Oak Glen Beats Rival Weir In Emotional Season Opener
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NEW MANCHESTER -- It was an emotional win for one of their own.
The Oak Glen football team, saddened by the tragic death of one of its players -- Carter Pesacreta to an off-road vehicle accident last Friday -- channeled all of its efforts to honor their teammate in memory while posting a 35-0 running clock victory against rival Weir on Thursday night in the Bears' Den.
"The boys came out excited," said Oak Glen head coach Derrick Stickles. "You know it's one thing to be here to play for a rivalry, but it's another thing to be here to play for one of your teammates. These kids really showed a lot of resilience this week. I'd be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I didn't know how these kids were going to react to the things that were happening, but they did a great job and showed up every day and did what they needed to do."
Before the game, a moment of silence was held for Pesacreta. His parents were in attendance and were presented with a memorial banner honoring their son. The banner was signed by the Oak Glen football team and members of the student body.
"It feels great (to win the game in Pesacreta's memory), we know he's with us and he's going to be with us (in memory) every step of the way," said Stickles.
With the triumph, the Golden Bears retained possession of the Carl Hamill (traveling) Trophy. Thursday's game marked the 62nd historical meeting between Oak Glen and Weir, a series which dates back to 1965. The Red Riders hold a 40-22 lead in the series, but Oak Glen has now won the last two meetings, including last year's 32-14 triumph.
"We didn't do the little things," said Weir first-year head coach Chris Hill. "Football is simple -- we didn't align right at times and we didn't keep our eyes on our keys and we didn't communicate on the offensive line, and all those little things add up."
The win wasn't the first for Golden Bears head coach Stickles, but it was his first coaching win at his alma mater of Oak Glen where he was a former player.
"It feels great, this is something I've been looking forward to for a long time," said Stickles. "Whenever I took the job I didn't know when that first win would come but it feels good for it to be against Weir."
On the field, Oak Glen responded quickly and wasted no time setting the tempo. The Golden Bears marched 71 yards on their opening drive and capitalized on an 18-yard scoring pass from quarterback Maddox Bowen to wideout Cameron Carter. Chase Hartung added the PAT at the hosts led 7-0 at the 6:03 mark of the first quarter.
Before they were through, Oak Glen scored on three-of-its four first-half possessions and out-gained the Red Riders 213-83 in the opening 24 minutes.
The Golden Bears added two second-quarter touchdowns. The first was set up by a fumble recovery by Oak Glen's Jacob Everett at the Red Riders' 31. The Golden Bears converted the turnover when Bowen found Carter with a 14-yard scoring aerial on a slip screen. Hartung added the PAT and the hosts took a 14-0 lead with 8:39 left before the break.
Bowen ended the evening throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
"Man it feels great (to win the rivalry)," said Bowen. "I love coming here with my guys and competing. One of my goals (this year) is hosting a playoff game."
"He's a great young kid," praised Stickles of Bowen. "He does a lot in the offseason to get him where he is now."
Oak Glen added its third score of the first half when it drove 41 yards and found the end zone on a 10-yard bolt up the middle by Everett with 2:05 left before halftime. Hartung closed the second-quarter scoring with a successful PAT boot and the Golden Bears took a 21-0 lead at intermission.
Oak Glen's defense was successful in stopping Weir's run-dominated offense in the first half. The Red Riders had just 32 yards rushing at the break and finished with 116 yards on the ground for the game.
"That's what we've been preaching for four weeks -- if we do the little things we can get rolling. If we don't we're going to struggle," said the Weir head coach.
Meanwhile, Oak Glen's offense was led in the first half by Everett with 74 yards rushing on six carries, quarterback Bowen, who was eight-of-12 for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those scoring passes went Carter who had three catches for 53 yards and two six-pointers in the first two quarters.
The Golden Bears scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter, marching 53 yards and scoring on Everett's one-yard plunge over right guard. Hartung added the PAT kick and the Golden Bears went up 28-0 with 1:00 left in the third quarter.
Oak Glen added an early fourth-quarter score, capped by another one-yard scoring run by Everett, his third score of the night. Hartung added his fifth PAT boot and the hosts led 35-0 with 10:56 left and started a running clock.
Despite the setback, Hill praised his team for its determination and knows they will continue to improve.
"They battled every play," he said. "And those are positives. Those are the things we're doing to get the culture at Weir High back to where it is."
NOTES:
...A benefit spaghetti dinner in memory of Carter Pesacreta is slated September 3 from 5-8 p.m. at the Chester American Legion. The cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children under 12. All proceeds go toward helping the family with expenses.
...Oak Glen returns to action next Friday night when it travels to Hannibal, Ohio to play the River Pilots.
...Weir, which plays its first three games on the road, travels to Moundsville next Friday and will go up against John Marshall at Monarch Stadium.