well,” Young said. “He made some big plays and showed a lot of poise. He has been nursing a bad leg.”

McGhee was complemented by a host of teammates. Hard-running senior Dawson Wear bulled his way for 113 yards on 17 carries while finding paydirt twice.

Speedy slotback Bray Price landed four passes, including two TD receptions covering 21 and 19 yards, respectively. Anthony Robbins hauled in four passes while executing some effective downfield blocking.

Williamstown took advantage of a Central turnover on the game’s initial possession to draw first blood on a 16-yard run by Donathan Taylor.

Central evened the score midway through the first quarter via a five-play 56-yard drive, capped by Wear’s 9-yard run. Jack Stryker’s PAT made it a 7-7 score.

The Maroon Knights took their first lead of the night on them strength of a 10-play, 77-yard drive. The elongated march was capped by Price hauling in a McGhee flat pass and scampering 21 yards to paydirt with 11:54 showing in the second quarter. Stryker again converted for a 14-7 Central lead.

The advantage was short-lived as Preston Mayer hauled in the ensuing kickoff at his 10 and raced virtually untouched for a 90-yard score. Boston Caruthers’ boot made it a 14-14 deadlock.

The Maroon Knights regained control on their next series.

Starting from their 35, the hosts used two McGhee runs and two completions to set up a 3-yard Wear scoring run. Stryker made it 21-14.

Central stretched its lead by mounting a 15-play, 62-yard scoring drive in the late stages of the first half. McGhee speared Price for a 19-yard score with Stryker making it a 28-14 halftime lead.

The Maroon Knights put together one serious scoring threat in the second half. A 13-play drive, however, stalled on downs at the Yellowjackets 6.

Although the final margin was five, the outcome was never seriously in doubt as Williamstown’s final score came with 2:12 remaining. The visitors were void of timeouts after an onside kick failed.

”I thought our line play was really key. We were missing Luke Lawrence and he is big for us on both sides of the ball,” Young said. “We showed nice balance on offense. We did the fundamental things we needed to do to win.

”We were hungry for a win but so was Williamstown. We are used to meeting them in the state finals. We got a tough stretch coming up now, but it is something we are looking forward to. It will make us a better team.”

The Maroon Knights play host to Magnolia on Friday.

”I feel if the game went another five minutes we would have won,” Smith said. “We just made too many mistakes. Some little things made a big difference.

”But it was good to see us play well and compete again like we did in our opener against Tyler. Hopefully, we can build on (this).”

Wheeling Central 28, Williamstown 23

Williamstown 7 7 3 6 — 23

Wheeling Central 7 21 0 0 — 28

Wi. — Taylor 16 run (Caruthers kick)

WC — Wear 9 run (Stryker kick)

WC — Price 21 pass from McGhee (Stryker kick)

Wi — Taylor 90 kickoff return (Caruthers Kick)

WC — Wear 3 run (Stryker kick)

WC — Price 19 pass from McGhee (Stryker kick)

Wi — Caruthers 35 field goal

Wi — Mayer 8 pass from Haynes. (Run failed)

Rushing: Williamstown 31-81-td (Amos 2-11, Taylor 15-68-td, Haynes 13-3, Moore 1-(-1)). Wheeling Central 46-256 (Kahle 4-7, Wear 17-113-2td, McGhee 24-141, Price 1-(-5)).

Passing: Williamstown 13-18-107-td-int (All by Haynes). Wheeling Central 13-20-131-2td-x. (All by McGhee).

Receiving: Williamstown 13-107-td (Amos 4-31, Taylor 3-18, Mullenix 1-1, Mayer 5-57). Wheeling Central 13-131-2td (Brown 3-32, Mangino 2-6, Price 4-40-2td, Robbins 4-43.

First Downs: Williamstown 13, Wheeling Central 15.

Fumbles: Williamstown 2-0, Wheeling Central 7-1.

Penalties: Williamstown 6-50, Wheeling Central 6-55.

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