Several high ranked teams survived upset scares on Friday night as the 2009 regular season came to a close.
Class AAA’s top ranked team Brooke almost saw its undefeated season slip away as the Bruins were on the road at four-win Musselman. The Applemen led for most of the contest and came up just 1:46 short of pulling off the upset as the Bruins scored the late go-ahead touchdown to win 14-13. The Bruins turned the ball over four times and were pounded with 12 penalties for 140 yards.
With seven minutes remaining in the game it appeared like Brooke would, in fact, lose for the first time of the season as they trailed 13-0. But behind the throwing and running of quarterback Cotey Wallace, the Bruins were able to complete the comeback. Wallace scored the game winning touchdown on a six yard run and finished the contest completing 14 of 23 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown through the air. Overall, the Bruins outgained the Musselman offense 380 yards to 308. The win clinches the top overall seed in the Class AAA playoffs for Brooke.
In Class A, Parkersburg Catholic played excellent against fellow-Wood County team Williamstown. The Crusaders actually led at the break 14-7 behind an aggressive offense in the wildcat formation. Fifth ranked Williamstown tied the contest up in the third quarter at 14 apiece and eventually pulled away in the fourth to win 28-14. Senior running back Joe Palm scored the game’s final score, essentially clinching the game for Williamstown, on a 27 yard scamper. 12th ranked Parkersburg Catholic falls to 7-3 with the loss as the Yellowjackets improve to 8-2.
Also in Class A, sixth ranked Wheeling Central avoids the upset after trailing by 21 in the third quarter against Linsly. In the end, the Maroon Knights come away with the one point victory, 36-35, improving their record to 7-3.
The Northside Automotive game of the week was also in Class A this week as second ranked and 9-0 Madonna was on the road at 9-0 and fourth ranked Clay-Battelle. The Cee Bees used the energy of a loud home crowd to take the momentum early, pinning Madonna at its own two yard line early in the first quarter. The Cee Bees defense came up with the big play and picked up a safety to take the 2-0 lead.
Madonna, however, came firing back in the second quarter behind the rushing of quarterback Max Nogay. The senior led the Blue Dons to two second quarter touchdown drives as his team led at the break 14-2. Madonna added two more scores in the second half to close out the impressive road victory, 28-2. Nogay finished with 165 rushing yards, 68 yards through the air and four total touchdowns.
In Class AAA, Princeton needed a win and some teams in front of them to lose to slide into the backend of the playoffs. And things certainly went the Tigers way Friday night as Hurricane, Riverside and Robert C. Byrd all lost. The Tigers, meanwhile, dominated Woodrow Wilson 49-6, improving their record to 6-4. Princeton will have a lot of momentum heading into the playoffs as they’ve now won six straight after starting the season off 0-4. Junior Tevin Allen rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the Princeton win.
11th ranked Capital needed a strong second half effort to knock off winless Huntington. The Cougars trailed at the break 20-0. The second half, however, was a different story for Capital as the Cougars come from behind to win 28-20. Running back Keion Wright and receiver Melvin Allen both sat out Friday’s contest for the Cougars to rest for the playoffs. With Wright not in the game, Justin Cousins picked up 101 yards for Capital on the ground. The win improves the Cougars record to 6-4.
In the Battle for the Hatchet out of Jackson County, Ripley edges Ravenswood 10-7 in the two team’s 55th all-time meeting. The game was actually scoreless through the first three quarters. With 10:32 to go in the game Ripley’s Seth Hamric gave the Vikings the lead on a 24 yard touchdown run. The Red Devils Luke Corley, however, returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards inside the Ripley five yard line to set up a Chad Small one yard touchdown run to tie the game at seven apiece. Vikings kicker Justin Sorrell nailed the eventual 22 yard game winning field goal, however, with 2:47 to go in the game. Ripley improves to 8-2 as Ravenswood falls to 8-2.
In Class AA, 10th ranked Point Pleasant picks up a pivotal win over 12th ranked Chapmanville 48-20. In the win, senior Nate Roberts rushed for 265 yards and four touchdowns as the Black Knights improve to 7-3. Also in Class AA, fifth ranked Frankfort wins its ninth game on the year, edging Hampshire, 35-33.
Another note out of Class A, Tucker County’s Brendan Miller has a huge game against Phillip Barbour. The Mountain Lions won the game 48-22 as Miller rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns on the ground on 28 carries. The quarterback was also 2 of 6 passing for 32 yards and another touchdown. As a team, the ninth ranked Mountain Lions ran for 489 yards on the ground.
