Wheeling Central Looks To Build On Shadyside Win
Western Reserve visits Knights on Alumni Weekend
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WHEELING -- These are good times for Wheeling Central football.
The Maroon Knights are coming off an exciting 31-27 last-minute come-from-behind win over Shadyside. Coach Mike Young's resilient charges drove 70 yards, using a 21-yard scoring pass from Curtis McGhee III to Jalen Creighton with 35 seconds left to pull out the victory.
The final TD pass capped another amazing performance from McGhee. The Brown University recruit rushed for 223 yards and four TDs. Junior ace Jordan Waterhouse, meanwhile, galloped for 140 yards.
All told, the Maroon rushed for 395 yards.
The Maroon Knights improved to 3-1. That is the same mark as this Saturday's foe, Western Reserve Academy. The Hudson-based Pioneers are coming off a 33-7 win over Valley Christian.
Central is also staging Alumni Weekend at Central Catholic High School. It will be highlighted by the Hall of Fame Banquet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, followed by kickoff at 1 p.m. at Wheeling University.
Central bounced back in impressive fashion after dropping a 31-7 nod to rival Linsly six days prior. The Maroon Knights opened the season with lopsided wins over Williamstown and Steubenville Catholic Central.
"Wheeling Central is a great team. McGhee is an incredible player and (Adam) Murray is great on offense and defense," Western Reserve coach James Moynahan said. "They have a lot of playmakers on the outside and their offensive line is well-disciplined and physical. On defense, they are physical and well-coached up front and they have great athletes in the secondary.
"Wheeling Central is a great program. They have great players and are really well-coached. It is a nice opportunity to play against the two-time defending state champions."
While Moynahan praises Central in glowing terms, he is also happy with his team's progress. The Pioneers' lone loss was a 27-10 setback to Kiski.
They have also defeated Garfield Heights Trinity, 33-20, and New London, 36-10.
"We have played hard and improved every week. Our offensive line has paved the way for our running backs Ogden Andrews and Darius McKenzie," Moynahan said. "Defensively, our secondary has provided excellent coverage while John Okeleke, Gavon Lawlor, Hunter Fitzpatrick and Roman Labrosse have gotten after the passer."
Andrews has rushed for 506 yards and 10 TDs this season while McKenzie has netted 406 yards and 6 TDs on the ground.
"We have had a lot of great games with Shadyside, win or lose. Their kids played great last Friday and (Kelly) Hendershot is one terrific player," Young said. "After the Linsly game, this win really was a boost to our morale and attitude. That is a tribute to our coaches and players.
"Western Reserve is very athletic with good size. They are able to put points on the board quickly. We need to make the most of every possession. They are primary a running team. They are capable of breaking it on every play as well as special teams. It is a very good program."
Central is in the midst of a most daunting schedule. If Linsly, Shadyside and West Reserve wasn't challenging enough in three successive weeks, the Maroon Knights will face unbeaten and last year's OHSAA playoff semifinalist Fort Frye next week on the road.
"We knew going in that we were facing a demanding schedule," Young said. "But we know if we can get into the postseason that we can make some noise."