The West Virginia High School football season is in it’s eighth week with both local teams having a difficult time posting wins. While Tyler Consolidated is still looking for that first elusive win, Paden City has captured one. Both teams have had to battle injuries and sickness but look forward to finishing up their seasons on a positive note, with more wins for their fans.

Tyler Consolidated

The Silver Knights traveled to Braxton County on Friday to take on the Eagles, but returned home winless with the 28-0 score.

The Knights held strong throughout the first half of the game, playing to a 0-0 tie going into the half, when, with two seconds to go, Braxton County made good on a two yard run and then an extra point kick to take the lead, 7-0 at the break.

The last second scoring opportunity they gave up seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Silver Knights as they allowed 21 more points to go up on the home side of the scoreboard.

“Same story, different game,” said Knight head coach Rob Caldwell. “We played good ball in the first half, and then, started missing tackles and assignments, and just not doing what we were supposed to be doing inside. I don’t know if it’s lack of focus or what.”

The Silver Knights achieved seven first downs in the game to Braxton’s 18. The Knights had 49 rushing yards and 63 passing yards for a total of 112 yards in the game. The Eagles had 284 rushing yards and 48 passing yards for a total of 332 yards. The Knights were penalized five times for 35 yards while the Braxton County boys caught eight flags for 65 yards.

Knight quarterback, Jordan Smith, completed nine of 22 passes for 63 yards and was intercepted once.

Senior Knight Isaac Graham rushed 19 times for 71 yards; Jacob Highley carried the ball once for six yards. Senior Corey Lowe led all Knight receivers, catching three passes for 28 yards; Boone Kehrer caught one pass for 19 yards; Zack Knowlton had one catch for seven yards; Graham caught two passes for two yards; Evan Cline had one catch for five yards and Alex Doak caught a pass for two yards.

Defensively, Junior Evan Cline had 10 tackles, three assists, caused a fumble and covered a fumble; Kehrer was credited with eight tackles, one solo; John Kocher had six tackles, one assist, and a quarterback sack; Lowe had five tackles, one assist; Graham, five tackles, one solo; Hunter LeMasters, four tackles, one assist; Alex Doak, four tackles; Cody Grant, three tackles, one assist; Drew Casey, three tackles, one assist; Koty Martin, two tackles, one quarterback sack; Slade Dillon, two tackles; and Knowlton, two tackles, two assists.

On Friday, the Knights will host the Ritchie County Rebels in the Homecoming game. The Rebels come into the game with two wins, while the Knights hope to break into the win column with this one.

Paden City

Fans of the game had plenty of football to watch in Paden City on Friday night as the Wildcats offered up seven quarters of varsity ball, four regular periods and three overtime periods. The ‘Cats played host to the St. John Central Fighting Irish, and though they fought hard, the home team came out on the short end of the 26-20 score.

“Our kids played well,” said head coach Brent Croasmun. “They played hard and they never gave up throughout the entire game. It’s just to bad we didn’t get the win, but I was very proud of the kids.”

Paden City trailed in the game, but put two touchdowns on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20-20 to take the game into overtime. Finally, in the third overtime period, the Irish scored a TD to take the win.

Junior Taylor Still led the running game for Paden City, rushing 98 yards in the game for the Wildcats on 30 carries. Geoffrey Bidwell had 70 yards on 11 carries including one TD; James Baker carried the ball twice for 13 yards; and John Bates rushed twice for nine yards.

Sophomore quarterback, Drew Bidwell completed nine of 22 passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Still completed 2-2 for six yards.

Geoffrey Bidwell led all Wildcat receivers with six catches for 43 yards including one TD. Still caught two passes for 23 yards, one TD; Jared Stewart caught two passes for 17 yards; and Peyton Hinkley had one catch for three yards.

Defensively, Keith Hardbarger had 10 tackles and two fumble recoveries; Kyle Staton was credited with nine tackles, two for a loss; Hinkley, nine tackles, one fumble recovery; Geoffrey Bidwell, eight tackles, two for a loss; and Still, seven tackles and one fumble recovery.

The loss puts the Wildcat win/loss record at 1-6 on the year.

On Friday, Paden City will play at Beallsville.