Head Coach<\/strong> Rob Woodard<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/38792536_1762322307204874_706673294450884608_n-e1567083294953-94x300.jpg\")
\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t- Current Team<\/dt>
- Wheelersburg<\/a><\/dd><\/dl><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div> They just continue to work and strive to get themselves better. They\u2019ve pushed the younger kids and the younger guys have stepped up in areas where we needed them,\u201d said Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodward, in an interview on Tuesday. \u201cIn terms of the program, we knew what we were working towards this year. Our guys continue to battle with that. They won an SOC II title again, and earned a home playoff game again. With only four home games this year and how our schedule worked out, a home playoff game is definitely something I wanted to see for our seniors and our community.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Pirates captured the third seed in Region 19, while the Falcons \u2014 which are making their first playoff appearance since 2012 \u2014 swooped in for the sixth seed.
\nMinford fell from fourth to ninth in the Region 19 computer rankings following back-to-back defeats against Oak Hill and at Waverly, and needed not onlyto defeat Valley in the regular-season finale \u2014 but also an Oak Hill loss to Waverly.<\/p>\n
The Falcons got both, as fourth-year head coach Jesse Ruby returns to the playoffs, as he served on the staff of multiple Minford playoff appearances from 2007 thru 2010 \u2014 and again in 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur kids came out and accomplished a lot of the things we want to accomplish. We played really good football for a stretch in the first half of the year. There are always moments you look back in the season and wish you would have done better, but overall, I think the team is happy with how their season went,\u201d said Ruby, in an interview on Tuesday. \u201cBeing back in the playoffs again is something we don\u2019t take for granted. To get to this point, it doesn\u2019t happen as frequently as you would like for it to. It really means something to make the playoffs in football. It\u2019s important to play and defeat quality opponents, and play your best football each week.\u201d
\nSpeaking of 2012, it was the year before that when the Pirates last missed the postseason, as their now 31st appearance sits sixth for most all-time in Ohio High School Athletic Association history.<\/p>\n
[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
Wheelersburg is 38-28 all-time in the tournament, while Minford \u2014 making its ninth all-time appearance \u2014 is 3-8.
\nOne of those eight losses was to Wheelersburg, as the two teams faced off in the regional quarterfinals of 2008 \u2014 with Wheelersburg winning 14-6.<\/p>\n
Last season, the Pirates played Portsmouth West in both the regular-season and SOC II finale \u2014 and then again in the Region 19 quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
For Woodward, winding down his 12th season as the Pirates\u2019 head coach and 17th in the program, was asked about playing the same squad twice in one year.
\nIt\u2019s happened with Ironton twice in fact, in both 2014 and 2015, in which Wheelersburg won the playoff matchup 38-7 after defeating the Fighting Tigers in the annual season opener.<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s Minford\u2019s two-times turn again.
\n\u201cI always tell our guys control the things we can control, and that is putting ourselves in the best situation that we can. Whomever our opponent is, we\u2019re going to have to go out and prepare for like anyone else,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cOur guys were just excited to get that home playoff game. Minford is going to be a tough opponent, and playoff football is playoff football. You have to be ready to go each and every week.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s safe to say, though, that the Falcons are licking their chops for a second shot at the \u2018Burg.
\nIn their week-six meeting at Minford, as the then-undefeated Falcons welcomed Wheelersburg that was perhaps viewed as most vulnerable, the Pirates pulled off an epic 21-20 overtime triumph \u2014 stopping the Falcons\u2019 two-point conversion attempt after Minford\u2019s Matthew Risner reached out and made an acrobatic over-the-shoulder touchdown catch for the 21-20 deficit.
\nWith that victory, Wheelersburg won its 22nd consecutive SOC II game \u2014 en route to another championship and a 26-game league winning streak which will carry over into next season.<\/p>\n
It was an electric, standing-room-only, and super-hyped atmosphere at Minford High School, and it was a game in which every play pretty much mattered in the outcome.
\nIt started on the game\u2019s fourth play, in which Minford standout running back Ty Wiget \u2014 with wide-open running room \u2014 was five yards away from a 52-yard touchdown dart.<\/p>\n
But Wheelersburg\u2019s primary playmaker, Makya Matthews, made probably the Pirates\u2019 play of the season \u2014 sprinting and chasing down Wiget at the 5-yard line and tomahawk-chopping the football loose and into the end zone.<\/p>\n
[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
The Pirates recovered for a touchback, essentially saving their season in the process.
\nBoth teams hit for long touchdown passes to Matthews (76 yards in the the quarter) and Risner (59 yards in the third quarter), but a 67-yard scoring strike to Risner from Elijah Vogelsong-Lewis was negated on a holding penalty.<\/p>\n
Ruby said the mistakes Minford made against the Pirates pertained not to scheme, but to execution.
