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Patriots Are Lighting Up Scoreboard

Photo by Alex Kozlowski Kenya Robinson (8) and Wheeling Park have been lighting up the scoreboard this season.

WHEELING — When Wheeling Park steps on the field, one thing is for certain: points are going to scored. The Patriots haven’t been shy to light up the scoreboard this year as they have averaged just over 50 points per contest in their first four games. They put up 66 against Brooke, 34 against Taylor Allderdice, 45 on University and 56 against Cambridge.

“I just think we have a bunch of guys working together, honestly,” Daugherty said. “There’s 11 kids on the field and all 11 are living for each other. They’re trying to make sure we get four to five (yards) and that’s important. One guy steps away from the 10 and try to make a big splash play and you’re playing without the full team. I think these guys care about each other. They don’t care who gets the credit, they care about that. The wide receivers know they’re going to block a ton and they will make a couple of plays and big catches.”

Alex Dunlevy has been a dual threat for Wheeling Park at quarterback. Going into last week’s game against Cambridge, he had completed 75.8 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. The junior kept piling them on going 10 of 14 for 137 and four touchdowns to four different receivers.

“I think he’s is controlling the offense and controlling the game. He is picking and choosing when he runs and it’s an added feature we haven’t had necessarily.”

Another added feature for the Patriots is having multiple options at tailback. Kenya Robinson stepped in a vital role against University two weeks ago as Rapheal Bradley went down with a minor injury. All the junior did was set a school record for carries in a game while compiling 220 yards and a score.

He followed that up with a 194-yard and one score performance against Cambridge. He has totaled 577 yards this season and finding the end zone five times.

“Very happy with him and it gave us anther week to rest Rapheal (Bradley),” Daugherty said. “We think Rapheal will be 100 percent (this) week, so now we’ll be back to using two, maybe even three backs. That’s a big plus. Tailbacks are going to get banged up. If you feel like you have one or two more to go to, it’s a nice luxury to have.”

Even missing most of the past two games, Bradley still has 353 yards and two scores.

Even though his number has not been called on much, Steven Mitchell has been a great role player for the Patriots. Mitchell had 65 yards and a touchdown last week against the Bobcats and also a crucial score against the Hawks.

“He made some key first downs at the end to control the clock and keep that clock moving,” Daugherty said. “He did that (against University) too. His number didn’t get called a ton of times, but when his number was called, he was ready, he made plays, he has great feet and good vision.”

Devaughn McWhorter leads the receiving core with 219 yards on 10 catches and five touchdowns. Jack Stakem, had hauled in 13 catches for 117 yards and one score.

While the skill players are putting up the points, the offensive line has been making sure its quarterback has time to throw and make running room for the tailbacks.

With left tackle Ronan Butts, left guard Ryan McCave, center Chase Mortakis, right guard Tristan Bittner and right tackle Cade Miller on the line, it makes the job easier for all their teammates.

“We would hope that would be the strength of our football team,” Daugherty said. “So far it has been. Hopefully that continues. But I’m sure we’ll turn on film and find something they need to do better.”

The Patriots also have three special team touchdowns along with a fumble recovery for a score on defense.

Offensive Player of the Week

Caleb Olson, Martins Ferry

Purple Riders running back ran for a staggering 311 yards and four touchdowns as the Purple Riders came back to defeat Harrison Central.

Defensive Players of the Week

Adam Murray, Wheeling Central

Was dominant as always with 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks — seven for loss as the Maroon Knights stayed undefeated in a victory over Fayetteville.

Tyler Smarrella, Indian Creek

Paced the Redskins defense with 20 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Ground Gainers

∫ Trevor Fante, Indian Creek: Redskins tailback rushed 24 times for 142 yards and a touchdown in a loss to St. Clairsville

∫ Matt Saxon, Paden City: The Wildcats earned their first victory this season behind the ground attack of Saxon (6-146-3 tds).

∫ Eli Petho, Linsly: Tailback was a workhorse against Morgantown, carrying 29 times for 142 yards and two scores.

∫ Cole Porter, Bellaire: Big Reds running back carried 23 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns in a victory against Buckeye Local.

Caleb Mitchell, Steubenville: Big Red running back tallied 119 yards and two scores in a victory over Pittsburgh USO.

∫ Kenya Robinson, Wheeling Park: Patriots tailback secured 194 yards and a score as Wheeling Park defeated Cambridge.

∫ Gavin Streets, Ethan Fluharty, Valley: Streets tallied 254 yards and two touchdowns while Fluharty secured 119 and a score as Valley defeated Beallsville.

