Maroon Knights Not Overlooking Red Riders
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WHEELING -- Wheeling Central football coach Mike Young is being careful to not overlook his team's next opponent, Weir High, despite the Red Riders' 1-3 record.
"They have a nice-sized team, they're aggressive," Young said. "Their record doesn't show how good they are, I think they have a nice ballclub. They play aggressive defense and they move the ball offensively."
Weir will come into town to play the Maroon Knights (3-2) at Bishop Schmitt Field Friday, Central's third-straight home game. Like Young, Weir coach Frank Sisinni has nothing but respect for his opponent.
"A lot of credit goes to coach Young and his staff for what they have developed through the years," Sisinni said. "With the amount of wins and championships they have throughout the years, we know that they're always there in single-A for the state championship run and I don't see anything different in this year's team."
The Maroon Knights rebounded from two consecutive losses last week to defeat Man 49-21. Riley Watkins ran for 105 yards and a score and Lorenzo Ferrera added 75 more yards on the ground and his own touchdown.
"When you're dealing with Wheeling Central football, you know what you're going to get because it's the staple of the base offense they've been running for years," Sisinni said. "We have to get them out of their rhythm. We have to limit their possessions and get them off the field."
Central has also enjoyed the return of quarterback Michael Toepfer to the lineup. Splitting time with Payton Hildebrand, Toepfer threw for 150 yards and three touchdowns in his second game back.
"We feel positive about coming off of a good win," Young said. "We played hard against Man, put some points on the board and played some pretty good defense, that's what we've got to do this week too.
The Red Riders' lone win this season came in overtime against Indian Creek two weeks ago. In the victory, Corey Lyons ran for 105 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 51 more yards.
"Weirton plays a tough schedule, we can't take them lightly," Young said.
"We've got to get out of the gates early and stay on them."