HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After spotting Huntington a 14-0 lead less than nine minutes into their clash atop the Mountain State Athletic Conference standings, George Washington scored 48 of the game’s final 55 points to leave Cabell County with a 48-21 win.
It is the first victory for GW head coach Steve Edwards Jr. in nine tries at Huntington.
“This is the first time I have won up here,” Edwards Jr. said. “And I have been coaching for a long time.”
The Highlanders used a pair of touchdown connections from Marek Midkiff to Kellen Rife of 29 and 8 yards to build an early 14-0 lead. However, the Patriots cut their deficit in half on the final play from scrimmage in the first quarter and they outscored HHS 21-0 in the second quarter to build a 28-14 halftime advantage.
“If your back is against the wall, how are you going to react and how are you going to handle it? I thought after a while, we handled it and we were able to take care of business.
“In the second quarter, I felt like we were doing some things and we got in a rhythm. Once we got going and once Jaden [Black] was able to see and our guys started opening up some holes, the momentum started shifting our way.”
De’Sean Isabell [1 yard and 31 yards] and Black [2 yards and 60 yards] each had a pair of touchdown totes in the first half.
In the opening minute of the third quarter, Huntington (5-2) used an interception from Jaxson Seals and a 6-yard touchdown run from Donte Newsome to trim their deficit in half at 28-21. However, GW scored the game’s final 20 points. Isabell and Black each added touchdown runs, giving them each three in the game. Isabell capped the scoring midway through the fourth quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Davon Brockman.
“Again, I can’t say enough about those guys up front. They are as fine a group as there is in the state.”
The GW defense forced five turnovers and they recovered an onside kick.
“They were just playing hard. That’s all you’ve got to do. That’s all we preach to them — play hard and take care of each other and do your job.”
George Washington (7-0) will likely retain their top spot in the WVSSAC playoff ratings with three games to play.
“People are going to be talking about you. You have earned where you are at. Now it is up to you. Can you hold it? What can you do with it? That’s what we are trying to preach right now.”