WK 2 (1-0) Minford @ (0-1) Wellston

[Incognito]

Always tough to win at Wellston. Good Luck Rockets the rest of the way

[X8XOHIOLEGENDX7X]

alright ima try to be a good sport here but i have to say something.

THIS GAME WELL NOT THE GAME BUT THE REF'S WE'RE STRAIGHT BS.

ima stay away from this post cause may get me in trouble good job minford but truely it shoulda been the other way. congrats thou and glgl..

[MuletownManiac]

Let me just start this game off by saying congrats to the 2008-09 Minford team for beating Wellston for the first time at Wellston. Now, I am absoultely outraged and sick about the Referees that were in charge of this game, I have never (and I have watched alot of High School Football) seen such a bunch of clowns trying to call a game as these guys. I think that Wellston fans will agree, these guys couldnt figure out who called what, why and what number did it. There were multiple calls that, one official would call and then they all would confer for about 5 min and change their minds. 1 of the refs couldnt even run with the play to see what was going on, he was so out of shape. I just hope that this crew gets graded on this game and is never allowed to do a game together again. With that said, this game was an absolute battle from the beginning and was very physical each and every play. I think that Wellston will win a 6-7 games this year and their #44 and #20 are very good ball players. Thank you to the Wellston fans for the good hospitality.

[RogueWarrior1965]

This was a hard fought game tonight. I dont think you will hear the Minford faithful complain about the officials anymore.

I beg to differ. Our d-ends were held almost every play, especially on anything on the outside and it was right in front of the refs. I heard it was bad against Jackson last week and then again this week. I typically do not dog refs but tonight was pretty bad. Between missed calls, multiple conferences, not getting out of the way of receivers that were running pass routes, incosistencies, etc., this just was not a well refereed game. I am sure Wellston will question a couple of calls but from my angle on film, the one punt did appear to hit a Wellston player. Not sure about the fumble in the end zone. While it would have made the game closer, there is no guarantees Wellston would have got the 2 pt conversion and there still would have been time left, not to mention potential overtime, so no one can say how that call affected the game.

Either way, it was a hard fought game and Minford wins one in Wellston for the first time. For whatever reason, Minford has always had difficulty in Wellston.

[X8XOHIOLEGENDX7X]

Let me just start this game off by saying congrats to the 2008-09 Minford team for beating Wellston for the first time at Wellston. Now, I am absoultely outraged and sick about the Referees that were in charge of this game, I have never (and I have watched alot of High School Football) seen such a bunch of clowns trying to call a game as these guys. I think that Wellston fans will agree, these guys couldnt figure out who called what, why and what number did it. There were multiple calls that, one official would call and then they all would confer for about 5 min and change their minds. 1 of the refs couldnt even run with the play to see what was going on, he was so out of shape. I just hope that this crew gets graded on this game and is never allowed to do a game together again. With that said, this game was an absolute battle from the beginning and was very physical each and every play. I think that Wellston will win a 6-7 games this year and their #44 and #20 are very good ball players. Thank you to the Wellston fans for the good hospitality.

thnx for atleast agreeing here i mean how can you take the ball from 1 team give it back then take it again come on what kind of bs is this. and i was in view of praters run and i believe he crossed the line. NO TOUCHBACK .... good luck minford but still shoulda been our's ..

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Here is the report on the Minford-Wellston game for those who are interested. Since Wellston is the team in our coverage area, it was written from that angle of course. I've had two straight Friday games in which some of the most unusual things have occurred.

Anyway, enjoy the piece. BTW, if the PDT got something on this game, they didn't contact me about it like they have in the past. Didn't hear a peep out of them all night. They can make arrangements with other papers to get information/stories/photos. I do that as well as other papers. So if the PDT has something, it didn't come from me.

Breaks don’t go way of Wellston

By PAUL BOGGS
Sports Editor

WELLSTON — The Wellston High School football team endured some unlucky breaks on Friday night against the Minford Falcons.

The consequence was an unlucky 13th straight on-the-field loss.

