By CHRIS BROOKS, sports editor, wellsvillesports.com
BOLIVAR — For the first time in recent memory, it’s a matchup that hasn’t happened in a long while.
Wellsville and Bolivar-Richburg have met on numerous occasions across most sport realms in a season, but rarely on the football field. A matchup seasons in the making, was officially renewed on a gorgeous Friday night under the lights at Dunsmore-Latimer Field. And it was one that the host Wolverines would not let go to waste.
Right from the word go, the hosts in black and red attacked all fronts in the first 12 minutes. Three rushing touchdowns on the ground, as well as a lengthy punt return by the speedy Ethan Coleman was what the doctor ordered in a massive 30-point first quarter that would allow Bolivar-Richburg to put the hammer down early on the Lions, as they rolled towards victory by a 42-24 count.
The Wolverines (2-0) wasted no time making their presence known on the gridiron from the opening kickoff, finding the end zone four times with a 4-yard touchdown on the ground from Parker Worth starting it all off. Then, Coleman continued his red hot start on offense, and even on special teams with the next two scores — a 42-yard run from the backfield, and then a 65-yard punt return on the next possession to branch out the team’s lead.
The first quarter scoring closed up with help from Caden Allen, who also found the end zone himself from five yards out.
Coleman would add one more score to his resume to finish off a 36-0 lead at the half. Coleman was the night’s leading rusher, carrying the ball five times for 112 yards and his two scores.
After a Maddox Day score from two yards out to branch the Bolivar-Richburg lead even farther in the third quarter, the Lions (0-2) would go on to score the night’s final 24 points, beginning with a lengthy run from quarterback JJ Howard from the backfield, taking the ball straight to the house 60 yards to erase the shutout.
Xander Outman and Brennen Geffers each would add runs of their own in the last quarter, scoring on runs of 11 and two yards to close it out.
While the offense for the Wolverines were connecting on all angles with a 219-yard effort, the defense registered a stellar showing led by a five-tackle performance from Trent Sibble off the edge, adding a fumble recovery along the way. Tavyn MacDonell and Caden Allen each recorded four tackles. Allen, along with Parker Worth, each grabbed an interception.
For the Lions, Xander Outman carried the ball four times for 82 yards and his touchdown, pairing it with his two tackles on defense. Howard would finish with 64 yards on the ground along with his score. The Wellsville offense finished with 202 total yards from under center.
Next week, both teams will cross into week three of action beginning on Friday with the Lions, as they return back home to the Den to host a 7 p.m. kickoff against incoming C.G. Finney/Northstar. The next afternoon, Bolivar-Richburg hits the road for a Saturday matinee in Holley, beginning at 1 p.m.
Wellsville 0 0 8 16 – 24
Bolivar-Richburg 30 6 6 0 – 42
Scoring Summary
1st
B-R – Parker Worth 4-yard run, 2-pts good (8-0 B-R)
B-R – Ethan Coleman 42-yard run, 2-pts failed (14-0 B-R)
B-R – Ethan Coleman 65-yard punt return, 2-pts good (22-0 B-R)
B-R – Caden Allen 5-yard run, 2-pts good (30-0 B-R)
2nd
B-R – Ethan Coleman 49-yard run, 2-pts failed (36-0 B-R)
3rd
B-R – Maddox Day 2-yard run, 2-pts failed (42-0 B-R)
WLSV – JJ Howard 60-yard run, 2-pts good (42-8 B-R)
4th
WLSV – Xander Outman 11-yard run, 2-pts good (42-16 B-R)
WLSV – Brennen Geffers 2-yard run, 2-pts good (42-24 B-R)
Total Yards: WLSV 202, B-R 219.
First Downs: WLSV 12, B-R 14.
Turnovers: WLSV 3, B-R 0.
Penalties: WLSV 3-30, B-R 6-41.
Punts: WLSV 3-25, B-R 2-27.
T.O.P: WLSV 27:15, B-R 25:42.
