WK4 Wellston @ Nelsonville-York TVC-Ohio Game

[NYBuckeye96]

http://athensmessenger.com/articles/2009/09/19/sports/high_schools/doc4ab4e45863970728390803.txt

Buckeyes show off passing game in win over Wellston

By KEVIN WISEMAN
Messenger sports editor
Published: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:05 AM EDT

NELSONVILLE — Every team on the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes’ schedule knows to watch out for running back Derek Arnold.

So far it looks like other teams better be ready for the Buckeyes’ passing game as well.

Quarterback Nathan Dean led a balanced attack Friday as the Buckeyes wiped out Wellston 35-6 at Boston Field. Sure, Arnold finished with 111 yards and three touchdowns. But it was Dean who added 100 passing yards and a touchdown.

“We’ve got Derek, everybody on the football team is going to be keying on him,” Nelsonville-York coach Dave Boston Jr. said. “We knew we had to have some other options and we have some good skill kids, they catch the ball well.

“We’ve got to get the ball in those kids’ hands and make plays and take some of the pressure off Derek.”

Dean was 9-for-15 passing and frustrated a Wellston defense that — for the most part — didn’t let Arnold get too many long runs.

The sophomore quarterback’s favorite target was senior tight end Conner Bunting, who had five catches for 65 yards.

Bunting’s best catch came on a 34-yard gain in the second quarter. The Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Tri-Valley Conference Ohio) led 7-6 and Isaiah Andrews took the shotgun snap at quarterback. He ran to his left and Dean — who had been split out wide — ran toward Andrews. Andrews flipped the ball back to Dean, who then fired a pass downfield to Bunting.

Bunting was able to dive back for the ball and barely keep his hands under it for the catch.

“Conner’s a tremendous athlete,” Boston said. “His speed has increased this season. He’s worked hard in the offseason to get that speed down there. He possess tremendous hands and athleticism. He’s just one of those kids that he’s going to catch it no matter where it’s at. If he can touch it, if he can lay a hand on it, he’s going to catch it.”

The long pass play wiped out a second-and-13, and gave the Buckeyes the ball at Wellston’s 38-yard line. Two plays later, facing a second-and-nine, Dean hit Bunting for an eight-yard gain.

From there, it was time to get back to basics and give the ball to Arnold. He carried four of the next five plays, with the last one being a six-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion from Dean to Dustin Young gave Nelsonville-York a 15-6 lead just 2:44 before halftime.

Dean had 62 passing yards at halftime and completed eight of his first 10 attempts.

The Buckeyes dominated the second half, and wasted little time taking control. They opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that ate up 4:23 of the clock. The score increased the lead to 22-6.

Arnold had 25 yards on the drive, and a two-yard touchdown. But the biggest play came on fourth down and eight from Wellston’s 30-yard line. Dean dropped back to pass and found Bunting who rumbled for an 11-yard gain to keep the drive alive.

“We had zero intensity in the second half,” Wellston coach Jason Mantell. “(Nelsonville-York) controlled 90 percent of the game. I wish I had some words of wisdom other than that. They dominated us from the second quarter on, that’s all you can say. Hat’s off to them.

“That’s why they win this conference consecutive years. They have a great program.”

The Buckeyes’ second drive of the third quarter had the same result. They started on Wellston’s 39-yard line, after the Golden Rockets’ attempted fake punt pass was foiled when Bunting deflected the pass.

On third-and-11, Dean struck again, completing a 20-yard pass to fullback Justin Cunningham. Three plays later, Dean hit Daniel Kline for a four-yard touchdown pass, and a 29-6 lead.

“We just had to play our style of football,” Boston said of the third quarter. “We know that this year (Wellston’s) been a second-half football team. They’ve comeback in some games. And we told our kids, this football team knows how to comeback and knows how to fight to get back in them.”

Nelsonville-York’s final touchdown was an impressive 51-yard run by Young. He eluded numerous tackles on his way to the fourth-quarter score.

Wellston (0-4, 0-1 TVC-Ohio) was forced to play yet another game without sophomore running back Jaylen Prater, who’s missed the entire season so far. Without him, the Golden Rockets gained just 207 yards of total offense.

Wellston was able to strike first, taking the opening drive 66 yards for a score. Brad Miller punched in the score from one yard out, giving Wellston a 6-0 lead.

But the Buckeyes had a quick answer in an 18-play, 71-yard drive that ate up 8:02 off the clock. Arnold had nine carries on the drive for 46 yards and a three-yard touchdown.

“That’s always been our gameplan is just sustain drives and eat up clock,” Boston said. “A lot of times it comes out a low scoring game. Tonight we were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes and score a few more points.”

Wellston was led by Austin Osborne who played at running back in place of Prater. He carried for 90 yards on 19 attempts.

“We think he’s done a good job,” Mantell said. “He’s as shifty as any kid that we have, we’re pleased with that.”

But the night belonged to Dean and the Buckeyes, who will travel to Meigs in another TVC-Ohio showdown on Friday.

“We’re excited but we’re going to take it one game at a time,” Boston said. “Our league is very, very strong. We’re right in the teeth of it now. We have to prepare for Meigs, coach Chancey will have those young men ready to play.”

[Nybucks70-80]

Great job Buckeyes!
Lets hope the Bucks keep the D the way it is. The 4-4 ( with the current lineup) is doing great.
Good luck in Pomeroy friday nite!