FAIRLEA- Greenbrier East started quickly Friday night, but Woodrow Wilson answered with 34 consecutive points and pulled away for a 34-14 victory over the Spartans in Fairlea.
East received an immediate spark from Jet Whitworth, who returned the opening kickoff deep into Flying Eagles territory. Quarterback Sam Gabbert capitalized moments later, connecting with Braylen Godfrey for a 21-yard touchdown with 11:42 remaining in the opening quarter. The extra point gave the Spartans an early 7-0 lead.
Then, Woodrow Wilson (2-0) responded on its first possession. Running backs Javontae Wynes and Gage Burdette helped move the Flying Eagles down the field before quarterback Gage Price escaped pressure from Greenbrier East’s Keshawn Bland and acrobatically found Wynes for a 26-yard touchdown. The score tied the game at 7-all with 8:27 left in the first quarter.
The Flying Eagles took the lead later in the period when Maddox Morris broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run to put Beckley ahead 14-7, which remained the score at the end of the opening quarter.
Greenbrier East’s defense produced an opportunity early in the second quarter. Bland made his presence felt early in the possession with several strong plays against the run, and Whitworth intercepted a Woodrow Wilson pass with 9:37 remaining in the half.
The Spartans (0-2) were unable to take advantage, however.
Gabbert was intercepted by Wynes, who returned the ball to the Greenbrier East 14-yard line. Eventually, Burdette scored on a 9-yard run shortly afterward, extending the Flying Eagles’ lead to 20-7 with 8:36 left before halftime.
East attempted to answer when Gabbert connected with Godfrey for 33 yards on third-and-11, but the Spartans could not turn the big play into points as Woodrow carried its 20-7 advantage into the locker room.
The Flying Eagles continued to control the game in the second half. Wynes scored on an 8-yard run with 5:23 left in the third quarter, and the extra point pushed the lead to 27-7. Burdette then broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining in the period, giving Woodrow Wilson a commanding 34-7 advantage.
Greenbrier East added a touchdown later in the game–an 8-yard TD catch from DP Seams– to produce the final margin.
Godfrey (4, catches, 51 yards, TD) provided two of the Spartans’ biggest offensive play, but it was Bland who was also active for the East defense, making several plays around the line of scrimmage and made unofficially around 25 tackles. Running back Austin Whitt carried the ball 18 times for 62 yards.
Woodrow Wilson’s potent rushing attack ultimately proved too much to overcome as the Flying Eagles ran for 366 yards as a team. Burdette led the way with 19 carries for 141 yards and Wynes complimented him with 16 totes for 130 yards.
The Spartans will go across the state line next Friday, Sept. 11 when they face the Alleghany (VA) Cougars.
Stats courtesy of 103.1, The Bear.
The West Virginia Daily News/Greenbrier Independent Player of the Game: Keshawn Bland
