×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Silver Knights Are on a Roll

Tyler Consolidated has won three straight

Photo by Scott McCloskey Tyler Consolidated’s Mark Rucker (14) and Gage Huffman celebrate after the Silver Knights scored a touchdown during its game against Webster County.

MIDDLEBOURNE — When a team starts 0-2, it is hard to keep a positive mindset. While making the playoffs is already at a small percentage early in the season, there’s little room for error. For Tyler Consolidated, it has challenged itself after its missteps. And the Silver Knights have seemed to find a stride.

After dropping the first two games of the season, Tyler Consolidated has reeled off three straight victories over Calhoun County (47-7), Wirt County (63-6) and Webster County (49-42).

“We started out 0-2 and the kids could have went in either direction right there. We evened our record at .500. And that’s why this game was so big for us (last Friday),” Tyler Consolidated coach Ryan Walton said after the victory over Webster County. “To get out of that hole below .500. We got a little momentum going and we’re going to need some momentum against Williamstown. We got to shore up our defense for sure.”

While the defense did show its struggles, it did show signs of life. After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, the Silver Knights defense forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. On the next Highlanders possession, Tyler Consolidated picked it off that set up a score.

However, the Silver Knights offense has been clicking on all cylinders as they’ve scored more than 40 points for the past four games.

“Offensively, we’ve been OK,” Walton said. “That can change within a week. Who knows? You never know what will happen. But the offense does a good job. But it’s the defense that we got to get straightened up, and we’re working at it. Myself and the coaches will get back at it and coach them up.”

Mark Rucker, who is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign, is again a force in the backfield for the Silver Knights. He has compiled 608 yards on 61 attempts and has found the end zone 11 times.

He broke the 200-yard barrier in his most recent outing against the Highlanders and scored four times.

Senior quarterback Griffin Phillips has been solid for the Silver Knights, as he has his whole career.

The dual threat has thrown for 530 yards to go along with five touchdown against one interception. He has also rushed for 355 yards and three scores.

Huffman is the leading receiver as he has caught 16 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

“That’s one thing about these guys. They’re not worried about who’s getting in the end zone,” Walton said. “Phillips is huge. He’s been here for four years and is just a good, all-around football player. And Rucker… Mark’s Mark. He just makes plays that kind of happen. I’m proud of the offensive line. We had a 200-yard rusher, but if the offensive line got close to 300 yards rushing, that’s huge for our offensive line. That’s something that they can hang their hats on.”

And rightfully so, the offensive line of George Tennant, Zac Haney, Jake Rice, Cody Klages and Jacob America helped the Silver Knights account for 328 rushing yards and five touchdowns last Friday.

The Silver Knights will look to make it four in a row as they hit the road to take on Williamstown on Friday. The Yellowjackets are on their own winning streak, winning five in a row after they dropped their season opener to Wheeling Central.

“We’ll definitely have our hands full with Williamstown,” Walton said. “We’ve been there year in and year out. We play them every year. And what you’re getting when you go to Williamstown is a hard-nosed team and guys that won’t quit. We’re going to have a good week of practice and we’re going to show up and see what happens.”

Offensive Players of the Week

Curtis McGhee III, Wheeling Central

Helped Central remain undefeated in a huge victory against Linsly in the Battle of Wheeling. The junior signalcaller went 7 of 10 for 150 yards and five touchdowns for the Maroon Knights while also rushing for 71.

Alex Dunlevy, Wheeling Park

The junior quarterback kept his impressive season going for the Patriots. Against Parkersburg, Dunlevy accounted for more than 300 yards as he went 15 of 22 for 259 along with five touchdowns. He also rushed for 73 yards on nine attempts and found the end zone once.

Defensive Player of the Week

Trace Sechrest, Bellaire

The Big Reds gave another solid performance Friday night as they remained unbeatened with a victory over a solid Beaver Local team. Sechrest led the defense holding the Beavers to seven points as he tallied 11.5 tackles (10 solo) and one tackle for a loss.

Ground Gainers

∫ Jaylon Addison, Bridgeport: Ran for 159 yards on five attempts and found the end zone twice.

∫ Cole Porter, Bellaire: Gained 124 yards on 27 attempts and scored two touchdowns in a victory over Beaver Local.

∫ Justin, Hartzell, Jayden Keeder, Steubenville Catholic: Hartzell ran for three touchdowns and 101 yards while Keeder secured 152 and a score as the Crusaders defeated Barnesville.

∫ Donavan Kirby, Sebastian Spencer, Weir: Kirby rushed for 196 yards and scored three times while Spencer was just as solid with 104 and two scores as the Red Riders defeated Union Local.

∫ Tayveon Crawford, Caleb Mitchell, Steubenville: Both had more than 100 yards rushing as Mitchell went for 114 and two scores while Crawford ran for a score along with 107.

∫ Brady Kolb, St. Clairsville: Running back continued a strong season for the Red Devils as he rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Harrison Central.

∫ Michael Johnson, River: Sophomore gathered 121 yards on 13 attempts and a touchdown in the Pilots’ loss to Shadyside.

