MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Devin Gaines rushed for four touchdowns as Parkersburg South rallied to a 35-28 win over Morgantown at Pony Lewis Field. The Patriots remain one of three unbeaten teams in Class AAA at 7-0.
“Our kids are resilient,” said first-year Parkersburg South head coach Nathan Tanner. “The persevered through some trials tonight. They found a way to get it done.”
Both offenses were operating efficiently in the first half. The teams combined for 489 yards of total offense in the first two quarters. The Patriots jumped out to a 27-21 halftime lead on the strength of three touchdown runs from Gaines. The first covered 90 yards as Gaines broke several tackles in a scintillating run.
“I think I was just as excited as he was,” Tanner said. “I was running down the sideline with him. Devin is a great back. He played great tonight.”
Morgantown surged ahead on their first drive of the third quarter. Preston Fox scored his second touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run to give the Mohigans a 28-27 lead.
The Patriot defense however would not allow another point the rest of the way. Gaines scored his fourth touchdown on a one-yard run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter to give South a lead they would not relinquish.
“It was more of a mentality thing,” Tanner said. “We started executing on third down. In the first half, we let Morgantown off the hook several times. We dug our feet in in the second half.”
Parkersburg South quarterback Brandon Penn completed 7 of 13 passes for 88 yards. He also rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries. Dylan Day had 131 yards from scrimmage, including a nine-yard touchdown run.
Morgantown (1-7) suffered their fourth loss by seven points or less. Fox rushed for 73 yards, threw for 49 and caught four passes for 86 yards. Gunner Lattimore passed for 165 yards while rushing for 76 and a score. Deondre Crudup also rushed for a score.
“It is definitely tough,” said Morgantown head coach Matt Lacy. “But it is a credit to these guys too. We could have folded the tent earlier in the year. It is a testament to these guys that they haven’t. They are resilient. They have continued to have great weeks of practice. They are upbeat. We have had fun. We’ve got two left. I think it will be so rewarding because they have worked so hard when we finally do break through.”