Wheeling Park brimming with confidence ahead of showdown with Zanesville

WHEELING, W.Va. — As Wheeling Park walked off the field Setepmber 6 following its 36-33 loss to St. Clairsville (Ohio), Patriots’ coach Chris Daugherty wasn’t sure what the immediate future held.

Daugherty’s team had just fought back from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to nearly win. Yet at 1-1 and with five matchups remaining against Class AAA postseason qualifiers from a season ago as well as Zanesville (Ohio), Daugherty knew his team’s margin for error was small.

Over the last two weeks, the Patriots have given just the response Daugherty was hoping for in a 43-26 win over Hedgesville that was followed by last week’s 42-6 victory over University.

“They’re willing to fight through adversity,” Daugherty said. “We’ve lost some kids and it was a fast thing where we didn’t have time to kind of get everything thought out. We had to go into the St. Clairsville game without a couple moving pieces. (Running back) Rapheal Bradley was hurt and he’s starting to get healthy and looks a lot better. 

“We’re going to gain two players back. To see the team kind of bond, come together and keep battling and realize just because guys aren’t here, we don’t fold. We’re going to go out and play hard. I’ve been really happy with their mindset.”

At 3-1, Park is feeling good about its play as it braces for Friday’s matchup against Zanesville, who will bring a 4-0 record into their matchup in the Mountain State.

Daugherty isn’t shying away from the challenge the Blue Devils will present to his squad at Wheeling Island Stadium — the fourth time in five games the Patriots will play at home.

“It’s going to be a tough task for us,” Daugherty said. “They’re good. That’s probably the best team we’ve played to date, so we’ll see how we fare.”

But it’ll also be a test for St. Clairsville, which will have to contend with a Patriots’ offense that’s averaging more than 43 points per game and has scored at least 33 in all four contests.

Park quarterback Alex Dunlevy is playing at a high level and has a multitude of weapons to choose from.

“Dunlevy makes the whole thing go and he’s smart,” Daugherty said. “We put a lot on his table.”

Over the last two games, Dunlevy has thrown five touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores. Three of Dunlevy’s five passing TDs were to speedy wideout Shaheed Jackson, while Carson Namack and Steven Mitchell each hauled in a TD as well.

The aforementioned trio, as well as playmaking wideout Sincere Sinclair, are each juniors.

“Last year, some of our secondary and wide receivers were young kids and their talent didn’t always show,” Daugherty said. “Now as juniors, having that sophomore year to be on the field allows them to feel a little more comfortable. The game has slowed down for them. Even though they’re juniors, they’re playing like seniors.”

Toss in the improving health of Bradley, a powerful 205-pound senior back, along with the expected return of senior tailback Kenya Robinson, and opposing defenses have their hands full with the Patriots.

“They don’t care who gets the ball and right now, they’re all capable of making a play and that’s hard on a high school defense,” Daugherty said.

An offensive line that was breaking in five new starters to begin the season is also progressing the way Daugherty had hoped it would.

“We felt like we had a good group coming, but they’re as green as this turf,” Daugherty said. “They’ve really come on, especially in the last two weeks. That’s been a big part of our success, too, how they’ve been able to play.”  





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