BY C.J. RICKER
STATEWIDE — A couple of comeback victories highlighted week three of the high school football season on Friday night. In the Class AAA MetroNews Game of the Week, No. 5 Capital rolled the dice and scored on a two-point conversion in overtime to squeak by the Princeton Tigers, 29-28.
It was freshman running back Silas Nazario bringing Capital within two during regulation, 21-19, with 3:33 to go in the game with a nine yard touchdown run. From there, Tyrhee Pratt would sneak the two-point conversion in sending the game into overtime.
Princeton had the first crack on offense in overtime, and Tahj Sho-Johnson scampered in from nine yards out to give the Tigers a 28-21 lead. Capital answered with four yard score from Pratt, which was setup by a 21-yard burst from Nazario on the first play of overtime.
Capital head coach Jon Carpenter gambled and went for the win at home – it payed off as Nazario took a pitch from Pratt around the right side and scored, giving the Cougars the hard fought victory.
“I knew it was a win either way for us,” Carpenter said afterwards on MetroNews High School GameNight. “If we make it, we win. If we lose, I get fired and can go fish.”
Top ranked Martinsburg, meanwhile, took its talents to Pennsylvania to battle against State College, escaping with a 35-29 victory. With the game in doubt late in the fourth, Malique Watkins took a punt return deep into State College territory to set up the game winning score. On the ensuing drive, the Bulldogs scored with 43 seconds to go to preserve the victory for Martinsburg.
No. 2 Morgantown stayed perfect as well, with a 59-0 win over Parkersburg South. The passing attack was on display, led by tight end, Stone Wolfley who finished with six catches for 123 yards and two scores.
“We were all just in sync tonight, everything went great,” Wolfley said.
Chazzy Thomas continued his dominance on the ground with 13 carries for 161 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.
No. 3 Cabell Midland rolled to a 40-7 win over Parkersburg. The Knights had two running backs reach the century mark in rushing, in Kasey Thomas and Teran Barnitz. Thomas racked up 135 yards and two touchdown, while Barnitz turned in 150 yards and three scores.
University moved to 3-0, taking care of Brooke on the road, 44-21.
In Class AA, No. 2 Bridgeport bounced back from a loss last week with a 28-0 shutout of North Marion. Anthony Bonamico, had six carries for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Indians.
No. 3 Fairmont Senior traveled to Kingwood and left with a 55-12 victory over winless Preston.
No. 4 Keyser dropped to 1-2 on the young season with a 24-7 defeat against Fort Hill, MD.
In the MetroNews Game of the Week in Class AA, Robert C. Bryd took down Lincoln, 28-14. Running back Anthony Helm put up 128 yards on 28 carries to carry the Eagles in just his second career varsity start.
Ravenswood beat down Roane County 41-12, as the Red Devils tune up for a showdown with No. 1 Wayne which was Idle this week. Ravenswood was led by tight end Isaac Crow who had three catches for 95 yards and a score.
In Class A, No. 3 Wahama bounced back from its first regular season loss since 2009 – the White Falcons thrashed Eastern, Ohio 54-0.
No. 4 Greenbrier West took care of Independence easily with a 55-0 victory. After three games, the Cavaliers have only allowed a total of 65 yards rushing. Cory Cox paced West with 90 yards rushing and three scores.
Also, No. 5 St. Mary’s thumped Parkersburg Catholic 49-20, improving to 3-0. Clay Battelle pounded Bishop Donahue, 35-6 as the Cee Bees debuted their new stadium.
To see the complete MetroNews Scoreboard, click here.