Sports
Preview: Wellston, South Point Take The Field
By: Nathan Takitch
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For the second consecutive season, the Wellston Golden Rockets (0-1) will look to grab their first win of the year against non-conference foe South Point (1-0) when the Pointers come to town on Friday night.
Last fall, after losing their first two games of the season, Wellston was able to breeze past South Point, who had dropped their first two games by a combined score of 84-0.
But the circumstances surrounding this year’s game are markedly different for the Pointers, who were able to snag a come-from-behind victory in their opener against Fleming County, winning 20-14.
After finishing 1-9 in 2012, South Point has already equaled its win total from a year ago. And with upper-class leadership returning in many skill positions, the Pointers could prove to be a real challenge for Wellston.
Dual threat junior quarterback Gage Townson leads the charge for the Pointers, who will be eager to avenge their 48-21 defeat at the hands of the Golden Rockets last season.
Wellston will also have their hands full with two dynamic junior running backs in Mason White and James Leonard as well as senior wide outs Izzy Jones and Audric Harlow.
But despite South Point’s long list of offensive threats, Wellston has the star power to match their opponents in Week 2.
Despite losing 54-18 in his first game as the signal caller for the Golden Rockets, sophomore quarterback Braydon Womeldorf had a respectable game, going 6-of-12 for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the contest.
Wellston’s athletic wide receiver and senior Jake Waldron also promises to be an “X-Factor” on Friday.
The difference could come down to which team is able to limit their mistakes.
In their Week 1 defeat, the Golden Rockets found themselves in a 35-0 hole just over a minute into the second quarter. The deficit was the result of errors including a poor snap on a punt, a personal foul penalty, a fumbled kickoff return, and a pick six.
Jackson only outscored Wellston 19-18 through the rest of the game.
If Wellston is able to put together a full four quarters of quality football, they will have a good chance to win at home against the only team that Vinton County was able to defeat in 2012.
But the 2013 version of the South Point Pointers have the experience and the hunger that can make them a dangerous opponent, especially if they are given extra chances.