WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

The high school football season is quickly coming to a close.  All teams want to end the year on a high note and carry that momentum into the offseason.  When the Walkertown Wolfpack faced off against Mt. Airy last week, they did just that with a 20-8 victory.

The Granite Bears started the game off very strong with an opening drive that focused on the run game and resulted in a juggling catch in the end zone.  After the conversion, Mt. Airy led 8-0 midway through the first quarter.

Walkertown looked to answer immediately on their first drive.  They drove the ball all the way inside of the 10 yard line of Mt. Airy but a brought it back.

Taking a calculated risk, Walkertown head coach, Chris Cannon went for it on fourth down later in the drive.  The move paid off as quarterback Owen Renslow threw a touchdown pass to Andre Walker, who ran a beautiful stutter and go route.  The deficit was trimmed to two after the failed conversion.

Later in the quarter, Mt. Airy was on the attack again when their quarterback fumbled while scrambling, giving possession back to the Wolfpack.  Unfortunately for the Granite Bears, their starting quarterback was injured on the play and was unable to return. That play swung the momentum in favor of the Wolfpack for the remainder of the game.

Mt. Airy head coach Johnathan Wilmoth said his team played hard but injuries played a role in the effectiveness of the offense.

“The injury changed what we could do, so we tried to improvise but we just couldn’t get it done,” Wilmoth said. “When you’re shorthanded, you just have to play.  You just have to line up and play the next play.”

Walkertown received the ball first in the second half. On the second play from scrimmage, Reggie Green III took a handoff and outran the Mt. Airy defense all the way to the end zone.  That score gave the Wolfpack a 12-8 lead.

Without their starting quarterback, Mt. Airy could not move the ball with any consistency.  Their defense attempted to keep them in the game by keeping the Wolfpack off the scoreboard for the remainder of the quarter.

Since Mt. Airy could not move the ball, the Wolfpack played keep away for most of the fourth quarter. Walkertown was able to move the chains effectively enough to run the majority of the clock during the fourth quarter.  In the process of running out the clock, Trace McElveen broke free through the line and scored from 45 yards out to seal the victory 20-8.

“Tonight was the culmination of all the hard work. This is what we have been striving for all season and it all came together tonight,” said Cannon on his team’s performance.  “From the coaching staff to all the players, it was a great effort and you see the results.”

Cannon said he was proud that his team did not let a win get away from them.  He said earlier this season his team had an issue with holding a lead and finishing their opponent off.  He said this game is a confidence builder and looks forward to the future with his team.