∫ Justin Frohnapfel, John Marshall: Carried the ball 22 times good for 104 yards and three touchdowns as the Monarchs defeated the Panthers of Buckeye Local.

∫ Evan Schob, Fort Frye: Rushed for 110 yards on seven attempts and found the end zone once.

∫ Trevor Fante, Indian Creek: Rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns as the Redskins defeated Brooke.

∫ Andrew Ritchea, Cameron: ran for 188 yards on 13 attempts and two touchdowns as the Dragons defeated Paden City.

∫ Rapheal Bradley, Wheeling Park: After sitting out two games with a minor injury, the Patriots running back picked up where he left off running for 116 yards.

∫ Mark Rucker, Tyler Consolidated: Rushed for 204 yards and four touchdowns as the Silver Knights won their third straight game in a win over Webster County.

∫ Gavin Streets, Valley: Rushed for 112 yards and found the end zone twice in the Lumberjacks’ loss to Parkersburg Catholic.

∫ Ty Konchesky, Morgantown: Rushed for 118 yards and a score in the Mohigans’ loss to Musselman.

Aerial Attack

∫ Tate Dowler, Barnesville: Shamrock signalcaller passed for 266 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Steubenville Catholic.

∫ Cal Kildow, Union Local: Went 10 of 19 for 170 and a touchdown for the Jets.

∫ Anthony Coggins, Shadyside: Tigers quarterback threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns going 12 of 18 in the process.

∫ Kobe Mitchell, Harrison Central: Went 10 if 18 for 104 yards in a loss against St. Clairsville.

∫ Wyatt Hirt, Linsly: Cadets quarterback threw for 189 yards in a loss to Wheeling Central.

∫ Tate Engle, Fort Frye: Threw for 101 yards and three scores in the Cadets’ victory over Frontier.

∫ Sam Mazar, Indian Creek: The junior threw for 136 yards and one touchdown.

∫ Gage Yost, Brooke: Senior tossed a touchdown to go along with 162 yards in a loss to Indian Creek.

∫ Aidan Lucey, Cameron: Dragons quarterback went 10 of 13 for 211 yards and five touchdowns.

∫ Pat Mirandy, Magnolia: Blue Eagles quarterback completed 12 of his 19 passes for 170 yards and four touchdowns.

∫ Jackson Chaney, Oak Glen: Went 14 of 18 for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Bears secured a victory over Edison.

∫ Anthony Sinicropi, Edison: Completed nine passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats.

Good Hands Team

∫ Brandon Louden, Beallsville: Hauled in seven receptions for 67 yards against Bridgeport.

∫ Trevonn Ray, Bridgeport: Caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Cade Hannahs, Barnesville: Grabbed 11 passes for 173 yards and found the end zone once.

∫ Matt Bateman, Union Local: Compiled 105 yards on three receptions and scored once.

∫ Sam Merryman, Shadyside: Had four receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown.

∫ Logan Williams, Brooke: Hauled in five passes for 135 yards and crossed the goal line once.

∫ Travis Mickey, Cameron: Had four receptions for the Dragons with three of them going for touchdowns.

∫ Jack Stakem, Wheeling Park: The senior wide out caught seven passes for 158 yards and tallied two touchdowns.

∫ Sebastian Stickler, Magnolia: Was Mirandy’s go-to target as he hauled in seven passes for 131 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Mr. Everything

∫ Wyatt Reiman, Shadyside: Freshman ran for 94 yards and a score, had a touchdown reception and compiled 12 tackles on defense in the Tigers’ victory over River.

∫ Zach Grafton, Buckeye Trail: Rushed for two scores on 82 yards and also went 12 of 14 for 96 yards and threw a touchdown in the Warriors’ win over Stasburg-Franklin.

∫ Tino Kusic, Bridgeport: Bulldog quarterback went 5 of 5 for 155 yards and also ran for 164 and two scores in a victory over Beallsville.

∫ Griffin Phillips, Tyler Consolidated: Ran for 132 yards and a score along with passing for 80 and a touchdown for the Silver Knights.

∫ Jason Beisel, Magnolia: Sophomore running back rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown and also tallied a receiving touchdown.

∫ Anthony Robbins, Wheeling Central: The senior had three receptions, all going for touchdowns while intercepting two passes and made his presence felt in the back field for the Maroon Knights.

Wrecking Crew

∫ Jaylon Addison, Bridgeport: Compiled 10 total tackles including nine solo in a victory over Beallsville.

∫ Ayden Smolira, Union Local: Had 12 tackles, all solo and three tackles for a loss in a loss to Weir.

∫ Bastian Gehrer, Stephen Snyder, Linsly: Gehrer led the Cadets in tackles as he wrapped up 15 (four solo, one for loss) while Snyder went for 12 with two being solo.

∫ Jack Parry, Buckeye Trail: Came up big for the Warriors as he totaled 16 tackles (11 solo, 10 assists).

∫ Riley Leasure, Tyler Consolidated: Totaled 10 tackles to lead the Silver Knights defensively against Webster County.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today