\n
\tHead Coach<\/strong> Jesse Ruby<\/h3>\n\t\n\t- Current Team<\/dt>
- Minford<\/a><\/dd><\/dl><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div> \u201cI felt we played very well, but there were little things in terms of a linebacker misreading a key, or the quarterback missing a read on a pass, it\u2019s those little things. Not anything with particular play calls or if we would have ran a different defensive look,\u201d said the coach. \u201cI think so much of it was an execution thing. Overall, I thought our gameplan and the way our kids executed that was pretty good. Just the little things of those issues.\u201d<\/p>\nOf course, not getting the two-point conversion attempt \u2014 which would have given Minford its first win over Wheelersburg since 2009 \u2014 still stings with the Falcons to this very day.<\/p>\n
Thus, Minford\u2019s motivation for a rematch goes without saying.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initial sting of losing that night bothered our kids. But reflecting back at it, I felt like our kids felt pretty good about the way they played that game. They definitely would love to have an opportunity to do it again. To see if they can make it a different result,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cI think they are very excited about the situation we have.\u201d
\nBut while the Falcons have whom they want, the Pirates are indeed a different team than from six weeks ago.
\nIt was in that game, in fact, in which Wheelersburg went with senior Evan Horsley at quarterback for good \u2014 as he replaced an ineffective Aaron Masters in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
Horsley hooked up with Matthews for a 76-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 Pirate lead, as Horsley had three completions on seven attempts that night \u2014 while rushing for 92 yards on 14 carries.<\/p>\n
Since then, the Pirates have scored at least 41 points in their final four games \u2014 including 55 at Oak Hill, as Horsley has rushed for 429 yards and five TDs on 76 carries.<\/p>\n
As a passer, he has completed 31-of-53 for 58-percent, amassing 601 yards and nine scores.
\nWoodward said Horsley has evolved the Pirate offense from a simpler package of plays against the Falcons until now, as these Pirates are more run-oriented.
\nIn Wheelersburg\u2019s 42-28 triumph over Waverly, Matthews carried 29 times for 267 yards and a hat trick of scores \u2014 while wide receiver Hunter Ruby ran several jet sweeps.
\n\u201cAt that time (Minford game), we were evaluating things, and knew what Evan (Horsley) could bring to the table,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cWe felt we needed to make that switch at that time. We were able to utilize a small set of plays that we had repped with him there, but since that time, we\u2019ve really been able to expand on what we\u2019re able to do. Evan brings such a leadership and commanding presence at the quarterback position. He is a threat to run, he recognizes how plays are meant to be executed and where to go with the football. And if it doesn\u2019t, he does a great job of checking down and improvising and continuing to make sure positive yards are gained on a given play. That offensive consistency has taken pressure off our defense, allowing them to be more attacking and aggressive, which is definitely what we strive to be and play better at.\u201d<\/p>\n
[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
Coach Ruby concurred that Horsley brings a greater running element to the Pirate offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvan Horsley is such a good runner. Now he has the ball in his hands every play. It just makes them more dynamic in the way they can attack you, given his skill sets,\u201d he said. \u201cHis ability to run the ball, especially in the middle, off a fake to Matthews running outside or things of that nature really poses a threat to a defense. Our kids have to be able to read their assignment and not get caught looking in the backfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pirates have big-play ability as do the fast Falcons, who can quickly strike with the likes of Vogelsong-Lewis, Wiget, Risner and Drew Skaggs.<\/p>\n
Wiget rushed 25 times for 143 yards against Wheelersburg, while Vogelsong-Lewis completed 8-of-12 passes for 143 yards.<\/p>\n
For the season, Vogelsong-Lewis has thrown for 1,429 yards and 16 scores on 82-of-151, while rushing for 708 and seven TDs on 114 carries.<\/p>\n
Wiget has amassed 1,358 yards and 18 touchdowns on 197 attempts, while catching 16 passes for 156 yards out of the backfield.<\/p>\n
Risner with 557 yards and seven touchdowns and Skaggs with 467 yards and six scores have 25 receptions apiece.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are spreading the ball around to more guys, so we have to make sure we account for them, but we know that Ty Wiget and (Elijah) Vogelsong-Lewis are threats to score on any given play,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cThey have a lot of speed that we are well-aware of.\u201d
\nBut Ruby believes better ball control against Wheelersburg \u201cwould help\u201d his offense out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been a big-strike offense. We\u2019ve always had the ability to score from anywhere on the field with our speed and in a variety of ways,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we have to improve on being able to sustain drives and convert on third down, and have the mentality that we need to get four yards on every play and not 50. So we can continue to move the chains and eat up some of the clock. Wheelersburg is similar to us in that they have a lot of fast players, they can score very quickly, and they have big-play potential. If you can limit their possessions, it can work to your advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although, while possessions may or may not be limited, it\u2019s highly likely there will be more of unlimited hype.
