Greenbrier East Spartans running back Ian Cline is only a sophomore, but after East’s 42-7 victory over the Ripley Vikings on Friday, Oct. 15, Cline is now firmly placed in the school’s record books.
He ran 27 times for 284 yards, the third most in Greenbrier East history in a single game. After missing a game two weeks ago, Cline is obviously rebounding nicely and solidifying the “Cline Shine” in Fairlea.
The Spartans fared well in this contest and rebounded from a tough 23-3 loss to Oak Hill last Friday night.
Ripley (1-7) actually got on the board first after the Spartans’ first possession resulted in a punt. Isaiah Casto made a 45-yard reception halfway through the series and the 10-play, 74-yard drive was capped with a 6-yard touchdown catch by Blake Cummings and Ripley took an early 7-0 lead.
Then, Cline and East put up 42 straight points.
Cline scored on a 33-yard run on the ensuing possession as East knotted the score at 7-all. That was the score at the end of one.
Then, Monquelle Davis got loose and scored on a 15-yard run to open the second quarter scoring and East took a 14-7 lead.
With the Vikings looking to answer, quarterback Ty Stevens heaved a pass downfield that senior Levi Wagner intercepted, and the Spartans (5-2) took the ball back looking to go ahead and start putting the contest away.
And that is exactly what they did.
Davis connected with Bryson Ormsbee on a 44-yard touchdown strike and the Spartans took a 21-7 lead midway through the first half.
The Vikings were forced to punt again on their following drive, but a muffed snap set the Spartans up at the Ripley 15-yard line. On the drive’s second play, Cline went 15 yards to cap the two-play possession. After that score, the Spartans led 28-7.
Wagner grabbed his second pick of the night before the break as East held on to the 28-7 lead at halftime.
Cline added a 21-yard TD run and a 50-yard TD run in the second half to put the finishing touches on the scoreboard.
The Spartans’ defense played well. Outside of Wagner’s two interceptions, Jacob Wickline played well and had a fumble recovery. Jarett McHale was all over the field also.
Kicker Noah Dotson went 6-6 on extra points.
Ormsbee added some numbers to the stat sheet with three catches for 54 yards and a TD.
East finished with 391 total yards with 324 coming on the ground.
Cline was named McDonalds player of the game for the second week in a row.
East will travel to Hampshire this Friday night, before returning home for their final two contests of the season.
Stats courtesy of 103.1, WRON.
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