Photo by Joe Lovell Wheeling Central’s Lorenzo Ferrera, center, runs into the endzone despite the best effort of Martins Ferry’s Baron Lucey, left.

WEST LIBERTY — After a five-hour jaunt to Mount View a week ago, Wheeling Central made a short road trip to the scenic campus of West Liberty University Friday night. The results were the same, however, another Maroon Knight rout.

Coming off a 53-8 shellacking of Mount View, coach Mike Young’s unblemished charges again flexed their potent offensive power. Central scored early and often in besting outmanned but improving Martins Ferry by a 60-22 count.

The Maroon Knights are now 6-0 on the campaign. They will play host to Carrick Friday.

The Purple Riders are in the early stages of a rebuilding process, but by some measures are ahead of schedule.

Justin Kropka inherited a 1-9 team with low numbers but has already posted three wins this fall. A fourth win is likely coming this Friday when the Riders visit hapless Lancaster Fisher Catholic.

Central’s lopsided win over the Purple featured a dominating rushing attack. The Maroon Knights used outstanding efforts from the dynamic duo of Riley Watkins and Lorenzo Ferrera to amass more than 400 infantry stripes.

Watkins carried 10 times for 179 yards and two TDs. Ferrera, meanwhile, turned his 10 totes into 174 yards and four TDs.

“I am proud of our team’s efforts tonight. We ran the ball very well,” Young offered. “Riley and Lorenzo both had big nights. That is a credit to the great job our offensive line did.

“Give Martins Ferry credit. They battled hard and did a nice job with their passing game,” he added. “Ferry is a much-improved team. They are really coming on. Coach Kropka is doing a great job with them.”

Ferry, making the most of Ayden Ludolph’s impressive passing, hung around for two-plus quarters.

However, the talented sophomore southpaw incurred a hand injury in the third quarter after his third TD pass which brought the Purple Riders to within 34-22.

“We faced a very good team tonight. They are tough to stop,” Kropka said. “Our kids gave me all they had. We just ran out of bodies.”

Central scored on the game’s initial possession. The Maroon Knights drove 50 yards on seven plays, capped by Watkins’ 13-yard scoring run. Eli Tucker boomed the PAT.

Ferry responded immediately. On the Purple’s first play from scrimmage, Ludolph and Baron Lucey teamed up for a 75-yard aerial scoring connection. Ludolph speared rising sophomore Alex Reese for the bonus points and an 8-7 Rider advantage.

Central needed just two plays to find paydirt after taking possession of the ensuing kickoff. Watkins broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown jaunt. The kick failed, leaving the hosts holding a 13-8 upperhand.

Ferrera set up the Maroon’s next score when he pilfered a Purple pass near the goal line and returned it to midfield.Two snaps later, Ferrera sprinted for 41-yard TD run. Tucker’s PAT made it 20-8.

Ferry responded with a 50-yard, 10-play march with Ludolph and Lucey again hooking up for the score, this pass covering 17 yards. Ludolph speared Landyn Hores for the bonus points, cutting the deficit to 20-16.

Central used a 44-yard Ferrera scoring run to regain the momentum. Tucker’s boot made it a 27-16 lighting.

Ferry drove to the Wheeling Central five-yard line in the final minute of the half. When the drive stalled, the Ferrians attempted a 22-yard field goal which misfired.

The Maroon Knights opened up some breathing room on their first possession of the second half. Quarterback Payton Hildebrand hit Ferrera with a three-yard pop pass for the score. Tucker again converted.

Ferry’s final score proved to be a costly one. Ludolph speared George Hulsey with a five-yard scoring toss to make it a 34-22 count with 3:36 left in the third quarter. Ludolph, however, incurred a hand injury and did not return the balance of the contest.

Central owned the remainder of the game.

Ferrera added TD runs of 59 and 13 yards while Braden McWreath scored from 25 yards out on a reverse. Freshman Wyatt Brady tacked on Central’s final six-pointer with a 10-yard run.

Ludolph was 9-of-20 for 173 yards to go with his trio of TD tosses.

“Ludolph is a very talented quarterback. He made some impressive throws,” Young said. “But our defense stepped up in the second half and did a much better job.

“I am happy with where our team is at right now. We are getting contributions from a lot of players,” he added. “We just need to remain focused and continue to get better.”

Hildebrand completed five-of-six passes for 25 yards. Senior Paxton Marling enjoyed a strong game from his defensive end post.

Sophomore Tev’n Williams was Ferry’s top rusher with 69 yards on 18 carries.

“We are making progress but we still got a long way to go,” Kropka said. “We did some good things tonight. We are going to be alright once we get more bullets in our gun.”

Wheeling Central 60,

Martins Ferry 22

Martins Ferry 8 8 6 0 – 22

Whg Central 20 7 20 13 – 60

WC-Watkins 13 run. (Tucker kick).

MF-Ludolph 75 pass to Lucey. (Ludolph pass to Reese).

WC-Watkins 54 run. (Kick failed)

WC-Ferrera 41 run. (Tucker kick).

MF-Ludolph 17 pass to Lucey. (Ludolph pass to Hores).

WC-Ferrera 44 run. (Tucker kick).

WC-Hildebrand 3 pass to Ferrera. (Tucker kick).

MF-Ludolph 5 pass to Hulsey. (Kick failed).

WC-Ferrera 59 run. (Kick failed).

WC-McWreath 26 run. (Tucker kick).

WC-Ferrera 13 run. (Tucker kick).

WC-Brady 10 run. (Kick failed).

RUSHING: Martins Ferry 39-147 (Williams 18-69, Lucey 6-7, Hulsey 1-0, Turner 5-40, Ludolph 4-13, Mahoney 1-7, Carte 4-11); Wheeling Central 25-423-8tds (Watkins 10-179-2tds, Ferrera 10-174-4tds, McWreath 1-26-td, Martin 2-38, Brady 1-10-td, Sands 1-munus 4).

PASSING: Ferry 9-23-173-3tds (Ludolph 9-20-173-3tds, Lucey 0-2, Shane 0-1;) Wheeling Central 5-6-25-td (All by Hildebrand).

RECEIVING: Ferry 9-173-3tds (Lucey 3-110-2tds, Williams 2-3, Hulsey 2-22-td, Ward 1-48, Hores 1-50); Central 5-25-td (Ferrera 4-21-td, Watkins 1-4).

FIRST DOWNS: Ferry 14, Central 12.

FUMBLES/LOST: Ferry 3/0; Central 2/1.

PENALTIES: Ferry 5-40; Central5-45.