Mohigans Next up for Patriots
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WHEELING -- The halfway point has been reached for West Virginia high school football. And after five weeks, Wheeling Park is sitting at a solid 4-1 record. After falling to St. Clairsville in Week 1, the Patriots have reeled off four straight victories. Most recently, Wheeling Park secured a well-earned victory against a pesky Oak Glen squad, 28-14.
"I thought Oak Glen did a nice job and they have a nice team," Wheeling Park coach Chris Daugherty said. "I thought we could have played a bit cleaner in the first half and we were playing cleaner and smarter football in the second half. Hopefully we can start off this week the way we played in the second half last week."
The Patriots' next matchup will be a familiar foe in Morgantown. However, with the coronavirus pandemic, the Mohigans will be playing just their second game this year. With Monongalia County being red on the West Virginia color-coded map forced sports to be put to a halt. With it being green this week, Morgantown is a full go for its second game.
In its first game last week, the Mohigans, under new coach Sean Biser, fell to Musselman, 42-9. The Mohigans were able to hang with the Applemen in the first quarter as the score was tied 7-7 after 12 minutes.
But Musselman scored 35 unanswered points to run away with the victory. Deondre Crudup's 39-yard rushing touchdown was the only offensive score for the Mohigans.
"We could only trade one game. They have a new coach and things are different all together, Daugherty said. "We played Coach Biser when he was at Biser. But it's going to be same old same old. They will have a big, physical and strong football team like they always do."
The Patriots offense has been clicking on all cylinders thanks to many offensive weapons. In his first year under center, Beau Heller has been solid as he has thrown for 1,064 yards with 14 touchdowns compared to two interceptions. He has completed about 72 percent of his passes (71 of 99).
Stevie Mitchell leads the ground attack for Park as he has averaged 134.4 yards per game, garnering 672 total and finding the end zone nine times.
On the receiving end, the Patriots have plenty of weapons. Shaheed Jackson leads the way with 404 yards on 24 receptions and six scores while Sincere Sinclair has 267 on 14 catches and three touchdowns.
Carson Namack has hauled in 18 passes good for 253 yards and three touchdowns.
Nate Shelek leads the defense with four interceptions along with 49 total tackles. Colton Thomas has 48 tackles (31 solo) and three TFL.
"We're going to have to at some level win the line of scrimmage," Daugherty said. "It'll be a handful. Our kids will have to battle and we will have to play well on the offensive line and defensive line. (Morgantown) is very good in both of those positions. We're going to have to match that physicalness."