The Wheelersburg Pirates tame the Waverly Tigers 42-12
By: Louis Marko
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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – The Wheelersburg Pirates (3-4) traveled to face the Waverly Tigers (5-2) in a Southern Ohio matchup where they won 42-12.
Heading into the game, the Pirates looked to secure a vital win for their playoff hopes, and the Tigers looked to beat Wheelersburg for the first time in four years.
Waverly threatened in their opening drive with their rushing offense led by RB Sabastian Billasano. But on 4th and 10 at the Wheelersburg 35, an overthrown pass in the endzone turned the ball over.
The Pirates took advantage with a rushing attack of their own led by RB Ison Emnett. Their first drive would be capped off with a two-yard rushing touchdown by QB Braylon Rucker. An extra point would be good to make it 7-0 Wheelersburg in the 1st.
Wheelersburg’s defense would step up again as they would get a huge sack on 3rd and 10, forcing the Tigers to punt near the end of the 1st. Momentum would shift, however, as Waverly would force a turnover on downs of their own.
This time it was the passing attack that led them down the field as they would get on the board with a touchdown pass by QB Mason Kelly to WR Mason Pollard. But the extra point would be no good, setting the score 7-6 Wheelersburg.
However, the momentum did not stop despite the missed kick as the Tigers pounced on an onside kick, putting the ball right back on their 48. The passing attack continued to roll as the Tigers got back to the red zone, but the Pirates stuck a sword in the offense by way of a fumble, recovering at their 13-yard line.
The Pirates would take advantage again, driving down the field with time consuming ease. QB Mason Kelly would once again rush in the endzone from the Waverly 11, extending the Pirates lead 14-6 after the extra point. The score would hold into halftime.
In the second half, Wheelersburg would quickly extend the lead 21-6 with another rushing touchdown within the first 4 minutes. The Pirates never looked back as they would control the rest of the game with three more touchdowns from their ferocious rushing offense, ultimately winning 42-12.
It was a tale of two halves. A close first half with possession-based offense and big defensive plays on both sides, and an absolute rout in the second half by one.
Wheelersburg picked up a huge victory towards their voyage of making the playoffs, improving to 4-4. They look to continue this success next week against Minford (1-6).
Meanwhile, Waverly falls to (5-3) and looks to bounce back next week against Northwest (4-3).