(Photos courtesy of Will Wotring/Malone Sports Media)
ELKINS, W.Va. — Four different players found the end zone for Elkins and the Tigers used a strong defensive effort to rebound from their first loss of the season in a 35-7 win over Grafton.
With the win, Elkins has already equaled their win total from the 2024 season with four regular season games remaining.
EHS (5-1) built a 21-0 halftime lead by scoring touchdowns on their final three possessions in the first half. Late in the first quarter, Nathaniel Sauerwein connected with Xavier Workman on a 38-yard touchdown toss. Logan Beam added scoring runs of 2 and 12 yards in the second quarter.
Grafton received the ball first in the third quarter and they found the scoreboard when Chace Kinsey broke free on a 40-yard touchdown run. Trailing 21-7 late in the third, GHS (1-5) had a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty. The Elkins defense held, preserving a two-touchdown lead through three quarters.
“That was huge,” said Elkins head coach Chad Ware. “I thought we came out a little flat to start the second half. But when our backs were against the wall, they really played well. That really turned all the momentum in the game.”
Elkins focused their running game in the second half on getting to the edges and Jaden Hatfield scored on an 11-yard run on fourth-and-4, extending the EHS lead to 27-7.
“We’re going to take what the defense gives us. They loaded up to stop the inside run so we went to the edge. I thought our guys did a good job of sustaining their blocks and springing us for some big games.”
Beam rushed for 128 yards while Hatfield racked up 124 yards. Anthony Sylvester capped the scoring on a 19-yard tote.
Workman had two receptions for 70 yards and he intercepted a pass at the goal line with two minutes to play.
“We want to throw it some and we have been working on it in practice. We were able to get Xavier a couple catches and he is a big playmaker outside. The more we can throw it, the more we can loosen teams up. It really opens up running lanes for our guys.”
Following a loss to Philip Barbour in Week 5, the Tigers will have back-to-back road trips to Marion County, visiting one-loss teams in North Marion and Fairmont Senior.
“Last week was tough. We had a good first half last week and then the wheels fell off in the second. So the kids were ready to get back out here. Obviously, Forest Festival Weekend in Elkins, kids want to get out and enjoy the weekend. They are going to be able to do that now.
“It is a tough stretch run for us. But we’ve got to be focused and we’ll be ready to go.”