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‘He keeps getting better’: Cunningham leads ‘Jackets past Hawks, 40-8

By Kerry Patrick 6 min read

WILLIAMSTOWN - Waiting out an eligibility issue whether Daniel Cunningham would become a member of the Williamstown football program is paying dividends two years later.

Friday night at Williamstown High School, the Yellowjacket sophomore scored on touchdown runs of 71 yards and 54 yards and finished with 167 yards on just 11 carriers in a 40-8 win over South Harrison.

Cunningham attends Wood County Christian. Since the school does not field a football team, he was eligible to join a team in his district, according to the WVSSAC. However, the two high school governing bodies from Ohio and West Virginia didn't come to an immediate conclusion until his eighth grade season was several weeks old.

"I heard about Daniel during his eighth grade year - I wasn't involved, but the OHSAA and WVSSAC had to work together," Beck said. "Everything was in limbo. I'm glad they made a decision.

"I was worried about his durability, but that hasn't been an issue. He keeps getting better every week. I actually underestimated how tough and coachable he was. And how competitive he is. I knew he was a super athlete and was electric with the ball in his hands. I knew he would be good."

Other than the final series of the game when the outcome was already determined and the reserves subbing in, Williamstown was 6-for-6 converting offensive possessions into touchdowns against South Harrison.

After the game's opening series resulted in the lone punt of the night by either team, the Yellowjackets ambushed the Hawks with Cunningham's 71-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage.

Williamstown defensive lineman Jaden Brooks recovered a fumble on the ensuing drive. The Yellowjackets then covered 50 yards in just four plays - capped by a 41-yard TD reception by Trenton Hall from quarterback Breck Allen.

Allen later threw a second TD pass - an 8-yarder to Tyrell Miller late in the third quarter - to give him 12 for the year with no interceptions. The junior finished 7-of-11 for 97 yards passing. He accounted for both Williamstown second-half TDs on runs of 14 and 1 yard.

"Breck's development from last season to this year is unbelievable," Beck said. "I'm very proud for what he is doing and the decisions he is making.

"He is doing a great job with the ball. He is taking care of the ball."

Williamstown's defense rose to the occasion on the very first play of the second quarter - making a goal-line stand by holding South Harrison's top rusher Shepard Paugh to one yard on fourth-and-2 from the Yellowjacket 4.

The Yellowjackets then marched 97 yards in 10 plays. Cunningham's number got called to complete the drive on a 54-yard run. He used his two offensive linemen - Miles Flanigan and Christian Hoosier - as a shield for practically half the distance.

"Running behind those guys is a blessing," Cunningham said. "They are the best linemen in the state. I'm just reading their blocks and just doing all I can to get touchdowns for them.

Cunningham gained 156 yards on just eight carries by halftime as Williamstown built a 27-8 cushion. The Williamstown family has welcomed him in as one of their own.

"There's an alley right back there behind the stadium and I just walk here," Cunningham smiled. "Williamstown did a great job welcoming me. Coach Beck and all the coaches, my teammates - they all have been great."

The only score allowed by Williamstown occurred midway in the second quarter. A 48-yard run by Zane Harlow later set up a 4-yard TD run by Xavier Tustin. The two-point conversion cut the deficit to 21-8 with 4:50 still remaining before halftime - enough time for one more Yellowjacket scoring opportunity.

Allen connected with Tyrell Miller on an 8-yard TD pass with 1:16 left on the clock.

Paugh led all South Harrison rushers in the first half with 84 yards rushing, but stayed on the sidelines for the entire second half because of a concussion protocol. For the game, Harlow led the Hawks with 99 yards on the ground.

Now the stage is set for next Friday's showdown in West Union between Williamstown and Doddridge County. First off, the title of Little Kanawha Conference champions is at stake.

"We take pride in winning LKC titles," Beck said. "You have Roane (County) and Doddridge who are the top five or six teams in the state in Class AA). Then you have Wahama, who is one of the top two or three teams in the state in Class A. So we take a lot of pride in that."

With a win over Roane County earlier this season, Williamstown is seeking major points against a Doddridge County team which is 6-1 after Friday's 26-0 shutout over Braxton County.

"We were able to start off fast tonight against South Harrison and finish them off, but it's a short-lived celebration because (Saturday) morning we start getting set for Doddridge," Beck said. "Doddridge has a lot of weapons. They are a very physical and well-coached team. They are going to run it right at you.

"Our guys have to step up and respond. It's going to be a challenge in practice for them all week because we know we are in for a dogfight."

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

At Williamstown High School

Williamstown 40, South Harrison 8

SH (4-4) 0 8 0 0 - 8

WHS (7-0) 14 13 7 6 - 40

First Quarter

W: Daniel Cunningham 71 run (Carter Hoops kick), 8:04

W: Trenton Hall 41 pass from Breck Allen (Hoops kick), 3:31

Second Quarter'

W: Cunningham 54 run (Hoops kick), 7:34

SH: Xavier Tustin 4 run (Zane Harlow run), 4:50

W: Tyrell Miller 8 pass from Allen (run failed), 1:16

Third Quarter

W: Allen 14 run (Hoops kick), 9:38

Fourth Quarter

W: Allen 1 run (Hoops kick), 8:41

Team Stats

South Harrison. First downs: 13. Rushes-yards: 40-260. Passing yards: 12. Total yards: 272. Passing: 2-7-0. Punts: 1-43.0. Penalties: 5-30. Fumbles: 2-1.

Williamstown. First downs: 18. Rushes-yards: 30-311. Passing yards: 97. Total yards: 408. Passing: 7-11-0. Punts: 0-0. Penalties: 6-35. Fumbles: 0-0.

Individual Leaders

South Harrison. Rushing: Zane Harlow 12-99, Shepard Paugh 11-89, Xavier Tustin 8-50, Lucas Nutt 4-18, Kayden Beaty 5-9. Passing: Lucas Nutt 2-7-0, 12 yards. Receiving: Xavier Tustin 1-11, Kayden Beaty 1-1

Williamstown. Daniel Cunningham 12-167, Breck Allen 13-120, John Amrine 2-17. Carter Hoops 1-3. Passing: Breck Alllen 7-11-0, 97 yards. Receiving: Trenton Hall 1-41, Tyrell Miller 2-18, Jack Moore 1-9, JP Strobl 1-9, Daniel Cunningham 1-8,. Mason Kern 1-12.

Next game: Williamstown at Doddridge County, 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 23); Tyler Consolidated at South Harrison, 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 23).

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