Balanced Air Attack Gives Wheeling First Win of 2021
WHEELING, W. Va.(Sept. 18)- Wheeling football used two signal callers and a slew of receivers effectively to notch its first win of the season, a 28-6 decision over Alderson Broaddus. Usual Junior starting quarterbackTrent Jacksonalternated drives with Redshirt SophomoreBrennon Norris, each of them producing scoring drives.
Wheeling took almost five minutes off the clock and went 66 yards down the field to score on the first drive of the contest. On a 4thand 11, Jackson found Senior Wide ReceiverLowell Patronfor a 32-yard score, putting the Cardinals up 7-0 early in the first quarter after a successful PAT from Redshirt Junior KickerMatthew Greenwood
The remainder of the first quarter was uneventful, with an Alderson Broaddus missed field goal and a Wheeling punt.
The Cardinal defense continued its productive ways in the second quarter, putting six points on the board for the second time in 2021. Experienced Redshirt JuniorBrandon Munozsacked Alderson Broaddus Quarterback Dawson Skinner and stripped the ball from the freshman's hands near the goal line. Redshirt Freshman LinebackerRodney Jacksonpounced on top of the ball in the endzone to increase the Wheeling lead to 14-0 after a Greenwood PAT.
Both teams traded punts and turnovers to end the first half. Wheeling would maintain its two-score lead until the middle of the third quarter, when it would add more tallies to the scoreboard.
Norris led the Cardinals offense on an 11-play drive that took almost six minutes off the third quarter clock, eventually finding Redshirt Junior Wide ReceiverRyan LaFollettefor a nine-yard touchdown strike to go up 21-0.
After a punt from the Battlers, Wheeling went right back to work on offense, scoring again just under three minutes from their prior touchdown.
Norris hit Patron on back-to-back plays of over 20-yards to add on to the Wheeling total. Patron caught a Norris pass for 24-yards was brought down at the Wheeling 48-yard line. On the next snap, Norris threw a perfect ball to a streaking Patron for a 52-yard six-pointer, the second score for both Norris and Patron of the afternoon. Wheeling took a 28-0 lead after the Greenwood PAT.
A Cardinal turnover and alternating punts wrapped up much of the fourth quarter, but the Battlers were able to sneak in a score with just over two minutes left to create a final score of 28-6.
Quarterbacks Jackson and Norris were effective in spreading the ball around the offense with both posting impressive lines. The two targeted seven different receivers throughout the contest.
Jackson went 13 for 22, accumulating 155 yards and adding six points on the opening score to Patron. Norris finished at 12 for 17, throwing for 140 yards and posting two scores through the air.
Patron had the hot hands for the Cardinal offense, grabbing 10 throws for a total of 177 yards, with two of the grabs for touchdowns. LaFollette was on the receiving end of the other score through the air. He had eight catches for 59 yards and added a touchdown.
Munoz lead the way defensively for Wheeling, obtaining four tackles and forcing a fumble on a strip-sack that led to the defensive touchdown. Redshirt Sophomore Defensive BackJosiah Wright, Redshirt Freshman Defensive LinemanChase Nolan, and Redshirt Junior Defensive LinemanDwayne Benderall added four tackles a piece, while six other Cardinals posted three stops.
Wheeling will travel to Glenville State next Saturday, September 25 with kickoff scheduled for 12 PM. The Cardinals will return to Bishop Schmitt field on October 2, when they entertain West Virginia Wesleyan at 2 PM.