Pikeville and Wheelersburg wanted this game to happen, even if on short notice.
The Panthers defense brought its “A” game in forcing four Pirate turnovers while holding their high-octane offense to just one score as Pikeville left historic Ed Miller Stadium with an eye-opening 20-7 win on Friday night.
Running back Blake Birchfield carried 29 times for 189 yards and a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to pull the teams even at 7-all.
Quarterback Isaac McNamee, who passed for 103 yards, put Pikeville ahead to stay with a 16-yard scoring pass to Zac Lockhart late in the first half.
The duo hooked up again with less than two minutes to play on a 22-yard scoring strike. Lockhart had six catches for 65 yards.
Pikeville’s defense held Wheelersburg scoreless the final 45 minutes and 31 seconds. Lockhart had an interception and fumble recovery. Sam Wright and Devin DeRossett each recovered a fumble.
At Wheelersburg, Ohio
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
PK (4-0)….7 7 0 6 – 20
WB (2-2)…7 0 0 0 – 7
Scoring:
First Quarter
WB – Ethan Glover, 12-yard run (Casey Doerr kick), 9:31
PK – Blake Birchfield, 6-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), 5:03
Second Quarter
PK – Zac Lockhart, 16-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (Jacob Rogers kick), 1:49
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
PK – Zac Lockhart, 22-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (conversion failed), 1:46
Next up: Pikeville (4-0) at Belfry (0-4), 7:30 pm, Sept. 17.