Man runnng back Corey Morgan carries the football during the first half of Man's 28-0 loss to Chapmanville on Nov. 4. Morgan rushed for 71 yards in Man's playoff loss to Wheeling Central (Dave Adkins/Dave's Sports Page).
Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports
WHEELING Class A No. 5 Wheeling Central scored on its first six possessions in the first half to defeat 12th ranked Man 41-7 in the first round of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Class A playoffs last Saturday at Wheeling Island Stadium.
The Maroon Knights (9-1), who will face No. 4 Wahama in the quarterfinals at Point Pleasant High School, scored six first half touchdowns on 22 plays.
Running back Lorenzo Ferrera ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns on six carries while Riley Watkins ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns on five carries and had a 15-yard reception for a third score. Isaac Martin rushed for 63 yards on 10 carries and scored one touchdown.
Watkins scored on runs of 18 and 13 yards and Ferrera scored on a 34-yard run in the first quarter as Central lead 21-0 after one quarter of play.
Ferrera added a 58-yard run in the second quarter while Watkins had a 15-yard touchdown reception and Martin tacked on an 11-yard run to give the Maroon Knights a 41-0 advantage after one half of play.
Man avoided the shutout when Kaleb Mullins scored on a 1-yard run with 10:19 to play in the fourth quarter. Jaxon Tipton added the extra point for his 26th consecutive successful point after attempt.
Corey Morgan ran for 71 yards on 12 carries for Man (7-4), making its first playoff appearance in three years. Josh Spriggs ran for 36 yards on four carries, Mullins added 34 yards on eight carries and Jordan Adams rushed for 24 yards on three carries for the Hillbillies.
Jayden Brumfield completed 5 of 12 passes for 6 yards. Chris Isaacs hauled in three receptions for 16 yards for the Hillbillies.
Wheeling Central 41, Man 7
Man 0 0 0 7- 7
WCC 21 20 0 0- 41
First Quarter
W- Watkins 18 run (Tucker kick), 10:51
W- Ferrera 34 run (Tucker kick), 7:09
W- Watkins 13 run (Tucker kick), 1:16
Second Quarter
W- Ferrera 58 run (Tucker kick), 11:35
W- Watkins 15 pass from Hildebrand (Tucker kick), 9:40
W- Martin 11 run (kick failed), 3:44
Fourth Quarter
M- Mullins 1 run (Tipton kick), 10:19