\nAfter all, the two schools are an estimated 15 minutes apart \u2014 and play each other once-a-year in already a high-stakes regular-season match.<\/p>\n
Throw in Saturday night being a playoff game\u2026and we can only hope that the sequel is better than the original.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a playoff game, plus it\u2019s a game in which the first meeting was decided by one point in overtime. People in and around the area want to see how this game is going to go again,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for me to express to our players how big I think this game is going to be. If you thought the first game was big, this one will be twice as much.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, all that HAS to happen is the winning team be at least one point better than the losing club.
\n\u201cEven if it\u2019s one point again, the key focus we have is to have fun playing the game, feed off of each other\u2019s energy, and go out and win in advance. In the playoffs, you have to do everything you can to execute and do the things you need to do, regardless of the opponent. Everybody plays in the playoffs with a heightened energy, with a heightened level of play,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cWe have to understand that we\u2019ve got five rungs on the ladder that we want to work to climb. Our guys are doing a great job of preparing for that this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/40089031_1967678619959870_7909714426326941696_o-e1567083524793-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>- 29<\/strong> Makya Matthews<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t![](\"\/\/www.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=150&d=mm&f=y\")
<\/a><\/dt>- Evan Horsley<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t- <\/a><\/dt>
- Hunter Ruby<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t- <\/a><\/dt>
- 14<\/strong> Aaron Masters<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t- <\/a><\/dt>
- 26<\/strong> Carson Williams<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t- <\/a><\/dt>
- 23<\/strong> Eli Swords<\/dd><\/a><\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/69801432_2891000324247983_2224311039443337216_o-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>- 25<\/strong> Ty Wiget<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/69329020_2890950384252977_892435225617891328_n-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>- 2<\/strong> Elijah Vogelsong-Lewis<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
\t<\/div>\n\t- Current Team<\/dt>
- Wheelersburg<\/a><\/dd><\/dl><\/div><\/div>\n
- <\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div> They just continue to work and strive to get themselves better. They\u2019ve pushed the younger kids and the younger guys have stepped up in areas where we needed them,\u201d said Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodward, in an interview on Tuesday. \u201cIn terms of the program, we knew what we were working towards this year. Our guys continue to battle with that. They won an SOC II title again, and earned a home playoff game again. With only four home games this year and how our schedule worked out, a home playoff game is definitely something I wanted to see for our seniors and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
- Current Team<\/dt>
- Minford<\/a><\/dd><\/dl><\/div><\/div>\n
- <\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div> \u201cI felt we played very well, but there were little things in terms of a linebacker misreading a key, or the quarterback missing a read on a pass, it\u2019s those little things. Not anything with particular play calls or if we would have ran a different defensive look,\u201d said the coach. \u201cI think so much of it was an execution thing. Overall, I thought our gameplan and the way our kids executed that was pretty good. Just the little things of those issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
- <\/a><\/dt>
- 29<\/strong> Makya Matthews<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- Evan Horsley<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- Hunter Ruby<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- 14<\/strong> Aaron Masters<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- 26<\/strong> Carson Williams<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- 23<\/strong> Eli Swords<\/dd><\/a><\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t- \n\t
- <\/a><\/dt>
- 25<\/strong> Ty Wiget<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- \n\t
- <\/a><\/dt>
- 2<\/strong> Elijah Vogelsong-Lewis<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- 25<\/strong> Ty Wiget<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- 23<\/strong> Eli Swords<\/dd><\/a><\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
- 26<\/strong> Carson Williams<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- 14<\/strong> Aaron Masters<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- Hunter Ruby<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- Evan Horsley<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
- 29<\/strong> Makya Matthews<\/dd><\/a><\/dl>
Of course, not getting the two-point conversion attempt \u2014 which would have given Minford its first win over Wheelersburg since 2009 \u2014 still stings with the Falcons to this very day.<\/p>\n
Thus, Minford\u2019s motivation for a rematch goes without saying.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initial sting of losing that night bothered our kids. But reflecting back at it, I felt like our kids felt pretty good about the way they played that game. They definitely would love to have an opportunity to do it again. To see if they can make it a different result,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cI think they are very excited about the situation we have.\u201d
\nBut while the Falcons have whom they want, the Pirates are indeed a different team than from six weeks ago.
