Sports
Athens Tops Warren, 42-6
By: Brad Friedman
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On the first chilly Friday night of the season, Athens overcame two turnovers and five penalties to top the Warren Warriors, 42-6.
It looked as if Athens was going to put it away early when junior Joe Burrow capped a two-play drive with a 24-yard scamper into the end zone.
The following Warren drive ended when senior Austin Klintworth’s pass found the hands of Athens safety Ryan Luehrman, putting the Bulldogs’ offense in great field position.
Momentum shifted six plays later when senior Jake Powell took advantage of a floating pass over the middle, giving the ball back to Warren’s offense.
Another unsuccessful Warrior drive later, Athens soon found itself in the red zone. On third-and-15, a busted read option between Burrow and tailback Trae Williams landed the ball on the ground. Warren defensive tackle Brandon Pahl did the rest, picking up the team’s second takeaway of the quarter.
Athens went into the second quarter up, 7-0, but that would be the closest point margin from that point.
On their first drive of the second quarter, Burrow and Luehrman connected on two long completions, including a 35-yard bomb, to put the Bulldogs in the red zone. After a holding call pushed Athens back to the 26, Burrow took matters into his own hands, juking and sprinting to the right pylon for the score. The run put Athens up, 14-0.
Warren punted on its next possession to Williams. 72 yards and multiple video game-like moves later, the Bulldogs were up, 20-0.
Burrow and Luerhman went on to connect once more for a score, and a Williams two-point conversion made the tally, 28-0.
With less than a minute to go, Warren’s offense came alive and ended the half’s final drive with a 25-yard sprint from senior Dave Ryan.
Burrow finished the game with 12-of-20 passing for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Williams’ second half was highlighted by an 81-yard sprint to the house. He finished with 128 of the offense’s 396 total yards.
The Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0) face their biggest challenge of the season next Friday when they welcome the undefeated Jackson Ironmen to town.
Warren (1-2, 0-0) looks to get back to .500 when it welcomes Parkersburg South to Vincent.