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Wheelersburg falls to Harvest Prep, ending their dark horse playoff run 

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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) — The Wheelersburg Pirates took on the Harvest Prep Warriors in a highly anticipated Region 19 final matchup. Wheelersburg entered the match coming off of three comeback victories, including a second half turnaround win over top seeded Ironton last week. Harvest Prep went into the match coming off a dominant 41-0 win over Columbus Academy

Wheelersburg started off the game hot, forcing a three and out on the Warriors first possession. The Pirates ensuing drive saw Eli Jones connect with Carson Williams on a 29 yard TD pass to give Wheelersburg a 7-0 lead early. The Pirates defense would continue to cause problems in the first quarter with the Pass Rush forcing a fumble on the next drive.

The second quarter saw significantly more offensive action between the two sides. The Pirates would be on the ropes to start the quarter after a dropped punt return put Harvest Prep in Wheelersburg territory. However, a turnover on downs largely in part to Wheelersburg’s defensive backfield would give the Pirates the ball. Ethan Glover would erupt on the next play, running for 52 yards to the house to give Wheelersburg a 14-0 lead. Harvest Prep would respond on the next drive, utilizing both their passing and running game to put them in Wheelersburg’s red zone for the first time all evening. Quarterback Jalen Jennings would carry the ball from this point on, capping the drive off with a 1 yard touchdown run to make the score 14-7. After a 3 and out by the Pirates, the Warriors would find themselves within good field positions, but a slew of penalties including a false start and delay of game would force Harvest Prep to punt the ball back towards the end of the quarter. The Pirates would take advantage off of these errors on their next drive, as Eli Jones would connect with Brock Brumfield off a 30 yard pass to put Wheelersburg in the endzone. However, tough defense by the Warriors would force a field goal, giving Wheelersburg a 17-7 lead entering the half.

Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Player #13 from Harvest Prep catches the ball from his teammate #50 at the Wheelersburg vs. Harvest Prep on November 20, 2021. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
Creed Warren player #25 on Wheelersbrug makes the first touchdown at the football game Wheelersbrug vs. Harvest Prep with only a few seconds knocked down from the clock. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]
To start off a great and entertaining football game Wheelersburg takes on Harvest Prep. Player #44 on November 20, 2021 on Wheelersburg football team throws water from his water bottle to hype up his team and the crowd at the start of the game. [Emily Michaelian-WOUB]

The third quarter saw Harvest Prep begin to shift momentum. The Warriors picked off Eli Jones in the midfield on the opening drive of the quarter, putting them in good field position to start the half. From there, QB Aidan Rodgers would turn the burners on and rush for a 30 yard touchdown run to put the Warriors within three points. The Warriors would lock down for the rest of the drive, preventing Wheelersburg’s run game from gaining any yardage.

The fourth quarter saw Harvest Prep continue their dominance on the run, with quarterback Jalen Jennings breaking free from two tackles and rushing for 40 yards for  a touchdown. However, a missed field goal would make the score 20-17, giving the Pirates a chance to tie the game. The rest of the quarter played into Harvest Prep’s favor, as they would continue to snuff out Wheelersburg’s running offense and finish the game with a 20-17 victory.

Harvest Prep finishes the night as Regional Champions and will move on to the State Semifinal against Versailes next Saturday. Wheelersburg bows out of the playoffs with an overall record at 10-4.