The Golden Rockets saw a poor Minford punt, as well as a potential tying touchdown, bounce the wrong way on Friday as Minford won 21-13 at C.H. Jones Field in Wellston.

The loss, which was Wellston’s 13th straight on-the-field, leaves this year’s Golden Rockets remaining winless at 0-2.

Minford, meanwhile, moved to 2-0, and captured its first ever victory over Wellston at C.H. Jones Field.

Last season, the Falcons soared past the Golden Rockets 61-20, scoring the most points against the Rockets in any of Wellston’s 13 losses.

On Friday, they hit 21, including 14 in the first eight minutes of the game.

The 21 points matches the second-lowest total that the Rockets have allowed in any of the past 13 tilts.

“I believe our kids outplayed Minford’s kids,” said Wellston coach Jason Mantell. “And I do not mean that in a derogatory manner to Minford. They got the win and I congratulate them. But I really feel for maybe the second time since I’ve been here that we outplayed the opponent.”

Still, Wellston was once again forced to play from behind, but rallied with all 13 of their points in the second period to trail by just one at halftime.

Then came the long — long — third quarter, which was prolonged by players suffering cramps, broken chains, and multiple conferences among the game’s officials.

None of those officials’ meetings, though, loomed larger than the one midway through the third.

With the Falcons facing a 4th-and-5 at the Wellston 40-yard-line, Minford opted to punt and pin the Rockets deep.

However, the punt barely got off the ground, and appeared to perhaps even hit a player before Minford downed the ball 20 yards downfield.

As it turned out, the officials ruled — after twice reversing their call — that the ball had hit Wellston’s Chris Howison and therefore made it live.

Thus, Minford was re-awarded the football, which was the initial ruling much to the dismay of Mantell.

“I wish I could explain it to you,” he said. “Unfortunately, not a whole lot was explained to me and time after time I asked. I thought it hit one of their players, but I’m just disappointed that it took three tries to get it right. There’s no instant replay. Call it the first way and stick with it.”

The favored Falcons took advantage of a new opportunity, cutting their field position in half and scoring six plays later on a 4-yard run by Brandon McCormick.

Henry Allen’s third of three successful extra point kicks made it 21-13 with 3:25 to play in the period.

But, that was not the last of the breaks which went against Wellston.

Following a Falcon fumble and a Rocket recovery with 6:40 remaining, the Rockets drove the ball inside the 10-yard-line for the potential tying score.

On second down from just inside the 10, freshman Jaylen Prater took the handoff and headed toward the end zone, and appeared to be in for the touchdown when the ball was knocked loose.

The pigskin pounced all the way through the end zone and beyond the pylon, thus making it a touchback and the Falcons’ football at the 20-yard line.

“I thought he crossed the goalline, the kids believe he did and Jaylen told me he crossed and I believe him,” said Mantell. “Jaylen has been nothing but honest with us. He’s not going to lie.”

The missed opportunity occurred with 2:17 remaining, although Mantell begged to differ with the officials’ ruling.

“I’m just disappointed that the kids didn’t get to decide the ballgame,” stated Mantell. “I feel like our kids and Minford’s kids should have been given the opportunity to do that. Unfortunately, I don’t think they were.”

However, the Falcons lost their other fumble just two plays later, giving the Rockets one last refueling at the Minford 26.

But four plays resulted in just two yards, as quarterback Cody Wilkett threw back-to-back incomplete passes on third and fourth downs.

Despite the final score, the Rockets won the overall statistical battle.

Wellston held a 19-15 edge in first downs, ran 63 to 48 plays from scrimmage, outrushed the Falcons 259-220, and outgained Minford overall 306-291.

The Rockets also punted only twice compared to four for the Falcons.

Although, the only outcome that truly matters is what is on the scoreboard, and Minford made things easier on itself with a 14-0 lead just 7:47 in.

“We dug ourselves a hole early, which since I’ve been the head coach here, is something that we’ve done frequently,” said Mantell. “That is something we have to remedy and I take that on my shoulders.”

