Wheelersburg moves on after Regional Semis. win
By: Reggie Neal
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ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio (WOUB) – The 7th seeded West Muskingum Tornadoes took on the 14th seeded Wheelersburg Pirates for the regional semifinal round of the playoffs. Both teams came off big wins and looked to extend their playoff runs.
Wheelersburg opted to kick off to the tornadoes to start the game. The game started off shaky with some early flags on the West M. offense. With the early troubles, it took them 8 minutes to advance down the field and scored their first touchdown of the game by Carter Winland with a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
After a return for Cooper Mackenzie, the Pirates started their drive on their own 28 yard-line with 4:18 left in the first quarter. The Wheelersburg offense was led by Braylon Rucker. The first run of the game was by senior running back Elijah Brown.
After some short runs and from Rucker and Brown the pirates found themselves at the opposing 48 yard-line for first down. Rucker continued to show off his running game, picking up significant yards to keep their offense moving up. The Pirates offense moved up to the Tornadoes 20. After a 14-yard run, Elijah Brown ran the ball into the end zone and tied the game 7-7 after the extra point.
For the Tornadoes second drive of the night, they started at the 22-yard line. Talon Bennett got his first reception of the night for first down. They moved up to the 40-yard line after a pass interference call. On 2nd and 12, the West M defense got stopped just before the line of scrimmage on 3rd down. On 4th down, the Tornadoes punted and the ball landed on the 3-yard line for the Wheelersburg offense.
Wheelersburg’s second drive of the game starting deep in their own territory at the 3rd yard line. They started with an overthrow at just before midfield and suddenly it was 3rd and 8 with 5:18 left in the 2nd quarter. Not converting on 3rd down forced the Pirates to punt on 4th down. Wheelersburg started their drive with a huge run up the field by Braylon Rucker for a 40-yard carry. He had 6 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Pirates scored on a throw from the 4-yard line to Brycen Longfellow, who put Wheelersburg ahead 14-7 with 3:25 left in the first half.
The Pirates added to the score after a touchdown by running back Elijah Brown on a 3-yard run. 21-7 Wheelersburg, 8:00 left in 3rd quarter.
West Muskingum scored their final touchdown of the night off a run from sophomore wide receiver Carter Smith. The Tornadoes couldn’t add anything else to the score. Ultimately Wheelersburg dominated on both sides of the ball and get the opportunity to play in the Regional Final next week, after winning 21-14 on Friday night.