∫ Brady Kolb, St. Clairsville: Red Devils running back was a bruiser in a victory against Indian Creek, rushing 28 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner late.

∫ Andrew Ritchea, Cameron: Dragons standout compiled 152 yards on 15 attempts and found the end zone three times in a victory over Madonna.

∫ Tyler West, Tucker Coultrap, Harrison Central: Coultrap had 113 yards and two touchdowns while West tallied 105 and one score for the Huskies.

∫ Donavan Kirby, Weir: Ran the ball 26 times for for 178 yards and three scores as the Red Riders defeated Petersburg.

Aerial Attack

∫ Wyatt Hirt, Linsly: Cadets QB threw for 292 yards and two scores in loss to Morgantown.

∫ Anthony Coggins, Shadyside: Tigers quarterback continued his solid season with 161 yards passing and two touchdown passes in a victory against Shenandoah.

∫ Cameron Rice, Morgantown: Mohigans signalcaller threw for 150 yards and a score in overtime thriller against Linsly.

∫ Stone Thompson, River: Pilots quarterback threw for 149 yards and two scores, while throwing two touchdowns in a victory against Caldwell.

∫ Alex Dunlevy, Wheeling Park: Went 10 of 14 for 137 and four touchdowns as the Patriots stayed unbeaten.

∫ Nick Chaney, Oak Glen: Golden Bears quarterback had 170 yards passing and three touchdowns.

∫ Logan Williams, Brooke: Threw for 123 yards on 10 completions and two scores.

∫ Caleb Leasure, Toronto: Red Knight quarterback tossed 122 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Leetonia.

∫ Kobe Mitchell, Harrison Central: Huskies QB threw for 141 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Martins Ferry.

Good Hands Team

∫ Trevin Tush, Linsly: Wideout grabbed seven passes for 160 yards against the Mohigans.

∫ Caden Dalton, Harrison Central: Wide receiver hauled in four passes for 128 yards and a touchdown against Martins Ferry.

∫ Camden Bates, Brooke: Caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving core for the Bruins.

Mr. Everything

∫ Mike Shreves, Paden City: Wildcat rushed seven times for 126 yards and a score, while also making 12 tackles in beating Hundred.

∫ Cal Kildow, Union Local: Jets quarterback threw for 80 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 28 times for 144 yards and a score in helping Union Local snap a two-game skid.

∫ Mike Johnson, Carter Dennis, River: Johnson scored four touchdowns against the Redskins, two each rushing (18-69) and receiving (3-44). He also added six tackles and an interception. Dennis grabbed seven catches for 105 yards, rushed for a touchdown and on defense combined for 14 tackles, half a sack and a fumble recovery.

∫ Mark Rucker, Tyler Consolidated: Rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown while also recovering a fumble for a score to help Tyler Consolidated beat Wirt County.

∫ Curtis McGhee III, Wheeling Central: Maroon Knights’ signal caller rushed for 98 yards and threw for 137 and two scores as Wheeling Central remained undefeated.

∫ Devaughn McWhorter, Wheeling Park: Hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass, took a 90-yard kick return to the house and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score for the Patriots.

∫ Anthony Coggins, Shadyside: Tigers signal caller passed for 173 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 60 and a score in a victory over Shenandoah.

Wrecking Crew

∫ Cody Allan, Shane Zrinyi, Richie Gualtiere, Indian Creek: Allan secured 14 tackles, two for loss while Zrinyi had 13 with a pass breakup and Gualtiere had 11 stops.

∫ Bryant McKay. Paden City: McKay paced Wildcats defense with 16 tackles against the Hornets.

∫ Bastian Gehrer, Stephen Snyder, Jules Giovengo, Hunter Kelley, Thomas Aronokhale, Linsly: Snyder made 12 tackles while also causing and recovering a fumble. Gehrer also made 12 tackles, followed by Giovengo (11) and Kelley (10). Aronokhale had an impressive night along the offensive line, while also making six tackles and a sack.

∫ Noah Trubiano, Kyle Storer, St. Clairsville: Trubiano make 15 tackles, two for a loss, and broke up a pass. Storer recorded 10 tackles, one for a loss, and forced two fumbles against the Redskins.

∫ Baron Vogrin, Wheeling Central: Tallied an impressive with 10 tackles, two for loss.

∫ Chas McCool, John Marshall: Monarch combined for 10 total tackles in loss to Parkersburg South.

∫ Heath Rosen, River: Pilots defender combined for 11 tackles in Friday’s victory.

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