CANAL WINCHESTER, Oh (WOUB)— West Muskingum fell to the Harvest Prep Warriors in the second round of the OHSAA playoffs with a final score of 24-0, ending the tornadoes season.

The game started with both teams’ defenses on full display. The Tornadoes drove down the field into Harvest Prep territory but were stuffed on a crucial fourth down conversion attempt, handing the ball to the Warriors. Harvest Prep would in turn drive down the field into the West Muskingum red zone and similarly be stopped on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs. The quarter would end with the score 0-0 as both offenses struggled to gain yards.

The Tornadoes would make the first mistake early in the second quarter, on a fourth down in their own territory. Jake Anton would fumble the snap while trying to get the punt off and the Warriors would fall on the ball deep in West Muskingum territory. This would lead to an Earnest Pierce 15 yard touchdown run as Harvest Prep took an early 6-0 lead. The defenses would continue the game, into the half the score would still be 6-0.

On the first Warrior drive in the second half the Tornado defense would force a fourth and one in Harvest Prep territory that would turn into a 61 yard run from DezMond Porter. This would put the Warriors up 12-0.

On the ensuing West Muskingum drive Rashid Sessay would take the carry and suffer a hard hit that would jar the ball loose and be recovered by Harvest Prep. The Warriors would take advantage of the shortened field and Elijah Brown would find pay dirt on a 10 yard carry making the score 18-0 Harvest Prep.

The quarter would end with the Tornadoes driving down the field.

Early in the fourth quarter West Muskingum faced a huge fourth down in Warrior territory that would turn into an interception as Jamarcus Jones would rise up over the Tornadoes receiver and end the drive. Later in the quarter Harvest Prep would put the nail in the coffin as Porter would take in a 3 yard run putting the Warriors up 24-0, the final score.

With this loss the West Muskingum Tornadoes are done for the season, but have much to be proud of. The Tornadoes won their third ever MVL title and Rashid Sessay broke the previous MVL touchdown records in a season with 43 total touchdowns.

Harvest Prep will take on the dangerous Ironton Tigers next week.