Preston leans on rushing attack to beat Buckhannon-Upshur 34-0

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In what has been a difficult season for the Preston High football team, another set of challenges was thrown its way Thursday night as it hosted Buckhannon-Upshur.

Not only was the game played at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium at University High (due to safety issues at Knights Stadium), but the entire game was played in a miserable driving mist.

In circumstances like those, a team can either surrender or prevail, and from the opening whistle, the Knights seemed to shout “We shall overcome,” as they displayed total control on both sides of the ball. They jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead on the way to a satisfying 34-0 victory.

Preston (2-7) took the opening kickoff and utilized junior Easton Gibbs in the Wildcat formation to great success, as it shredded the B-U defense on a 55-yard drive in five quick plays, culminating in Gibbs’ first varsity touchdown on a power run from the 9-yard line.

After Buckhannon-Upshur (1-5) went three-and-out, then muffed the punt snap, the Knights were ideally set up on the B-U 12, where Gibbs swept on the left end and nicked the pylon from the 8-yard line for his second trip to the end zone.

Preston fans knew things were going their team’s way when the point after snap went awry, but holder Zach Riffle alertly scooped the ball and sprinted around on the right end for the two-point conversion and a 15-0 lead.

The PHS defense turned in another three-and-out (one of eight B-U possessions of three plays or less in the game), and once again, the offense converted.

The Knights’ 10-play, 62-yard drive was finished off when quarterback Trevor Thomas found slot receiver Todd Fraley on a quick slant for a 12-yard touchdown pass to establish an impressive 21-0 first quarter lead.
An exchange of second quarter punts, with the Bucs’ version partially blocked, gave the Knights another golden opportunity to score at the B-U 23, and Gibbs (on his way to a productive 115-yard day on just 15 carries) picked up his third rushing score of the half with a 7-yard burst off the right tackle.

B-U finally put together a drive, aided by a muffed punt snap that was converted into a 20-yard pass — which might’ve been the team’s largest gain of the day — and a pair of personal foul calls against the Knights.
The drive stalled, and the 32-yard field goal attempt missed. With 1:31 left, Thomas, who finished his efficient day 8 of 9 for 77 yards and a touchdown, quickly guided his team into B-U territory, but the drive ended with an interception.

B-U tried to get back in the game in the second half, but its drive ended with a big stuff by the stout PHS defensive line on 4th and 2 from the PHS 32.

From there, it took just four plays for the Knights to dispel any doubts, a 44-yard jet sweep from Brendon Pacholke was the big play of the drive. Fullback Ayden Bishoff ripped off a 24-yard run down to the 1, then he bulled in on the next play to cap the scoring.

After the game, the drenched, yet equally pleased Preston coach Jonathan Tennant revealed that the inclement weather actually played into the team’s offensive game plan perfectly.

“We knew they hadn’t played in a while,” he explained, “and we wanted to give them the Wildcat look, something they hadn’t seen before. It also gave our line a chance to really fire off the ball and establish themselves, and they were tremendous all night.”

Gibbs agreed wholeheartedly.

“Those guys opened up huge holes all game,” he said, “and man, it was fun out there. I knew I was going to get some reps tonight because of injuries, and I just wanted to make the most of my opportunities. And the line made it easy for me. It was great, after losing last week on this field (to UHS), to come back down here and get a win.”

Tennant was also quick to credit his defense, which limited B-U to just 20 yards of total offense beyond the broken play off the mishandled punt, but he also wasn’t surprised.

“I noticed right from pregame warmups that the defense was especially sharp,” he said. “They were making all the right reads, were in perfect position, and communicated perfectly. And it carried over in the game. With everything we’ve been through this season, it sure is nice for the kids to celebrate this win and to be excited and looking forward to next week.”
The Knights are set to conclude their season when they “host” Brooke at 7 p.m. Friday at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium.

Buckhannon-Upshur 0 0 0 0 — 0
Preston                   21 6 7 0 — 34
SCORING SUMMARY
1 Q – PHS Easton Gibbs 9 run (Trevor Thomas kick)
PHS Gibbs 8 run (try Zach Riffle run)
PHS Todd Fraley 12 pass from Thomas (kick missed)
2 Q – PHS Gibbs 7 run (kick missed)
3Q – PHS Ayden Bishoff 1 run (#42 kick)
PASSING
BU – Ian Donnen 5-14-0 20
PHS –Thomas 8-9-1 77 TD
RUSHING
BU – Jayden Owens 15-12, Donnen 6-9, Elijah Bryant 1-1, Sterlin Thropp 2-1, Savion Farmer 1-(-1), Liam Garcia 1-(-2) Total 26-20.
PHS- Bishoff 4-35 TD, Gibbs 15-115 3TD, Brendon Pacholke 3-74 Thomas 1-(-1), Jaxson Lewis 2-9, Richard Layton 7-22, Dillon Taylor 8-27, Ethan Harper 2-4, Gauge Lantz 1-5, Zeb Hardesty 1-5, Robert Lilly 1-14 Total 45-309 4TD.
RECEIVING
BU – Owens 2-(-4), Thropp 2-4, Riley Carr 1-20
PHS – Lewis 3-29, Fraley 3-27 TD, Riffle 1-8, Gibbs 1-13
INTERCEPTION
BU – 1 (Carr)