Pirates dethrone Shamrocks in first round of the playoffs for a third time
By: Joshua Hoerner
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BARNESVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) – One week after winning an SOC title, the Wheelersburg Pirates drew a first-round playoff matchup with the Barnesville Shamrocks. Both fan bases had their noisemakers ready for this contest. The Pirates would sail home with a 24-7 win.
Despite almost losing possession on the opening kickoff, Barnesville got the ball to begin the contest. After a three and out, the Pirates took over around midfield. After three straight runs from the Pirates, they were stopped short of the yard to gain, they punted the ball back to Barnesville.
Barnesville’s offense got things going. Casey Carpenter found his man, and Brady Macintire made a big catch to put the Shamrocks on their own 48-yard line. Barnesville faced a third and eight and despite not converting, which got the Pirates to jump offsides and gain a free first down.
But the Wheelersburg defense held strong, holding the ball third and seven on their 39-yard line. Again, they got the Pirates to jump offsides, making it third and two. But Wheelersburg came up with a crucial run stop, bringing up a fourth and one.
Barnesville chose to do a quarterback sneak and did not get to the line to gain, letting Wheelersburg take over on their own 33-yard line. Elijah Brown found a gap on first down and got into Shamrock territory. However, a holding penalty brought back the longest play of the game so far.
Braylon Rucker found a man downfield, and Wheelersburg converted a first down a play later. Rucker also found a seam in the Shamrock defense and the Pirate offense found themselves in the red zone. Using his legs again for a nine-yard run, Rucker got the Pirates inside the five-yard line.
Wheelersburg found the end zone two plays later when Ison Emnett 2-yard touchdown run, 7-0 Pirates after the first quarter of play. The Pirates defense held strong again, forcing a punt and giving the ball right back to their offense.
Rucker’s legs and the Pirates dynamic run game helped them move down the field.
Facing a third down and six in the red zone, Rucker again relied on his legs for the Pirates to move the chains. Wheelersburg faced a first down on the Shamrocks 11-yard line.
Elijah Brown would punch it in a few plays later, giving Wheelersburg a 14-0 lead with under five minutes left to play in the second. Kasey Carpenter did his best to keep the Shamrocks drive alive but fell short trying to pick up the first down.
Braylon Rucker found space on the outside for two quick catches and runs, bringing Wheelersburg to the Shamrocks 22-yard line. However, the Pirates were unable to get another first down and would kick a field goal to end the half. Wheelersburg led 17-0 and got the ball to start the second.
The Shamrocks offense needed a spark, and they found it in the second half. Casey Carpenter found Camden Carpenter for their first score of the game, trailing by 10 with just under three minutes remaining in the second half.
The Pirates defense held strong in the final period of play. Braylon Rucker kept a quarterback keeper to put the game on ice.
Wheelersburg moves on to play Union Local in the next round of the playoffs. Braylon Rucker finished with 111 rushing yards. The Wheelersburg defense held the Barnesville offense under 100 yards of total offense. Shamrocks quarterback Casey Carpenter finished 21 of 31 passing.