The favored Falcons took the opening kickoff and drove seven plays and 64 yards, capped off by a 3-yard run by sophomore Mark Slone.

The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard keeper by quarterback Aaron Oesch.

Just three minutes in, Minford held a 7-0 advantage.

The Rockets then drove inside the Falcons’ 30, but Wilkett was intercepted by Ethan Butcher, who returned the ball back to the Falcon 37.

Minford then marched to the beat of a similar drum as it did on its first possession.

This time to the tune of six plays, which was finished off by a 13-yard run by McCormick.

Oesch made another big play on the second drive, this time with his arm, completing a 37-yard pass to Cory McKnight.

“We just have to read keys better,” said Mantell. “When we play these misdirection, guard-pulling teams, we struggle with them for whatever reason. All we can do is go back to the drawing board and do better.”

The Rockets did just that trailing 14-0.

Marching a dozen plays and 66 yards themselves, Matt Lockard cut the deficit in half with just a minute-and-a-half elapsed in the second.

He took a toss sweep to the left 10 yards for a touchdown, then booted the extra point as his shoe went flying.

The Rockets racked up five first downs on the drive, including a 20-yard pickup by Prater off tackle.

Wellston was not done in the first half, though.

Following the Falcons’ first punt of the night, the Rockets drove 11 plays and 84 yards, and closed the gap to 14-13 with a Wilkett 2-yard sneak with 2:22 remaining.

Wellston was aided in the drive by back-to-back 13-yard runs, a 21-yard pass from Wilkett to junior Jeff Matteson, and a preceding personal foul penalty on the Falcons.

Lockard missed the extra point, though, as the score stood 14-13 at halftime.

“We fought back, cut it to 14-13 and outgained them and outplayed them in the first half,” said Mantell.

In the third period, the two teams traded a pair of punts, with the Rockets going three-and-out on each series.

Minford’s second punt, however, as poor as it was, turned out to be good fortune for the Falcons and will be remembered for years to come.

The Rockets’ initial response to the 21-13 deficit was another 12-play drive, but Wellston stalled on downs at the Minford 22.

The Blue and Gold gained 54 yards to the Falcons’ 13, but Wilkett was sacked for a nine-yard loss on third down.

Wellston then had the ball inside the 30 two more times, including on Prater’s run from the nine, but failed to tie the game.

Lockard led the Rockets — and all rushers — with 101 yards on 22 carries, as Prater added 93 on 13 totes.

Wilkett wound up with 46 yards rushing and 47 yards passing, including three receptions by Matteson for 36 yards.

Slone, in addition to 81 yards on 10 carries, made a key reception for 26 yards.

McCormick managed 58 yards on 13 attempts, and Oesch added 40 yards on eight rushes.

“We played more of an athletic 4-4, we just felt it was a better look against Minford,” said Mantell. “We stacked their ends inside and I felt we did a decent job. I think the 50 gave them some problems.”

In the end, though, the Rockets remained on the losing side of the scoreboard.

“For whatever reason, it just seems that we can not get over the hump,” said Mantell. “That’s what it boils down to. This is a tough time in Wellston football history, and if people want to point fingers, that’s their choice. Our kids came off this field very disappointed, but they believe they can win. They work hard every day and they aren’t shutting down. They are going to find a way to win. We still have a lot of opportunities and goals ahead of us, and we ask our community for continued support.”

Wellston will travel to Waverly, which lost to visiting Jackson 27-20 on Friday (see related story), next week.

[email protected]

[biggdowgg]

we will be watching the Minford, and valley threads close, so please let the subject of the William boys stop, and let it be handled by the right people.

lets get back to talking football..

thanks.

[biggdowgg]

Thats why we have been told , to put a stop to it, there have been warnings sent ,and if it continues we have been told to start removing usernames, we just want people to talk football, and kep it clean, thats all, removing people is the last thing we want, sometimes we have no choice, or we.....I mean, Mattash, could get into some trouble

lets talk about week 3 now

[bushmaster24]

why was post taken off did not mention the boys , just making a point ..