Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
WESTERVILLE — Wheelersburg’s voyage towards Canton is indeed on course.
For the first time since 2017, the Pirates will play for Ohio’s top prize.
On Friday, Cardinal Mooney couldn’t handle the Wheelersburg’s physicality in the trenches, turning the ball over four times.
In a Division V state semifinal, the Pirates used those two factors to punch its state championship game ticket with a 24-10 victory over the Cardinals.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
They’re still sailing — and at a high speed.
“I couldn’t be more proud or happy for our guys. I’ve been talking about our seniors throughout this whole run, about how great of leaders they’ve been and tonight was another perfect example,” Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodward said. “Earlier in the day at our team breakfast, Tanner Bevins talked to the guys about how to leave a legacy. These seniors have done so over the last three years and they’ve led by example and it’s a special moment to be in this position.”
Highlight tape
Early on, Wheelersburg (14-0) rolled the dice and it paid off as Cooper Heimbach pulled off a fake punt to perfection and connected with Brew Hanzel on a 26-yard pass.
That later set up Heimbach for a 36-yard field goal to give ‘Burg a 3-0 lead.
However, Cardinal Mooney (10-3) had a quick answer.
On 3rd and 2, Ike Lake took a handoff and spun out of a tackle before sprinting 62 yards to the end zone, giving the Cardinals a 7-3 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Wheelersburg’s Kenyon Evans intercepted a pass on his own 14-yard line, and that changed everything.
The Pirates methodically put a 14-play, 86-yard drive together before Stephen Hall plunged in from three yards out, giving ‘Burg a 10-7 lead.
“I saw a quote the other day that said, ‘You earn what you’ve earned’, and we’ve definitely earned this,” Evans said. “We pride ourselves on getting hats to the ball and making sure everywhere is covered. So their quarterback just had to throw it up and he did multiple times, which led to extra possessions.”
Following a Cardinal punt, the Pirates moved down the field and, although they were stopped on third down inside the five-yard line, they still came away with points. The reliable Heimbach nailed a 21-yard field goal for a 13-7 halftime lead.
PHOTOS: Images from Wheelersburg’s state semifinal win over Cardinal Mooney
The Pirates got a pair of stops in the third, setting up Heimbach for the only points of the third quarter — a 47-yard field goal that extended the lead to 16-7 entering the final eight minutes.
“We trust him so much and it’s because we’ve seen him put the work in,” Wheelersburg’s Luke Kouns said of Heimbach. “He was shoveling snow on the field and practicing his kicks in the cold weather back on January 1. He was ready for this moment and he made the most of his chances.”
Cardinal Mooney, after not scoring, nor having any offensive success since its first drive, cut into the lead with a 34-yard field goal from Jacob Gugliotta, making it 16-10.
Wheelersburg then punted, setting up the Cardinals for a potential game-winning drive.
Instead, they threw a fourth interception and the Pirates plunged the dagger in. With 1:36 left, Braylon Rucker powered in from a yard out to send the Pirates to Canton.
“When you do things the right way, good things are going to happen. Coach Woodward prides himself on that, as we all do, and we’ve now taken it to the state championship,” Wheelersburg’s Ryan Meeker said. “A lot of people talk about how physical of a team we are. That’s the ‘Burg way. We knew that Coach May would love to be here to see this, but we know he’s strapping his helmet on and ready to cheer us on.”
Oskie!
Alongside Evans’ interception in the first half, Hanzel came up with one on the Cardinals’ opening drive of the third quarter.
On the next drive, it was Jay King who made a diving pick that set up Heimbach’s 47-yarder, making it a two-possession game.
The final one, which was the straw that broke the camel’s back, came via Gabe Campbell, which led to Rucker’s late score to end Cardinal Mooney’s season.
“Our defense has been incredible all season. I’ll have to go back and look at the numbers, but I think with those four turnovers tonight, that gives us nearly 40 on the season,” Woodward said. “I think the biggest thing, though, is our mental development and how it’s gotten us to this point. All of those things we did back in June are playing out now and it’s beautiful to watch as a coach.”
Up next
Wheelersburg advances to the Division V state championship at Canton’s Tom Benson Stadium, where it’ll meet with Liberty Center, who defeated Indian Lake to move on.
That game will happen on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Pirates will be searching for the program’s third state championship — 2017, 1989 — and will be making their third state title game appearance.
“I learned back in 2003 the pride that Wheelersburg has within its community and with its football team, and I knew it was a place that I wanted to develop in,” Woodward said. “All of those elements with that 2017 team like kicking, toughness, physicality, defense and short-term memory, are very similar to this team. Liberty Center will be a great challenge, and we’re going to leave everything on the field. Come Saturday, we’ll see what happens.”
SPONSORS
GLOCKNER FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS
SCHMIDT FAMILY RESTAURANT GROUP
