Sports

Bolen’s big night propels Patriots to win

Posted on: Saturday, August 25, 2012

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Parkersburg South defeated Ripley 42-28 in its opener at home Friday, and the Patriots can thank Tyler Bolen for that.

It was an impressive team performance, as the senior signal caller led the Patriots to an early lead and never looked back. It began on the opening possession of the game. Bolen led the offense down the field before scampering into the end zone on third-and-goal from 10 yards out—a 13-play, 77-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock.  

Bolen did it all, throwing for an efficient 220 yards and two touchdowns and legging out 35 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground.

Bolen was meticulous, extending plays with his feet and maneuvering behind the line of scrimmage to find open receivers. He demonstrated this beautifully on a 3^rd down play with just under two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Bolen routinely dropped back to pass, but the pocket collapsed around him quickly. He scampered right then forward as if he planned to pick up the necessary two yards for a first down with his legs. But right before crossing the line of scrimmage, Bolen flipped a shovel pass to Braxton Johnson, who broke three tackles on the way to the end zone to put the Patriots up 29-7 and seize any momentum that may have been hanging up in the air before half time. 

Johnson ended the game with 76 total yards and three touchdowns—two through the air and one on the ground. Parkersburg South also received significant contributions from seniors Jordan Quiocho, Cody Hively and Logan Cox, who had a 38-yard touchdown run late to turn a one-score game into a comfortable victory.

The Patriots’ strong showing behind the arm and legs of Bolen could be indicative of things to come in south Parkersburg. If Bolen continues to play at such a level—not just making plays, but making all the right plays and limiting his mistakes—the senior could lead this experienced team to its best season in the Jon Bolen era.

Parkersburg South will be back in action next week at home against Linsly.