South falls at Woodrow Wilson, 44-25
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BECKLEY -- By now it's no secret that Gage Burdette and Javontae Wynes bring plenty of physical ability to the field.
On Friday, their leadership ability came to the fore when Woodrow Wilson needed it most.
The Flying Eagles rode a dominant first half to a 24-0 lead at the break before Parkersburg South turned things completely around. But it was repeated big plays by Burdette and Wynes that kept the Patriots from getting too close and preserved a 44-25 win on Pete Culicerto Field at Van Meter Stadium.
The Flying Eagles (3-0), who were playing at home for the first time this season, were in complete control in the first half. They scored on their first four possessions (the fifth was only one play to end the half), and the defense forced two punts -- one was blocked by Levi Picha -- two turnovers on downs and Wynes' interception in the final 15 seconds.
But things turned sharply in the third quarter. The Flying Eagles turned the ball over on the third play and the Patriots (0-3) looked like a different team on offense. Quarterback Logen Arnold's 3-yard touchdown capped off a 15-play drive and got the Patriots on the board. That was the first of four straight drives that resulted in Patriots TDs as they got back in a game that had looked out of reach.
"We've got to learn to finish," Flying Eagles coach Street Sarrett said. "You've got people down, you've got your foot on the throat and let them back in. Turn the ball over, miss tackles. Missed tackle after missed tackle.
"But adversity set in and they fought through, came through, got the win."
Burdette and Wynes had plenty to do with that. Burdette's 67-yard gain set up quarterback Gage Price's 2-yard TD run. Wynes got around right end on third-and-7 and raced for a 56-yard touchdown. Burdette took an onside kick -- the Patriots tried four in the second half -- and returned it 65 yards for a score. Wynes' second interception with 3:15 to go finally helped the Flying Eagles seal the deal.
"I feel like me and him always push each other in practice," said Burdette, who finished with 12 carries for 128 yards. "When he's doing good, it pushes me to be better, and when I’m doing good, it pushes him to be better. So we’re always playing good together."
Wynes wound up carrying 13 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns.
"They did a great job of jumping out in front, doing what they do best," Patriots coach Larry Thompson said of his team's deficit. "They’re in the double wing, they run the (heck) out of counter, and our kids are just not ready for it. We worked it all week, but we've just got to do a better job intensifying reps during the week, being a little bit more physical. I think they outphysicaled us this evening."
Picha benefited from his blocked punt by catching a 23-yard touchdown pass from Price that put the Flying Eagles ahead 21-0.
Kicker Vince Umberger -- who made sure opening field possession was not a Patriots advantage by placing six kickoffs in the end zone -- had a 32-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the first half.
The Patriots had two 100-yard rushers in Kooper Jackson (23 carries for 108) and Yost (9 for 103). Arnold completed 16 of 29 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots will host city rival Parkersburg next Friday, Sept. 18.
Woodrow will travel to Herbert Hoover.