photo by: Kim North

Wheeling Central quarterback Nico Kusic (2) throws a pass while Barnesville’s Trey Toliver applies pressure Thursday night at Wheeling University’s Bishop Schmitt Field. The Shamrocks ran for 416 yards on 40 carries in a 43-14 romp over the Maroon Knights.

WHEELING – Leading 14-0 at the half, Barnesville scored on all four of its third-quarter possessions Thursday night in pulling away from Wheeling Central on the artificial surface at Wheeling University’s Bishop Schmitt Field.

The Shamrocks (6-1) ran the ball 40 times for 416 yards and six touchdowns in their 43-14 domination of Wheeling Central. The win came after their 41-game regular-season winning streak was halted 17-14 last week by George Washington from the Charleston area.

“I thought the first half was kind of a carryover from last week. We were beat up this week in practice … our guys were hurting because we went to war last week,” Allen said. “We were a little sluggish but I thought our guys responded and we made some good adjustments after halftime. I think we showed what we are made of in the second half.

“I wasn’t worried one bit about how these guys would respond to the loss last week,” Allen added. “They are winners. We showed that tonight.”

Ironically, it was the Shamrocks’ defense that turned the tide in the third quarter. On Wheeling Central’s fourth play, Barnesville linebacker Hines Ford stepped in front of a Nick Kusic pass at midfield and returned it 48 yards to the Maroon Knights’ 2. He found the end zone on the next play and quarterback Cole Francis found Phoenix Graham for two points and a 22-0 lead.

Wheeling Central got on the board moments later when Kade Korneos broke loose on the right side and rambled 74 yards to paydirt. Clay Petry’s PAT cut the deficit to 22-7. Ford was injured on the play and did not return.

“We played a pretty good first half, but we lost to the better team,” veteran Wheeling Central head coach Mike Young said. They get off the line really quick and they block well.”

However, that would be as close as the hosts (3-3) would get as Barnesville reeled off 21 unanswered markers. Trey Toliver capped a 72-yard drive with a 1-yard dive into the end zone. Koby Jones bulled in from 8 yards out and backup quarterback Evan Wells went in from 5. Luis Garcia added all three PATs and finished the night with five.

Toliver and Jones both eclipsed the 100-yard barrier as they finished with 140 and 138, respectively. Jones had an 83-yard sprint to make it 7-0 and Toliver capped a 99-yard drive with a 5-yard burst.

“Our offensive line completely dominated,” Allen said. “I told the guys during the week that we had to control the line, and we did on both sides.”

The offensive front included Mac Cacioppo, Braxton Byers, Christien Hannahs, Dillon Lucas and Gavin Morris, while the defensive front consisted of Lucas, Kaiden Berry, Hannahs and Morris.

“I can’t say enough about those guys. They don’t get much credit in the press, but tonight they earned it.”

In addition to Toliver and Jones, Wells picked up 90 yards on just five carries.

“He’s a weapon,” Allen noted. “We’re trying different ways to get him involved in the offense.”

Koroneos finished with 15 carries for 142 yards.

“Credit to their tailback,” Allen said of Koroneos. “He’s a really good player.”

The Maroon Knights other score came when Kusic scrambled in from 49 yards out late in the fourth quarter.

Barnesville wound up with 470 yards of total offense compared to 323 for Wheeling Central. The Shamrocks also moved the sticks 21 times to just eight for the Maroon Knights.

The Shamrocks continue their West Virginia schedule next week as Linsly invades Shamrock Stadium for Homecoming. Wheeling Central is idle until Martins Ferry visits two weeks from last night.