SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va — Jacob O’Dell rushed for 259 yards on 29 carries as Nicholas County (11-0) rolled into the Class AA quarterfinal round with a 41-10 win over Petersburg.
The Grizzlies used a balanced offensive attack, scoring three touchdowns in each half. They await the winner of Saturday’s Weir/Poca contest. Nicholas will host a second-round game for the first time in school history.
O’Dell scored on touchdown runs of 22 and 12 yards in the first half. He added a 66-yard scoring run on Nicholas’ first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. “He really stepped his game up quite a bit,” said Nicholas County head coach Gene Morris. “I thought he made some fantastic cuts. They did a great job of stifling the middle and he was able to bounce that thing out and get some big plays for us.”
Senior quarterback Jared Sagraves tossed three touchdown passes. Kyle Groves’ 48-yard reception gave the Grizzlies a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Luke LeRose reeled in a pair of scores in the second half. “We want to stay balanced and I think that is the key,” Morris said.
“People just can’t load up and stop one aspect of our offense. To me, being able to throw the ball and to be able to run the ball successfully, and when you want not when they dictate, is extremely important in the playoffs.”
The Nicholas defense finished the game with six sacks and held the Vikings to their lowest point total of the season.
PHS’ lone touchdown came in the third quarter as Jacob Hartman found Peyton Sindledecker in the end zone on a 5-yard hookup. Petersburg, who was making their second playoff appearance in school history and their first in 25 years, ends their season with a 7-3 record.