\nIt was in that game, in fact, in which Wheelersburg went with senior Evan Horsley at quarterback for good \u2014 as he replaced an ineffective Aaron Masters in the second quarter.<\/p>\nHorsley hooked up with Matthews for a 76-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 Pirate lead, as Horsley had three completions on seven attempts that night \u2014 while rushing for 92 yards on 14 carries.<\/p>\n
Since then, the Pirates have scored at least 41 points in their final four games \u2014 including 55 at Oak Hill, as Horsley has rushed for 429 yards and five TDs on 76 carries.<\/p>\n
As a passer, he has completed 31-of-53 for 58-percent, amassing 601 yards and nine scores.
\nWoodward said Horsley has evolved the Pirate offense from a simpler package of plays against the Falcons until now, as these Pirates are more run-oriented.
\nIn Wheelersburg\u2019s 42-28 triumph over Waverly, Matthews carried 29 times for 267 yards and a hat trick of scores \u2014 while wide receiver Hunter Ruby ran several jet sweeps.
\n\u201cAt that time (Minford game), we were evaluating things, and knew what Evan (Horsley) could bring to the table,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cWe felt we needed to make that switch at that time. We were able to utilize a small set of plays that we had repped with him there, but since that time, we\u2019ve really been able to expand on what we\u2019re able to do. Evan brings such a leadership and commanding presence at the quarterback position. He is a threat to run, he recognizes how plays are meant to be executed and where to go with the football. And if it doesn\u2019t, he does a great job of checking down and improvising and continuing to make sure positive yards are gained on a given play. That offensive consistency has taken pressure off our defense, allowing them to be more attacking and aggressive, which is definitely what we strive to be and play better at.\u201d<\/p>\n[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
Coach Ruby concurred that Horsley brings a greater running element to the Pirate offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvan Horsley is such a good runner. Now he has the ball in his hands every play. It just makes them more dynamic in the way they can attack you, given his skill sets,\u201d he said. \u201cHis ability to run the ball, especially in the middle, off a fake to Matthews running outside or things of that nature really poses a threat to a defense. Our kids have to be able to read their assignment and not get caught looking in the backfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pirates have big-play ability as do the fast Falcons, who can quickly strike with the likes of Vogelsong-Lewis, Wiget, Risner and Drew Skaggs.<\/p>\n
Wiget rushed 25 times for 143 yards against Wheelersburg, while Vogelsong-Lewis completed 8-of-12 passes for 143 yards.<\/p>\n
For the season, Vogelsong-Lewis has thrown for 1,429 yards and 16 scores on 82-of-151, while rushing for 708 and seven TDs on 114 carries.<\/p>\n
Wiget has amassed 1,358 yards and 18 touchdowns on 197 attempts, while catching 16 passes for 156 yards out of the backfield.<\/p>\n
Risner with 557 yards and seven touchdowns and Skaggs with 467 yards and six scores have 25 receptions apiece.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are spreading the ball around to more guys, so we have to make sure we account for them, but we know that Ty Wiget and (Elijah) Vogelsong-Lewis are threats to score on any given play,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cThey have a lot of speed that we are well-aware of.\u201d
\nBut Ruby believes better ball control against Wheelersburg \u201cwould help\u201d his offense out.<\/p>\n\u201cWe have been a big-strike offense. We\u2019ve always had the ability to score from anywhere on the field with our speed and in a variety of ways,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we have to improve on being able to sustain drives and convert on third down, and have the mentality that we need to get four yards on every play and not 50. So we can continue to move the chains and eat up some of the clock. Wheelersburg is similar to us in that they have a lot of fast players, they can score very quickly, and they have big-play potential. If you can limit their possessions, it can work to your advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although, while possessions may or may not be limited, it\u2019s highly likely there will be more of unlimited hype.
\nAfter all, the two schools are an estimated 15 minutes apart \u2014 and play each other once-a-year in already a high-stakes regular-season match.<\/p>\nThrow in Saturday night being a playoff game\u2026and we can only hope that the sequel is better than the original.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a playoff game, plus it\u2019s a game in which the first meeting was decided by one point in overtime. People in and around the area want to see how this game is going to go again,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for me to express to our players how big I think this game is going to be. If you thought the first game was big, this one will be twice as much.\u201d<\/p>\nAnd, all that HAS to happen is the winning team be at least one point better than the losing club.
