Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The Coal Grove Hornets tried to play keep away, but they couldn’t quite keep up.

The Hornets rushed 57 times for 394 yards, but an early 24-6 first quarter deficit was too much to overcome as they lost to the Wheelersburg Pirates 39-20 Friday.

Pirates’ quarterback Eddie Miller ran 42 yards for a touchdown and Daylor Lewis’ conversion kick made it 7-0.

But the Hornets (0-2) came right back and got within 7-6 on a 3-yard run by Isaiah Gunther.

Wheelersburg (2-0) then ran off 17 straight points to take a 24-6 lead.

Eddie Miller threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Tyler Claxon and a 19-yard TD pass to Dylan Miller and it was 21-6. Lewis kicked a 27-yard field goal and it was 24-6.

But the Hornets weren’t about to quit.

Gunther broke free on a 62-yard scoring run less than two minutes into the second half and it was 24-12.

D.J. Miller than scampered 37 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-4 situation and Coal Grove was within 24-20.

The Pirates opened up some breathing room on a 28-yard scoring pass from Eddie Miller to Dylan Miller. Eddie Miller ran for the conversion and a 32-20 lead.

Coal Grove used a 25-yard pass reception by Conor Markins to get to the Pirates’ 17-yard line. But the drive stalled at the 12 with 5:03 to play.

Wheelersburg punched in the final score on an 18-yard run by Dylan Miller with 52 seconds to play to set the final score.

Quarterback Jesse Rigsby was 2-of-7 passing for 45 yards to give the Hornets 439 total yards.

Wheelersburg had 419 total yards. Eddie Miller ran 16 times for 129 yards and hit 17 of 27 passes for 222 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Coal Grove 6 0 14 0 = 20

Wheelersburg 24 0 8 7 = 39

First Quarter

Wh — Eddie Miller 42 run (Daylor Lewis kick)

CG — Isaiah Gunther 3 run (kick blocked)

Wh — Tyler Claxon 4 pass from Eddie Miller (Daylor Lewis kick)

Wh — Dylan Miller 19 pass from Eddie Miller (Daylor Lewis kick)

Wh — Daylor Lewis 27 field goal

Third Quarter

CG — Isaiah Gunther 62 run (kick failed)

CG — D.J. Miller 37 run (run good)

Wh — Dylan Miller 28 pass from Eddie Miller (Eddie Miller run)

Fourth Quarter

Wh — Eddie Miller 18 run (Daylor Lewis kick)