Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — Wheelersburg started fast and caused the Fairland Dragons to slow down.

The Pirates jumped out to a 35-0 first half lead and went on to beat the Dragons 42-7 on Friday in a non-league game.

Wheelersburg (3-1) had 296 total yards in the first half with 194 coming through the air. They finished the game with 393 total yards.

Quarterback Eddie Miller was 14 of 24 passing for 182 yards and two scores.

Aaron Cowgill — who ran eight times for 38 yards — scored four touchdowns including three in the first half. Christian Ellis had 53 yards on four carries.

Fairland (2-2) had 218 total yards but managed just 42 through the air.

Wheelersburg took the opening kickoff and drove for the game’s first score on a 10-yard pass from Miller to Cowgill.

Cowgill had an 8-yard run for the second score and Ellis broke free on a 39-yard run to make it 21-0.

Miller found tight end Ross Pyles free for a 77-yard touchdown pass and the lead was 28-0.

Cowgill then ran 9 yards for the final score of the half and a 35-0 cushion.

The Pirates recovered a fumbled kickoff at the 25-yard line to start the second half and Cowgill scored on an 8-yard run moments later for a 42-0 lead.

Fairland avoided the shutout on a 39-yard scoring pass from Chance Short to Derrick Willis with 8:46 to play.

Tyree Ceasar had 129 yards rushing on 17 attempts to lead the Fairland offense.

The Dragons host Bishop Hartley next Friday. The Hawks are 4-0 and ranked No. 1 in the AP Division IV poll.

Wheelersburg 14 21 7 0 = 42

Fairland 0 0 0 7 = 7

First Quarter

Wh — Aaron Cowgill 10 pass from Eddie Miller (Dylan Miller kick)

Wh — Aaron Cowgill 6 run (Dylan Miller kick)

Second Quarter

Wh — Christian Ellis 39 run (Dylan Miller kick)

Wh — Ross Pyles 77 pass from Eddie Miller (Dylan Miller kick)

Wh — Aaron Cowgill 9 run (Dylan Miller kick)

Third Quarter

Wh — Aaron Cowgill 8 run (Dylan Miller kick)_

Fourth Quarter

Fa — Derrick Willis 39 pass from Chance Short (Issiah Vidal kick)

Wh Fa

First downs 16 8

Rushes-yards 29-182 32-176

Passing yards 211 42

Total yards 393 218

Cmp-Att-Int 17-28-1 4-11-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-1

Penalties-yards 6-40 8-75

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Wheelersburg: Christian Ellis 4-53, Jacob Hutchinson 7-47, Aaron Cowgill 8-38, Eddie Miller 5-36, Conner Stone 1-9, Micah McAlister 1-1, Austin May 2-minus 2; Fairland: Tyree Ceasar 17-129, Kyle Sowards 8-35, Chance Short 6-10, Trey Nestor 2-minus 1.

PASSING—Wheelersburg: Eddie Miller 14-24-1 182; Fairland: Chance Short 4-11-0 42.

RECEIVING—Wheelersburg: Ross Pyles 2-80, Tyler Claxon 8-77, Dylan Miller 2-20, Micah Mclister 2-17, Aaron Cowgill 1-10, Wade Martin 1-7; Fairland: Derrick Willis 1-39, Kyle Sowards 2-6, Cody Midkiff 1-minus 3.