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WHEELING -- For the second time in four weeks, Wheeling Park has lost a game due to COVID concerns.
This time, it's defending Class AA state champion Fairmont Senior which is unable to play, leaving the Patriots searching for a new opponent on short notice for this week's homecoming game.
Wheeling Park High School announced the following statement on Twitter.
"Friday night's football game against Fairmont Senior has been cancelled due to a COVID outbreak on the Polar Bear's team. We are working hard to find a replacement game and hope to know more by early afternoon (Thursday). We will hold ticket reimbursements until we are 100% sure there will be no game. In the event of no game, we will crown the Homecoming Queen at our dance and Homecoming Court parents are welcome to attend."
The Patriots are coming off a bye week and if they are unable to find an opposing team, it will be three of the last four weeks they have gone without a game.
"It's tough," Park coach Chris Daugherty said. "You get growth with mistakes. Then you practice and get those mistakes fixed but 13 days off is not fun. We want to get back on the field."
Those mistakes he is referring to came in a 35-14 loss to University two weeks ago when penalties haunted the Patriots.
"They were just mental mistakes," Daugherty said. "We have to limit them. If they beat us, fine. But, we don't want to beat ourselves. We had our share of those that put us in third-and-8 or third-and-12. We kind of hurt ourselves at times."
Although if Park is able to find an opponent, the good news is the bye week is out of the way and as long as there are no more setbacks due to COVID, the Patriots will have a chance to get into a rhythm late into the season.
"That's always the plan — to be the best Wheeling Park football team at the end of November," Daugherty said. "We certainly have a ways to go, though, and we have things to fix."
In Park's loss to University, quarterback Brett Phillips threw for 115 yards on 7 of 20 passing. He also ran 14 times for 59 yards and a score.
Will James had a strong game with four receptions for 67 yards and Hunter Dixon added 55 yards rushing and a TD on the ground.
Park playmaker Jerrae Hawkins was limited to one grab for 37 yards but he will be hoping for a chance to get back on track this week.