Mingo Central waited five weeks to open the high school football season as they hosted the Man Hillbillies at Buck Harless Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Hillbillies took the lead for good early in the second half and then held off the Miners down the stretch to earn a 28-24 victory.
It marked only the third meeting between the two schools all-time. Man now holds a 2-1 advantage.
The Hillbillies defense accounted for the game’s first point as Justin Grimmett stripped the ball away and returned it 20 yards for a score and 6-0 lead.
Miner quarterback Daylin Goad put the Miners in front with a two-yard run in the final minute of the first period and then hit Isa Scales with the conversion pass to make it 8-6.
The Hillbillies went on top 14-8 when quarterback Israel Canterbury hit Grimmett with a 20-yard touchdown pass and then ran in the conversion.
Goad gave Mingo Central the lead back early in the third period on a two-yard run. His conversion made it 16-14.
Man regained the lead for good at 20-16 on Canterbury’s 12-yard pass to Jeremiah Harless.
The Hillbillies extended the lead to 28-16 on Erick Grimmett’s four-yard run and Justin Grimmett’s conversion.
Mingo Central blocked a punt late and closed to within 28-24 but Man recovered the onside kick. Zion Martin ran in from eight yards out and Goad hit Scales with the two-point conversion pass.
The Miners will play Friday night at Oak Hill. The Hillbillies will play at Calhoun County on Oct. 9.
At Newtown
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
MN (1-1)…..6 8 6 8 – 28
MC (0-1)…..8 0 8 8 – 24
Scoring:
First Quarter
MN – Justin Grimmett, 20-yard fumble return (kick failed), 8:48
MC – Daylan Goad, 2-yard run (Isa Scales pass from Daylin Goad), :57
Second Quarter
MN – Justin Grimmett, 20-yard pass from Israel Canterbury (Israel Canterbury run), :51
Third Quarter
MC – Daylin Goad, 2-yard run (Daylin Goad run), 4:02
Fourth Quarter
MN – Jeremiah Canterbury, 12-yard pass from Israel Canterbury), 10:11
MN – Erick Grimmett, 4-yard run (Justin Grimmett pass from Israel Canterbury), 5:43
MC – Zion Martin, 8-yard run (Isa Scales pass from Daylin Goad), 1:19
Next up: Mingo Central (0-1) at Oak Hill (0-0), 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2; Man (1-1) at Calhoun County (0-4), 7 p.m., Oct. 9.