Where do we start with this year’s OVAC All Star Football Game? How about the beautiful new video board at Wheeling Island Stadium, a great upgrade, or the awards and accolades that the OVAC gives before and during the game, or the All-Star Bands Performance at halftime, or the crowning of the Queen of Queens, and heck we haven’t event mentioned the game yet?
Ohio County Schools upgrade of the video board at Wheeling Island Stadium is the first thing that was noticed as I walked into the stadium. This gives the fans, players, and coaches an entirely different perspective on the game. As now the replays are so crisp and clear, it almost feels like you’re watching in your living room.
Tom “Bear” Bechtel was honored before the game in being named a guest official. Joe Kolb was given an award for his 50 years of being a football official. Wheeling Central’s drug free PSA was given an accolade in the beginning of the fourth quarter by the United States Attorney’s office. There were also scholarships awarded to band members and football players at the game. Again, a great job to the OVAC by giving back to the students.
During the halftime festivities the band gave both the Ohio and West Virginia sides a great performance. They gave some wonderful renditions of both the Back Street Boys and N’Sync for just a few of their songs during their performance.
Also, during halftime the OVAC announces the Queen of Queens winner. Congratulations to Payton Nickerson from Wheeling Park on being named this year’s Queen.
Now, we finally get to some football action. As with most all-star football games, defense rules in the beginning. This years OVAC game was no different. Both the West Virginia and Ohio defenses were strong through the first couple of possessions.
As the game moved on, the offenses of both squads started to move the ball at times, but not consistently enough to put points on the board. This held true for almost the entire first half. Ohio was able to get into field goal range with 5:15 left in the first half and Jace Madzia split the uprights to give Ohio a 3-0 lead going into the half.
Watching the 3rd quarter was much like the first half, defenses dominated, both offenses were not able to get much going. You wouldn’t think that there would be many fireworks in a game that saw the defenses rule much of the game, but then you have the 4th quarter.
West Virginia started the scoring in the 4th with a 31-yard touchdown ball that was dropped in by John Marshall’s Jacob Coffield to Linsly’s Luca DiLorenzo. Trenton Richmond knocked in the PAT to give the Mountaineers a 7-3.
The ensuing kickoff was returned by Zane Kinsey (Toronto) to the West Virginia 14, to put Ohio in business late in the quarter. The West Virginia defense gave up a short 4th down to give the Buckeyes a first and goal. It took Ohio 4 more downs to punch the ball into the endzone. Bellaire’s Ray Ray Pettigrew took a toss around the left end to put the Buckeyes up 9-7 with only 2:53 left in the game.
West Virginia started their next drive with a Riley Watkins (Wheeling Central) catch of a Coffield pass to get the Mountaineer to mid-field. After a couple penalties, runs, and incomplete passes West Virginia went to DiLorenzo.
Sometimes you just have a GUY, and the Mountaineers were lucky to have that GUY in DiLorenzo. He took a pitch that was supposed to be a pass, but with no one open and the defense bearing down, DiLorenzo took off. In a dazzling display of speed and gamesmanship, DiLorenzo was able to sprint his way to a 30-yard touchdown. This gave West Virginia the lead with 55 seconds to go.
Ohio tried a couple pass plays and even a hook and ladder to try and score. They were finally done in by a Watkins interception with 0:00 on the clock. The celebration was on for the Mountaineers. A great game for both sides and a great way to kick off football season in the Ohio Valley.
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