\n\u201cEven if it\u2019s one point again, the key focus we have is to have fun playing the game, feed off of each other\u2019s energy, and go out and win in advance. In the playoffs, you have to do everything you can to execute and do the things you need to do, regardless of the opponent. Everybody plays in the playoffs with a heightened energy, with a heightened level of play,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cWe have to understand that we\u2019ve got five rungs on the ladder that we want to work to climb. Our guys are doing a great job of preparing for that this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t- \n\t
The Pirates captured the third seed in Region 19, while the Falcons \u2014 which are making their first playoff appearance since 2012 \u2014 swooped in for the sixth seed.
\nMinford fell from fourth to ninth in the Region 19 computer rankings following back-to-back defeats against Oak Hill and at Waverly, and needed not onlyto defeat Valley in the regular-season finale \u2014 but also an Oak Hill loss to Waverly.<\/p>\nThe Falcons got both, as fourth-year head coach Jesse Ruby returns to the playoffs, as he served on the staff of multiple Minford playoff appearances from 2007 thru 2010 \u2014 and again in 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur kids came out and accomplished a lot of the things we want to accomplish. We played really good football for a stretch in the first half of the year. There are always moments you look back in the season and wish you would have done better, but overall, I think the team is happy with how their season went,\u201d said Ruby, in an interview on Tuesday. \u201cBeing back in the playoffs again is something we don\u2019t take for granted. To get to this point, it doesn\u2019t happen as frequently as you would like for it to. It really means something to make the playoffs in football. It\u2019s important to play and defeat quality opponents, and play your best football each week.\u201d
\nSpeaking of 2012, it was the year before that when the Pirates last missed the postseason, as their now 31st appearance sits sixth for most all-time in Ohio High School Athletic Association history.<\/p>\n[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
Wheelersburg is 38-28 all-time in the tournament, while Minford \u2014 making its ninth all-time appearance \u2014 is 3-8.
\nOne of those eight losses was to Wheelersburg, as the two teams faced off in the regional quarterfinals of 2008 \u2014 with Wheelersburg winning 14-6.<\/p>\nLast season, the Pirates played Portsmouth West in both the regular-season and SOC II finale \u2014 and then again in the Region 19 quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
For Woodward, winding down his 12th season as the Pirates\u2019 head coach and 17th in the program, was asked about playing the same squad twice in one year.
\nIt\u2019s happened with Ironton twice in fact, in both 2014 and 2015, in which Wheelersburg won the playoff matchup 38-7 after defeating the Fighting Tigers in the annual season opener.<\/p>\nNow, it\u2019s Minford\u2019s two-times turn again.
\n\u201cI always tell our guys control the things we can control, and that is putting ourselves in the best situation that we can. Whomever our opponent is, we\u2019re going to have to go out and prepare for like anyone else,\u201d said Woodward. \u201cOur guys were just excited to get that home playoff game. Minford is going to be a tough opponent, and playoff football is playoff football. You have to be ready to go each and every week.\u201d<\/p>\nIt\u2019s safe to say, though, that the Falcons are licking their chops for a second shot at the \u2018Burg.
\nIn their week-six meeting at Minford, as the then-undefeated Falcons welcomed Wheelersburg that was perhaps viewed as most vulnerable, the Pirates pulled off an epic 21-20 overtime triumph \u2014 stopping the Falcons\u2019 two-point conversion attempt after Minford\u2019s Matthew Risner reached out and made an acrobatic over-the-shoulder touchdown catch for the 21-20 deficit.
\nWith that victory, Wheelersburg won its 22nd consecutive SOC II game \u2014 en route to another championship and a 26-game league winning streak which will carry over into next season.<\/p>\nIt was an electric, standing-room-only, and super-hyped atmosphere at Minford High School, and it was a game in which every play pretty much mattered in the outcome.
\nIt started on the game\u2019s fourth play, in which Minford standout running back Ty Wiget \u2014 with wide-open running room \u2014 was five yards away from a 52-yard touchdown dart.<\/p>\nBut Wheelersburg\u2019s primary playmaker, Makya Matthews, made probably the Pirates\u2019 play of the season \u2014 sprinting and chasing down Wiget at the 5-yard line and tomahawk-chopping the football loose and into the end zone.<\/p>\n
[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n
The Pirates recovered for a touchback, essentially saving their season in the process.
\nBoth teams hit for long touchdown passes to Matthews (76 yards in the the quarter) and Risner (59 yards in the third quarter), but a 67-yard scoring strike to Risner from Elijah Vogelsong-Lewis was negated on a holding penalty.<\/p>\nRuby said the mistakes Minford made against the Pirates pertained not to scheme, but to execution.
\n\tHead Coach<\/strong> Jesse Ruby<\/h3>\n\t
\n\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/69374037_2891000554247960_2563494777291014144_o-e1567397547789-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/09\/69494622_2890947284253287_3024319668362936320_o-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/dt>