Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Wheeling Park quarterback Brett Phillips, center, threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots down Musselman 34-7 Friday.

WHEELING — Some wins are just sweeter than others.

So be it with Wheeling Park football.

The high-octane Patriots of Chris Daugherty have posted some impressive victories this fall, including nods over St. Clairsville and Morgantown. Park, however, took it to another level Friday night at Wheeling Island Stadium, trouncing Musselman, the state’s No. 1 ranked team, by a 34-7 count.

As a result, the Patriots improved to 5-2 and will definitely give their Class AAA No. 13 rating a major shot-in-the-arm.

“I couldn’t be happier with how we performed tonight. We did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball,” Daugherty said. “We beat a very good team tonight. That is back-to-back wins against quality teams.”

The Patriots routed Morgantown 34-14 in their last start before having a week off.

Park held a precarious 13-7 halftime edge as the Applemen scored with just 30 second before intermission. The Patriots, however, dominated the second half in all aspects to win going away.

“They (Musselman) moved the ball pretty well in the first half, but they only scored once,” Daugherty noted. “We made some adjustments at halftime and our defense really stepped up. They played a really strong second half.”

The Patriots received stellar defensive efforts from a host of performers, spearheaded by senior linebacker Erick Brothers.

Offensively, the Patriots were nearly unstoppable, piling up more than 500 yards.

Wideout Jerrae Hawkins again exhibited why he is the target of NCAA Division I grid recruiters. The 155-pound junior, the state’s fastest prep athlete, hauled in nine passes for 221 yards and three TDs.

Quarterback Brett Phillips was equally as impressive. The senior standout completed 19-of-30 throws for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

Park displayed fine offensive balance, rushing for 210 additional stripes. Junior Zac Lydick led the ground attack with 88 stripes while senior Max Wiley added 71 yards. Phillips gained 51 yards and a TD on eight carries.

“Going into the game we knew Park was a really good football team. They lost to two very good Ohio football teams,” Musselman head coach Brian Thomas said. “They have a lot of weapons and they turned in some big plays on us. They are a top 10 team.

“We didn’t take advantage of some of our scoring opportunities, especially in the first half. Good teams have to finish drives and we did not to that tonight,” he added. “We will get better. I really like my team.”

The win is the first for Park in four games against the Applemen.

The Patriots drew first blood on their second possession of the night. Setting up shop at the Musselman 46 following a punt, the hosts needed just three snaps to find paydirt as Phillips teamed with Hawkins on a 43-yard scoring bomb. Aidan Forget added the PAT.

The Applemen’s failed to capitalize on a golden scoring opportunity midway through the second panel. The Eastern Panhandlers marched from their 14 to the Park 18 only to fumble away possession.

The Patriots subsequently put together an 8-play drive, capped by Phillips’ 1-yard TD plunge. The conversion kick failed, leaving the hosts holding a 13-0 advantage.

Musselman got on the board via an 11-play, 59-yard drive, climaxed by an 8-yard TD pass from Bayden Hartman to Brayden Miller with only 30 second left in the half. Jayson Gordon booted the game-tying PAT.

Park made it a two-score game again at the 1:05 lighting of the third period as Phillips found Hawkins for another six-pointer on an 18-yard slant pattern. Forget’s boot made it a 20-7 issue.

The Patriots added some breathing room as Phillips and Hawkins teamed up for their third score, this coming on a 15-yard pop pass. Forget’s PAT made it 27-6 with just over four minutes remaining.

The hosts added one more score after Isaiah Zelaski pilfered a Musselman pass at the Applemen 33. Phillips capped his brilliant night by spearing Keohn Stephens Jr. on a 13-yard connection.

Hartman completed 19-of-33 passes for 136 yards for the invaders. The Applemen gained 80 yards on the ground.

“I really like how we are playing right now. We have put together two strong outings in a row against two of the best teams in the state,” Daugherty said. “We need to keep getting better and stay focused. We still have some big games remaining.”

Park visits Brooke Friday.

At halftime, Lauren Nolte was crowned Wheeling Park Homecoming Queen.