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Waynesville football defeats East Clinton 14-0

Friday, 22 August 2008

By SARAH CLARK

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WAYNESVILLE — After losing 30 yards on both sides of the ball due to penalties, the Waynesville High School football team was able to settle in and move the football to pick up a 14-0 win over East Clinton on Friday.

Strings of dead-ball fouls kept the WHS offense from getting started in the first quarter. The Spartans were finally able to get some momentum in the second quarter with a couple big runs and big passes.

The first WHS score came when Cory Young hooked up with Chase Gianattasio for 69 yards and the TD. Max Gabbard tacked on the extra point to put WHS up 7-0.

On the ensuing EC drive, the Astros were able to pick up a first down but a penalty and a sack put the team back at fourth and 27. EC punted and the Spartans again put together a solid drive to score.

Kyle Keegan carried for 13 yards and a first down, then Young hit Devon Burton for 29 yards and carried the ball 8 yards himself to bring his team to the EC 22. Young then hit Brady Deters for 7 yards and packed it in the final 15 himself for the score. Gabbard again tacked on the PAT for the 14-0 lead.

“We gave up the two big plays and it cost us. It was definitely the difference in the ball game,” said EC head coach Matt Hodge.

The Astro defense was able tighten back up and hold the Spartans scoreless the remaining two quarters of football.

“I give a lot of credit to my staff,” said Hodge. “And the kids executed.”

The EC offense came within scoring distance twice in the contest and was unable to convert. The team came within 1 yard, but was held just shy of the goal line in the fourth quarter.

Leading the EC offense was Steve McFadden who led all rushing with 125 yards. After nearly being knocked unconscious early in the first quarter and battling some serious stomach upheaval, the EC senior still pushed through the game for a solid rushing and defensive performance.

“What a battle. He is fighting some dehydration issues and he kept playing and plugging,” said Hodge. “I can’t say enough about that kids effort tonight.”

EC quarterback Chris Moore threw for 26 yards on the evening — the longest a 10-yarder to Matt Williams to set up the team’s near-scoring drive to the WHS 1.

Also for EC, Matt McFadden and Nate Smith played solid defensively.

“Matt was a leader. He battled all four quarters,” said the coach.

The now 0-1 Astros will have to go back to work in preparation for next week’s Southern Buckeye Conference opener at home against Williamsburg.

Hodge said he hopes this game will prepare his Astros to enter league play.

“We battled a good team and hopefully that will get us started on the right foot,” said Hodge.

SUMMARY

EC 0 0 0 0 — 0

WHS 0 14 0 0 — 0

RUSHING

EAST CLINTON — S. McFadden 125-23; Moore 6-5; Miller 32-10.

WAYNESVILLE — Young 93-15; Millar 86-8; Keegan 27-5; Patrick 4-2; Hernandez 10-1.

RECEIVING