Wheeling Central Rallies Past Purple Riders
WHEELING – The boys are growing up.
Wheeling Central's extremely youthful grid squad continued to exhibit its season-long maturation Friday night at the Dave Bruney Football Complex. The Maroon Knights rallied past Martins Ferry by a 22-16 count.
Central found itself trailing 16-0 at halftime as Coach Justin Kropka's Purple Riders turned in a sparkling effort over the initial two frames. The second half, however, was painted all Maroon.
It marked the second straight impressive win for Coach Mike Young's charges, as they routed Shadyside a week prior. In the process, Central evened its mark at 4-4 while keeping its WVSSAC playoff hopes alive.
The Maroon Knights next visit Harbor Creek (Pa.) Friday in a 6 p.m. start.
Martins Ferry, meanwhile, dropped its second straight in falling to 5-4 on the campaign. The Purple Riders, who are also steeped in youth, now must get refocused for their annual SPARKY clash with ancient-rival Bellaire at Nelson Field.
Despite the loss, Kropka's charges remain in solid shape for an OHSAA playoff berth as they entered the game sitting sixth in Division VI Region 23.
Central features a roster with only eight seniors and five juniors. However, those low numbers are buttressed by 32 gridders in the freshmen and sophomore classes.
The early-season growing pains experienced by the Maroon Knights are started to dissipate.
"We didn't do much right in the first half. We kept shooting ourselves in the foot," noted Young, who has guided the Maroon Knights to eight state titles. "But we said some things at halftime and made some adjustments.
"It was great to see our kids play through that adversity. They really played an outstanding second half," he added. "Our freshmen and sophomores are growing up. Hats off to Martins Ferry. They came out on fire and really played a good game."
The Purple Riders truly did start the game in impressive fashion.
Central took the opening kickoff and marched to the Purple 13. The Riders' defense was more than up to the task and took over on downs at their 32.
Three snaps later, Ferry found itself in the end zone.
Junior quarterbacking dynamo Ayden Ludolph and multi-talented classmate Alex Reese teamed on two pass completions, the second covering 28 yards for a TD. The same duo again connected on the extra-point try for an 8-0 Rider lead.
Ferry found itself back in business immediately as Central fumbled away the ensuing kickoff. The hosts needed just four plays to cover 41 yards for their second TD with Ludolph keeping it in from the one. Ludolph tossed to Reese for the two-pointt conversion, and the Riders were on top 16-0 with still 4:52 remaining in the opening quarter.
Central got a major break at the outset of the third quarter. Ferry took possession of the kick at its 31. As fate would have it, the Purple fumbled with Maroon Knight ace Eli Tucker covering at the Purple 18.
Three snaps later, hard-running sophomore Isaac Martin bulled in from the one. Tucker's PAT boot made it a 16-7 lighting.
Ferry was forced to punt on its next possession with Central setting up shop at midfield. On first down, Maroon Knight speedster Braden McWreath took a counter handoff and raced 50 yards to paydirt. Tucker again converted as the Knights drew to 16-14.
The next three series resulted in punts before Central took over at its 25 early in the fourth. The Maroon Knights, operating behind an efficient offensive line, ran the ball on eight straight plays with McWreath sweeping right end to reach the end zone from 21 yards out with 9:05 to play. Young opted to go for two and it paid dividends as junior quarterback Seth Cover located Noah Loy for a 22-16 Maroon upper hand.
Ferry had one final chance to pull out the verdict. After a punt and personal foul against the Maroon Knights, Ferry took over at its 43 with 5:59 remaining in the contest.
Ferry gained a first down and advanced to the Central 41. However a Ludolph completion was fumbled away with Tucker again recovering.
The Purple Riders would never get the ball back as the Maroon Knights were able to keep the sticks moving to kill the clock.
"It was really a great football game. Both teams competed well," Young said. "Our coaches did a great job and so did our fans. They really got behind us when the momentum started to change.
"We really needed this win. We couldn't afford a loss if we are going to make the playoffs," he continued. "I know Ferry is also a young team. Coach Kropka is doing a great job with them. They are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future."
McWreath and Martin were a lethal one-two rushing combination. McWreath carried 14 times for 131 stripes while Martin toted the leather 16 times for 91 yards.Senior J.J White also did some nice things on the ground, gaining 48 yards on seven attempts.
"We played an excellent first half. I thought our game plan was solid," Kropka said. "The start of the second half really helped to change the momentum of the game. We have to learn how to finish.
"We turned it over too many times and had too many penalties. That is a mark of a young team," he added. "The little things got us beat tonight. But these young kids have improved by leaps and bounds since the start of the season."
Ludolph was superb in a losing cause. He completed 14-of-23 passes for 188 yards. He also rushed for 37 stripes. Reese, who also was a defensive force, ended with three pass receptions for 65 yards.