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SPORTS
Cougars claw Knights
Brad Jenkins of Cabell Midland drives the middle of the line for some hard yards in the beginning of the second half.
Purchase this photoCHARLESTON -- Cabell Midland came in against Capital on top of the football world Friday night after knocking off two-time defending state champion Parkersburg last week, but the Cougars knocked the Knights off their high horse with a swift claw to the face.
Capital's young team proved to be full of talent in a 21-7 win over Cabell Midland at Laidley Field. The Cougars' offensive line dominated up front, pushing the Knights right off the ball.
"They're (Capital) very experienced and a very good football team," Cabell Midland coach Chip McMillian said. "We just got our butts kicked and they controlled the football game period."
Sophomore talent Keion Wright carried Capital's ground game, rushing for 126 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Wright showed explosive speed, ripping off several big runs to the outside.
James Woods also added to Capital's dynamic backfield, rushing 14 times for 91 yards. Capital rolled up 231 yards rushing on 43 carries.
Cabell Midland (1-1) embarked on a must needed scoring drive to start the first half. The Knights cruised down to Capital's 16-yard line, before Brad Jenkins had the ball plucked loose and the Cougars recovered on the 21-yard line.
Capital (1-1) then drove the ball a back breaking 79-yards, as Wright ripped of a 13-yard touchdown to give the Cougars a commanding 21-0 lead
Capital jumped out to a 14-0 first half lead after punching in two late scores in the second quarter. The Cougars defense flew all over the field from the start, limiting the Knights to just 77 yards in the first two quarters.
Cabell Midland was tackled 11 times for a loss and Bartley was sacked five times. The Cougars defense caught the Knights off guard with their speed and physical intensity.
Both teams struggled to finish off drives in the early going. Capital's first drive fell flat on the 22-yard line after Darren McFadden dropped a touchdown in the end zone.
Cabell Midland's first drive was also impressive behind the legs and arm of quarterback Tyler Bartley. But the Knights drive stalled on Capital's 12-yard after failing to convert a fourth down and 21.
Capital's second drive fizzled out on Cabell Midland's 13-yard line. The Cougars attempted a 30-yard field goal, but Jarred Newhouse's attempt went wide left.
After a Cabell Midland three and out Capital cashed in on its third drive behind sophomore running back Keion Wright. After a staggering 25-yard run Wright capped the drive with a 1-yard score with 4:03 remaining in the second quarter.
The Cougars made up for the early scoring blunders, as quarterback Joe Beane tossed the ball to Francis Nice for a 16-yard score with just 16.2 seconds remaining in the first half.
Bartley threw for just 54 yards on five of nine passing. He was also stuffed on the ground, rushing for just 31 yards on 15 carries and the Knights lone score.
After piling up 233 yards rushing last week, Cabell Midland running back Brad Jenkins compiled only 28 yards on 10 carries.
CABELL MIDLAND 0 0 0 7 -- 7
CAPITAL 0 14 7 0 -- 21
C- Keion Wright 1 run (Jarred Newhouse kick)
C- Francis Nice 16 pass from Joe Beane (Newhouse kick)
C- Wright 13 run (Newhouse kick)
CM-Tyler Bartley 1 run (Alex Molina kick)
CM C
First downs 10 18
Total Net Yards 168 309
Rushes-yards 36-114 43-231
Passing yards 54 78
Comp-Att-Int 5-9-0 3-8-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 3-21 2-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- Cabell Midland: Tyler Anderson 7-36; Tyler Bartley 15-31; Brad Jenkins 10-28; Bryce Paul 4-19. Capital: Keion Wright 19-126; James Wood 14-91; Dustin Pullin 1-12; Josh Sharp 1-9.
PASSING -- Cabell Midland: Tyler Bartley 5-9-0, 54 yards. Capital: Joe Beane 3-8-1, 78 yards.
RECEIVING -- Cabell Midland: Michael Brunfield 2-23; Anthony Nance 1-15; Tyler Anderson 1-14; Bryce Paul 1-2. Capital: Melvin Allen 1-43; Jake Kelly 1-19; Francis Nice 1-16.
