Pirates use early scoring spurt to turn back Dragons, 55-32

Published 7:33 pm Sunday, September 22, 2013

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The Fairland Dragons fell behind by 21 points early and could never fully recover as they were outscored by the Wheelersburg Pirates 55-32 Friday.

The two teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of offense and 40 first downs.

Wheelersburg (4-0) amassed 548 total yards. The Pirates ran 36 times for 310 yards and quarterback Eddie Miller was 18 of 32 for 238 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Miller also ran 15 times for 159 yards and four touchdowns. Christian Ellis added 70 yards on nine carries. Tyler Claxon caught 10 passes for 115 yards and two scores and Dylan Miller had nine receptions for 54 yards.

Fairland (2-2) was led by quarterback Chance Short who completed 24 of 41 attempts for 301 yards and an interception. Short ran for three touchdowns while Wade Maddox had a 73-yard run for a score.

The Pirates set the scoring pace following the opening kickoff. They needed just 56 seconds to score as they went 80 yards in just four plays capped by Miller’s 28-yard TD pass to Claxon.

Five minutes later, Miller ran 23 yards for the touchdown and it was 14-0.

Fairland was still having problems finding its rhythm on offense and was forced to another three-and-out series. Wheelersburg took advantage as Miller hit Cameron Parsley with an 18-yard scoring pass play and it was 21-0 with 4:53 left in the quarter.

The Dragons finally got going and drove for a score. Short went 1-yard on a quarterback sneak and it was 21-7.

Miller then got loose and went 56 yards for a touchdown and it was 28-7.

Fairland got within 28-14 at the half on another 1-yard scoring run with 7:01 left in the period.

Claxon caught a 27-yard scoring strike from Miller and the lead was 35-14.

Fairland then put together its own scoring burst and closed the gap to 35-26.

Maddox ran 73 yards for a touchdown and it was 35-21. The Dragons’ defense forced an intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety and it was 35-23.

The Dragons used the free kick to get good field position and set up a 24-yard field goal by Philip Beaty and trailed by nine.

But Miller had touchdown runs of 4 and 5 yards as the Pirates opened up a 49-26 lead.

Fairland battled until the final whistle as Short scored on a quarterback sneak with no time on the clock to set the final score.

Fairland 7 7 12 6 = 32

Wheelersburg 21 7 7 20 = 55

First Quarter

Wh — Tyler Claxon 28 pass from Eddie Miller (Daylor Lewis kick) 11:04

Wh — Eddie Miller 23 run (Daylor Lewis kick) 6:18

Wh — Cameron Parsley 18 pass from Eddie Miller (Daylor Lewis kick) 4:53

Fa — Chance Short 1 run (Philip Beaty kick) 3:26

Second Quarter

Wh — Eddie Miller 56 run (Daylor Lewis kick) 10:04

Fa — Chance Short 1 run (Philip Beaty kick) 7:01

Third Quarter

Wh – Tyler Claxon 27 pass from Eddie Miller (Daylor Lewis kick) 7:35

Fa – Wade Maddox 73 run (Philip Beaty kick) 7:30

Fa — Safety 3:12

Fa — Philip Beaty 24 field goal

Fourth Quarter

Wh — Eddie Miller 4 run (Daylor Lewis kick) 7:38

Wh — Eddie Miller 5 run (Daylor Lewis kick) 1:08

Fa — Chance Short 2 run (no attempt) 0:00

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Fairland: NA; Wheelersburg: Eddie Miller 15-159, Christian Ellis 9-70, Austin May 5-32, Tyler Claxon 1-27, Dylan Miller 2-13, Micah McAlister 2-8, Cameron Parsley 2-1.

PASSING—Fairland: Chance Short 24-41-1 301; Wheelersburg: Eddie Miller 18-32-2 238.

RECEIVING—Fairland: NA: Wheelersburg: Tyler Claxon 10-115, Dylan Miller 9-54, Austin May 5-33, Cameron Parsley 2-36, Christian Ellis 2-0, Cole Cunningham 1-0.