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Williamstown Yellowjackets win on homecoming night

Trenton Tallman (1) and Carter Haynes (3) of Williamstown close in on Ryan Roedersheimer of Parkersburg Catholic in the Yellowjackets’ 41-12 homecoming night win on Friday. Photo by Michael Uhl.

WILLIAMSTOWN — In field conditions which might have induced flashbacks in a World War One veteran, Williamstown overcame the sloppy turf and wet football to defeat Parkersburg Catholic 41-12 on the Yellowjackets’ homecoming night.

Donathan Taylor led the attack for the ‘Jackets with 124 rushing yards and two ground scores, and added a 55-yard punt return touchdown. The Williamstown defense held the Crusaders to 54 yards of total offense.

With the home stands packed despite the cold, rainy conditions, the Yellowjackets scored on their first drive. After Taylor set the offense up with a 23-yard punt return to the Catholic 47, quarterback Trenton Tallman took off on a 27-yard jaunt over the left side on a third-and-1 play for a first-and-goal. Tallman picked up a fumbled snap on second-and-goal from the 4 and plowed through a crowd of players to record the game’s first six points. Boston Caruthers added the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 6:17 remaining in the first.

The Crusaders picked up a first down on an Alec Hinton pass to Jeb Boice on their ensuing possession, but Williamstown’s dominant defensive line stepped the fore shortly afterwards. Hinton attempted to run left on an option play, but was smashed by ‘Jacket senior defensive end Bryce Mefford, and his big hit forced a fumble. Carter Haynes picked up the ball for Williamstown, and rambled 40 yards down the sideline for the defensive touchdown. The score stood at 14-0 at the end of the first.

Both teams had difficulty moving the ball in the slippery conditions in the second quarter – the teams combined for 12 fumbles on the night – but the ‘Jackets succeeded in making things happen with defense and special teams. Mefford blocked a punt to give Williamstown great field position early in the stanza, but the Crusader defense held for a three-and-out. Tim Wickham then picked off a Hinton pass to start another drive inside PCHS territory, and this time Williamstown cashed in with an eight-play, 46-yard drive. Tallman found Darren Hastings wide open in the right side of the end zone for a 17-yard scoring toss. A bad snap caused the PAT to fail, and it was 20-0 at the half.

It did not take long for Williamstown to extend the lead after the intermission. On the third play of the ‘Jackets’ first second-half drive, Taylor took a handoff over the left side, followed his blockers excellently, and burst past everyone for a 58-yard TD scamper. The Crusaders blocked the extra point to keep the score at 26-0.

After a penalty forced PCHS to start its next drive from inside the 10, Ryan Roedersheimer was forced to punt from the back of his own end zone, and he chose wisely to step out for a safety.

Another three-play scoring drive ensued for the hosts. On third-and-11, Taylor took a handoff over the right side this time, and once again his blocking showed him daylight. He didn’t stop until crossing the goal line for a 31-yard touchdown run.

Freshman Taylor rounded out his night when he fielded a Roedersheimer punt after PC’s next possession, and raced 55 yards down the right side.

With a running fourth quarter clock, the Crusaders salvaged some pride with a couple of late scores. Williamstown’s punter could not handle a bad snap in the end zone and Christian Tallman fell on it for the visitors’ first score with 4:47 remaining. Hinton then picked up a Williamstown fumble and returned it 31 yards for a second Crusader TD. Both two-point conversion tries failed.

It was a good showing for the PCHS defense, which held the ‘Jackets to 164 total yards; well below their average.

The Yellowjackets, (7-2), are off next week, and next travel for a tough road contest at Tolsia on Nov. 4. The 3-5 Crusaders also have a difficult road test, visiting undefeated Gilmer County on Friday.

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