Knights recall last meeting against 'Jackets
Thursday, December 1, 2005
By JIM BUTTA - The Parkersburg News & The Parkersburg Sentinel

WHEELING-Elephants are noted for having long memories.

Well, so do Maroon Knights.

"Our seniors were only sophomores that year, but they remember," said Wheeling Central head football coach Mike Young.

What the Maroon Knights are remembering is their last meeting with the maroon and gold from Williamstown High School.

Billed as an early season showdown between the two favorites to win the 2003 Class A state title, the Yellowjackets pounded their rivals from the upper Ohio Valley by a 34-15 score, elevating themselves into the favorite's role and sending shock waves around Ohio County.

But, like the old joke says, something happened on the way to Wheeling Island Stadium.

Wheeling Central was knocked off in the semifinal round by perennial state finalist Moorefield, who followed that victory with a 20-18 win over the Yellowjackets in the championship game seven days later.

"What we remember most about that team is that they had two outstanding athletes," continued Young, who took over for long time Central coach Jim Thomas this year. "We thought we had a chance to win, but they just continue to pound the ball against our defense and we never got in the game."

Last season the two teams were to meet in the regular season again, but this time the scheduled contest at Yellowjacket field was cancelled when flooding hit the Mid-Ohio Valley playing havoc with property, lives and athletics.

The game was never rescheduled and the anticipated matchup in the 2004 championship game never materialized when Madonna knocked off the Yellowjackets in the semifinal round.

"It's going to be a great matchup," added the coach. "A matchup that a lot of people have been waiting to see for a couple of years."

A matchup between two teams that are mirror images of one another.

"They like to run the football and we like to run the football," said Williamstown head coach Terry Smith. "They like to stop the run on defense and we like to stop the run on defense."

Both offensives are built around pushing rushers. The Knights feature junior Brandon Tucker, who has rushed for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns on 232 attempts, while Williamstown will counter with senior Tyler Lowers, a returning first-team all-state selection that has rushed for 1,745 yards and 19 TDs on 272 carries.

Central, ranked No. 15 in the final WVSSAC poll with a 9-4 mark, can throw the football when it must.

Sophomore quarterback Alex Peluchette has completed 55-of-122 attempts for 741 yards and 8 TDS. But, the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder has also thrown eight interceptions on the season.

The Maroon Knights advanced to their fourth championship game in the last six seasons by defeating No. 2 Greenbrier West in the opening round (41-26), No. 7 Parkersburg Catholic (21-6) in the quarterfinals and No. 6 Tygarts Valley (24-13) in the semifinals.

Williamstown's road was a little less rocky as the No. 1 ranked Yellowjackets disposed of No. 16 Tucker County (67-0) in the first round, then swept past No. 9 Man (26-12) in the quarterfinals. The defending Little Kanawha Conference champions then had to get past LKC rival No. 5 St. Marys in the semifinals, which they accomplished by a score of 17-0.

"Williamstown has a quality program," said Young. "Wheeling Central has a quality program. This has all the makings of a classic matchup between two very similar teams."

The first-year coach is hoping, however, it is the one in maroon and white that is toting home the championship trophy on Saturday night.