BLACKSVILLE, W.Va. — Friday night at home, the Clay-Battelle football team kept its paper-thin playoff hopes alive by taking care of business, especially in the first quarter, against shorthanded, overmatched Massanutten (Va.) Military Academy with a dominating 45-0 victory. The Colonels’ 27-player roster was missing several seniors who remained at home in preparation for their SAT tests today, so only five reserves occupied their sideline. And the Cee-Bees (5-4) took full advantage.
The opening score early in the first quarter came on a 3-yard pass from Seth Casino to a wide-open Nicholas Rose. Then, in quick order, quarterback Levi Carrico hooked up with Sean Hays on a 56-yard score. After Massanutten (0-8) turned the ball over on downs, Carrico found Cadon Skavinsky behind the secondary for a 43-yard strike to extend the lead to 20-0.
MMA found some success throwing to athletic receiver Anthony Burgess, but Daniel Gorbey caught on, intercepted a pass and weaved his way to a 70-yard pick-6 to make it 26-0. Following a fumble on the subsequent kickoff return, Donnie Stavinsky scored his first career touchdown on a 2-yard off-tackle plunge, upping the score to 33-0.
After Carson Shriver slanted in early in the second quarter to make it 39-0, the final points came late in the fourth quarter when Drew D’Eletto blocked a field goal attempt, scooped it up, and rumbled down the right sideline for an 84-yard touchdown.
After the game, C-B coach Ryan Wilson was pleased with the outcome, especially for his seniors.
“We just went out there executed well and accomplished what we wanted,” he said. “We’ve had eight barn-burners this season … So it was really good to be able to get the young guys in there for some extended varsity action.”
Clay-Battelle closes out the season on the road at Hundred next Friday.
