Photo provided by: Mike McElwain
WEIRTON – Weir High School will celebrate 100 years of football this fall. The celebrations will continue for at least another week.
No. 12 Frankfort (7-4) missed a 39-yard field goal with 42.2 seconds left, but the No. 5 Red Riders (10-1) held on for an important 23-21 victory in the first round of the W-League. I defended it. .Va. Class AA playoffs.
What made the hard-won victory even sweeter was that it was the team’s first home playoff win on the artificial turf of the new Jimmy Carey Stadium. The last home playoff win was in 2008 at the old Jimmy Carey Stadium, surrounded by Weirton Steel in downtown.
“Our defense bent over and over again, but we just couldn’t get them to break down and get a field goal at the end,” Weir High School head coach Frank Cicinni said. “When they stepped up, they stepped up.”
“These kids have heard many stories that happened before us, and now it’s their turn to write the story.”
This was also the second time this season the Falcons traveled to Hancock County and came back with a loss. In Week 4, Weir won 35-21.
“We knew it would be a tough game against a team we had already played. We knew Frankfort had a good game plan,” Cicinni added. “Please give them credit.”
Senior workhorse Corey Lyons carried 20 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns on short yards. The final one came from a yard out, capping off an 11-play, 73-yard march to give the hosts a 23-21 lead with 5:22 remaining. The crucial PAT missed wide to the left.
“Our offensive line was great all night,” Cicinni said. “They grew a lot tonight.”
After a great kickoff back to midfield, Frankfort moved to the Weir High 29 after a second stick mover and scored two first downs. However, with three outs and 1st base in the 19th inning, the Red Riders’ Devan Colson dragged Jason Fontenot down for a 3-yard loss, setting up a potential game-winning field goal.
A low snap and shaky hold denied Rhett Sensabaugh, who has strong legs, a great chance. The kick flew low and short, causing the Red Riders and their legions of fans to jump for joy.
“Devan’s defensive play was the deciding factor in this game,” Cicinni said. “They tried to run outside, but he read to the end.”
Weir High won the first coin toss and elected to receive. He finished with 85 yards in 10 plays with just over five minutes remaining. The Lions dominated from three more yards out, making it 7-0 on Ben Howard’s placement. The key to the march was a 13-yard connection from Malachi Stromile to Damir Mowder on third-and-10. The Lions also broke 24 losses on first-and-20 after a holding call.
Frankfort, running from a wing-T formation, tied the game on its first possession. Quarterback Blake Jacobs snuck in from a yard out. Sensabaugh’s kick was good.
The Lions charged in from two yards out, and the Red Riders went 80 yards in 14 plays to make it 14-7. Howard was perfect again.
After exchanging punts, the Falcons would pull one more time just before the half. Tyrik Powell ran from the right side for a 7-yard score with 8.3 seconds to play. Sensabaugh tied the score.
Mauder recovered Frankfort’s fumble, the only turnover of the game, for the Falcons’ 32 points with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
Weir High took advantage with another slow possession. With nearly three minutes to play, Howard made a 26-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead.
Landon Kinser’s 63-yard dash gave Frankfort possession deep in Weir High territory. Cameron Layton scored on a 2-yard run and Sensabaugh’s PAT gave the visitors a 21-17 advantage, setting the stage for the dramatics.
Weir High ran 37 times for 235 yards, and Stromile added 76 yards on 12 return trips. Colson went 6-of-11 and 3-of-25 for 70 yards.
Frankfort rushed 45 times for 246 yards and three TDs. Jacobs went 2-for-2 for 29 yards.
The Red Riders will await the winner between No. 13 Nitro and No. 4 Scott in a match Saturday at 1:30 p.m.