Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 25, 2007 14:54:17 GMT -5
By KERRY PATRICK, Sports Writer
WILLIAMSTOWN — The bell rings once again for the Yellowjackets.
Williamstown posted its state record 57th straight regular-season victory by outlasting Magnolia 30-20 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Yellowjackets survived several tense moments in the fourth quarter, including a dropped pass reception which would have resulted in a sure six.
“Both teams played their hearts out,” Williamstown coach Terry Smith said. “We just happened to play a little bit longer.”
Magnolia gave Williamstown all it could handle and tied the game at 20 when Steven Zajdowicz scored from 5 yards out with 9:14 remaining in regulation.
The Blue Eagles held Williamstown to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but muffed the punt return,which the Yellowjackets recovered at the Magnolia 25.
Given new life, Williamstown took advantage. Five consecutive running plays advanced to ball to the 9. Despite missing an extra point in the second quarter, sophomore Joe Palm was called upon to attempt a 26-yard field goal. The ball split the uprights and put the Yellowjackets in front 23-20 with 4:13 showing.
After the two teams exchanged punts, Magnolia took over on its own 23 with 1:28 remaining on the clock. Freshman quarterback Justin Fox, who completed 10-of-19 passes for 158 yards, hooked up with Josh Goddard for a 7-yard pass play. Dillion Jackson rushed for another three yards to move the chains.
On the very next play, Fox dropped back in the pocket and threw towards Zachary Fox sprinting down the left sidelines. Fox beat the secondary, but dropped the ball.
After a delay-of-game penalty and Magnolia facing second-and-15 from its own 28, Justin Fox again looked to pass but senior defensive end Cory Hart sacked the quarterback. The ball came loose and Williamstown’s Justin Wajda picked up the fumble and returned it 7 yards for the touchdown.
Hart, a transfer from Fort Frye High School, fought a bout with cramps in his leg in the second half but still wound up with three sacks in his Yellowjacket debut.
“Since this is my last year, I need to give it everything I have so I wasn’t quitting no matter what,” Hart said. “I told myself, run (the cramps) off and get back in there.”
Providing the offensive fireworks for the Yellowjackets in the first half was senior quarterback Drew Townsend, who hooked up with Adam Kerns for an 85-yards touchdown and Kevin Board for a 56-yard score. Townsend finished the game 6-of-10 passing for 192 yards with one interception.
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com
Copyright © 2007— The Parkersburg News and The Parkersburg Sentinel
519 Juliana Street | Parkersburg, WV 26101
304.485.1891 (local) | 800.642.1997
WILLIAMSTOWN — The bell rings once again for the Yellowjackets.
Williamstown posted its state record 57th straight regular-season victory by outlasting Magnolia 30-20 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Yellowjackets survived several tense moments in the fourth quarter, including a dropped pass reception which would have resulted in a sure six.
“Both teams played their hearts out,” Williamstown coach Terry Smith said. “We just happened to play a little bit longer.”
Magnolia gave Williamstown all it could handle and tied the game at 20 when Steven Zajdowicz scored from 5 yards out with 9:14 remaining in regulation.
The Blue Eagles held Williamstown to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but muffed the punt return,which the Yellowjackets recovered at the Magnolia 25.
Given new life, Williamstown took advantage. Five consecutive running plays advanced to ball to the 9. Despite missing an extra point in the second quarter, sophomore Joe Palm was called upon to attempt a 26-yard field goal. The ball split the uprights and put the Yellowjackets in front 23-20 with 4:13 showing.
After the two teams exchanged punts, Magnolia took over on its own 23 with 1:28 remaining on the clock. Freshman quarterback Justin Fox, who completed 10-of-19 passes for 158 yards, hooked up with Josh Goddard for a 7-yard pass play. Dillion Jackson rushed for another three yards to move the chains.
On the very next play, Fox dropped back in the pocket and threw towards Zachary Fox sprinting down the left sidelines. Fox beat the secondary, but dropped the ball.
After a delay-of-game penalty and Magnolia facing second-and-15 from its own 28, Justin Fox again looked to pass but senior defensive end Cory Hart sacked the quarterback. The ball came loose and Williamstown’s Justin Wajda picked up the fumble and returned it 7 yards for the touchdown.
Hart, a transfer from Fort Frye High School, fought a bout with cramps in his leg in the second half but still wound up with three sacks in his Yellowjacket debut.
“Since this is my last year, I need to give it everything I have so I wasn’t quitting no matter what,” Hart said. “I told myself, run (the cramps) off and get back in there.”
Providing the offensive fireworks for the Yellowjackets in the first half was senior quarterback Drew Townsend, who hooked up with Adam Kerns for an 85-yards touchdown and Kevin Board for a 56-yard score. Townsend finished the game 6-of-10 passing for 192 yards with one interception.
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com
Copyright © 2007— The Parkersburg News and The Parkersburg Sentinel
519 Juliana Street | Parkersburg, WV 26101
304.485.1891 (local) | 800.642.1997
