Scots' shutouts continue

[clecinosu]

Columbus Walnut Ridge 25, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 0

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Walnut Ridge scored 19 points in the first quarter and overpowered the Pataskala Watkins Memorial Warriors 25-0 Friday night in non-conference action in Columbus.

Walnut Ridge (2-0) has outscored its first two opponents by a total score of 63-0, and Friday its early offense and stalwart defense was much too much for Watkins Memorial (1-1). The Scots chalked up 416 yards of total offense, 294 of it in the first half, while holding the Warriors to just 71 yards on the night and just four net yards of offense in the first half.

The Scots held Watkins to just four first downs in the game and didn't allow a first down until the third quarter. Walnut Ridge also controlled the clock by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, 31:41 to 16:19.

The Scots took the lead on their first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Mike Jones pitched the ball to running back Gary Russell, who threw a perfect strike to receiver Ernie Wheelwright, who then outran the Watkins defense for an 87-yard touchdown just under two minutes in.

Walnut Ridge scored again less than four minutes later, when on a fourth down and 3 call, Jones carried the ball around the left side and through the Watkins Memorial defense 33 yards to the end zone. Jones and Wheelwright connected on another fourth and 3 call, Jones hitting the senior receiver from 12 yards out with just under two minutes left in the first period.

The Scots put the ball in the end zone again with 11 seconds left in the first half, when Russell capped a nine-play, 39-yard drive with a one-yard run.

Watkins drove into Walnut Ridge territory four times, their best chance at a score coming on consecutive drives in the third and fourth quarter. The Warriors drove 34 yards on 11 plays to the Scots' 23, but Kyle Coleman's 40-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Watkins got the ball back on the next Walnut Ridge drive when Greg Antill picked off Jones and took the ball back 51 yards to the Scots' 25, but Coleman, replacing starting quarterback Brett Tanzillo, threw an incomplete pass intended for Dan Shull on fourth down.

Chaz Crowell and Russell each had over 100 yards rushing for the Scots, Crowell leading all rushers with 109 yards on 22 carries and Russell gaining 106 yards on 19 totes. Jones completed 2-of-9 passes for 14 yards with one touchdown and Wheelwright caught two passes, both for touchdowns, and 99 yards. In his first two games, Wheelwright has caught four passes for 155 yards, all for touchdowns.

Tanzillo completed 4-of-13 passes for 20 yards and Coleman 1-of-8 for 32 yards for Watkins Memorial. Jason Wright led the receiving corps with three catches for 38 yards while Shull added one 18-yard reception. Antill carried four times for 16 yards while Jason Wright had eight rushes for 15 to lead the Warrior ball carriers.

Watkins Memorial........0.....0.....0.....0.............0
Walnut Ridge.............19.....6.....0.....0...........2 5

SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
WR - Ernie Wheelwright 87 pass from Gary Russell (Steve Whitson kick), 10:01. (1 play, 87 yards, TOP 0:15)
WR - Mike Jones 33 run (kick failed), 6:10. (6 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:44)
WR - E.Wheelwright 12 pass from Mike Jones (run failed), 1:52. (7 plays, 30 yards, TOP 3:18)
SECOND QUARTER
WR - Gary Russell 1 run (pass failed), :11. (9 plays, 39 yards, TOP 3:20)

STATISTICS...........................WM........... .WR
First Downs................................4............ ..21
Rushes-Yards.......................19-19.......55-315
Passing Yards............................52...........101
Comp-Att-Int.......................5-21-1.......3-10-1
Total Offense............................71............4 16
Punts-Avg...........................7-29.9........3-26.7
Fumbles-Lost...........................1-0............1-1
Penalties-Yards......................4-40..........7-65
Possession Time...................16:19........31:41

RUSHING: Watkins Memorial - Greg Antill 4-16, Jason Wright 8-15, Kyle Coleman 4-2, Steve Buehler 1-(minus-2), Brett Tanzillo 2-(minus-12); Walnut Ridge - Chaz Crowell 22-109, Gary Russell 19-106, Mike Jones 2-51, Aaron Lawson 3-22, Sean Randall 3-11, Ernie Wheelwright 1-10, Kevin Randall 4-8, Tejuan Files 1-(minus-2).

PASSING: Watkins Memorial - Brett Tanzillo 4-13-1-20, Kyle Coleman 1-8-0-32; Walnut Ridge - Mike Jones 2-9-1-14, Gary Russell 1-1-0-87.

RECEIVING: Watkins Memorial - Jason Wright 3-38, Dan Shull 1-18, Greg Antill 1-(minus-4); Walnut Ridge - Ernie Wheelwright 2-99, Kevin Randall 1-2.

INTERCEPTIONS: Watkins Memorial - Greg Antill 1-51. Walnut Ridge - Terrell Howell 1-14.