Wheeling Central Rolls to 58-9 Victory
Knights Celebrate Senior Night in Grand Fashion
WHEELING -- It was the ideal confidence booster for Wheeling Central.
The Maroon Knights, coming off successive losses to Fort Frye and Martins Ferry and losing star quarterback Curtis McGhee III in the process, unloaded on Paul Public Charter School by the tune of 59-8 at rain-soaked Wheeling University Saturday evening.
The lopsided outcome helped the Maroon Knights celebrate Senior Night in grand fashion while also honoring the school's 1979 WVSSAC Class AA state football championship team -- the first in school annals.
The game took on blowout status from the outset.
The hosts put up 33 first-quarter points en route to a 59-0 halftime advantage.
Both schools agreed to shorten the third quarter to eight minutes with the final period being played under mercy-rule standards.
The win was the fifth against three losses for Coach Mike Young's squad. The Maroon Knights will have a short week of preparation as they host St. Clairsville Thursday night. Central closes the season against Magnolia.
Washington, D.C.-based Paul Public Charter School fell to 1-6-1 on the campaign.
Young substituted liberally as his reserves received extensive playing time, as early as the second quarter. The Maroon Knights rushed for a whopping 414 yards distributed through 11 different ball-carriers.
Central attempted just two passes all game. Senior quarterback Jacob Rine completed both throws for 35 yards and one TD.
The Maroon Knights jumped out to a 20-0 lead just seven minutes into the contest, courtesy of three Adam Murray touchdowns.
The senior star scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards, respectively, before hauling in a 24-yard pass from Rine.
Junior dandies Jordan Waterhouse (1 yard) and Payton Marling (13 yards) added scoring bursts to make it a 33-0 lighting after one chapter.
The Maroon Knights tacked on four more second-quarter touchdowns.
Senior ace Jalen Creighton scored on a 7-yard run followed by a 16-yard burst from Braxton Anderson to up the margin to 45-0. The final two Maroon Knight scores came via an 18-yard burst from Ethan Turner and a 16-yard sneak from backup quarterback Michael Toepher.
"We needed this after losing Curt, and we did not bring our "A" game against Martins Ferry. That is nothing against Ferry," Young said.
"I like what we did (Saturday) I like how we came off the ball and how we executed.
"We got out of the gate early and played hard.
"Hopefully this helps prepare us for our game Thursday with St. Clairsville. A lot of kids got quality minutes and we got out injury free. So that is a good thing."
Waterhouse continues to impress as the season plays out. The hard-running 175-pounder collected 117 yards on the ground on just five carries.
Watkins, a 148-pound freshman slasher, was next with 55 yards on just three carries.
Marling ripped off 46 yards on two rushes while sophomore Andrew Johnson netted 42 yards on only three attempts.
The Pirates averted a shutout when Darrion Herring scooped up a Maroon Knight fumble and raced 38 yards to paydirt with just 1:36 remaining in the contest.
The swarming Maroon Knight defense held Paul Public Charter to just 41 yards in total offense, 30 of which came on the ground.
"I want to thank everyone who came out tonight to honor our 40th anniversary state title team," Young said.
"It was a great accomplishment on their part. I just wish we had a better night weather wise for them."