photo by: Benjamin Powell

Wheeling Park quarterback Jay Bordas throws a pass against Morgantown on Friday inside Pony Lewis Field. Morgantown defeated the Patriots 28-7.

MORGANTOWN — What was built up to be a featured matchup instead turned into the all-injured bowl.

Top-ranked Morgantown High defeated No. 3 Wheeling Park, 28-7, Friday night inside Pony Lewis Field, but it was not the exact show that was anticipated.

“We had about 95% of our offensive production not close to being fully healthy,” MHS head coach Sean Biser said. “We were not where we needed to be tonight, but you still have to find a way to win.”

The Mohigans (6-0) did just that with backup running back Zaiiden Lockett rushing for 81 yards and two scores, while quarterback Maddox Twigg threw for 191 yards and two long touchdowns in the second half that broke the game open.

But, Twigg first ran out onto the field with a slight limp and was obviously not his usual self.

“Honestly, I was probably, like 70%,” he said. “I didn’t get much work in until Wednesday of this week. I had to get out there, though, because it was such a big game for us. I did what I could do.”

On the sidelines in this one was, possibly, the Class AAAA all-state backfield. Wheeling Park (4-2) played without star running back Brennan Wack, who pulled his hamstring last week against St. Clairsville (Ohio).

Morgantown High was without starting running back Isaiah Thompson, who did dress, but only went into the game as a long snapper.

Wack’s 1,205 yards and 17 touchdowns thus far were in shorts and a No. 4 game jersey on the Patriots’ sideline.

“I think both of these teams have aspirations beyond the regular season, but the regular season matters,” Wheeling Park head coach Chris Daugherty said.

“It’s like wrestling between what are you willing to sacrifice? Brennan is pretty good. We think he’s the best player in the state, but we decided to hold him out of this game for the future, knowing it might mean a loss.”

Daugherty said Wack will continue to be day-to-day.

“The second he feels like it’s good, we’re going to go,” Daugherty said. “At the same time, you don’t want to rush him. He’ll probably be a game-time decision again next week.”

For the Mohigans, who travel to No. 10 Martinsburg next week, Thompson’s big-play ability in the running game was missed, too. Morgantown High had just 39 rushing yards at halftime, but had a 7-0 lead on Lockett’s 1-yard run that came in the opening moments of the second quarter.

“Everybody was injured,” Twigg said. “We have players limping around. I wasn’t at full speed. Obviously their star running back not playing really hurt them. Not having Isaiah really hurt us. This definitely wasn’t the game most people were probably hoping for.”

While Twigg’s legs may not have been at full speed, his arm was still fine.

He connected with teammate Carter Cooper on a 48-yard swing pass for a touchdown on the first play of scrimmage in the second half.

With 5:53 left in the third, Twigg connected with Jayden Smalls for a 69-yard score that saw Twigg hit Smalls in stride about 30 yards down the field and Smalls took care of the rest.

“We tried to really limit what he did tonight,” Biser said of Twigg. “He said he felt fine, but I’m sure he’ll be sore (Saturday). I could have ran him tonight, but why would you? If he can stand there and sling it, let’s do that.”

The two scores gave MHS a 21-0 lead. Wheeling Park got on the board with Jay Bordas’ 50-yard touchdown pass to Tatum Justice with 7:24 remaining in the game.

Lockett finished the scoring with a 41-dash up the middle of the field for the final score.

“It kind of came down to those three big plays,” Daugherty said. “If we could have those back, who knows. It is what it is, so we’ll move on and get ready for next week.”

Isaac Sands filled in for Wack and rushed for 70 yards on 18 attempts. Nolan Yanchak added 55 yards on six carries. Bordas threw for 111 yards for the Patriots.

Smalls finished with 121 yards receiving on five catches for the Mohigans.

“We’ve used him here and there, but obviously we haven’t used him enough,” Biser said of Smalls. “You’ve got to be careful how you get him involved. We try to get him the ball in space instead of handing it off to him.”