Entering Friday, the Winfield Generals had had the Nitro Wildcats’ number the last 12 seasons.
The Generals had won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including the last four, and the last Nitro victory over Winfield was in 2018.
That changed Friday. The Wildcats outscored the Generals 14-7 in the second half, including the go-ahead score with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter, to secure the 35-28 victory over Winfield.
South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä quarterback Met Riley (8) loses the ball as he is sacked by Cabell Midland's Landon Taylor (4) in the second quarter of their game played in South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Friday Oct. 25, 2024. Riley was later knocked unconscious when he was sacked again in the third quarter.
- CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä players kneel while coaches and medics tend to SC quarterback Met Riley who was knocked unconscious in the third quarter of their game against Cabell Midland played in South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Friday Oct. 25, 2024.
- CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
Herbert Hoover’s Dane Hatfield (bottom) tumbles through the hole opened by offensive lineman Connor Facemire (53) and scores Hoover’s first touchdown against visiting Elkins during a prep football game Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Elkview.
- DAVID MALCOLM | For the Gazette-Mail
Nitro posted 490 yards of total offense, including 175 rushing yards. The Wildcats also scored on half of their drives Friday evening.
“We wanted to out-scrap them,†Nitro coach Boom McKinney said. “We knew they were going to be a tough opponent. They want to run down your throat and keep you unbalanced. We had a lot of penalties tonight. We preached it all week. We didn’t succeed, in having too many penalties.
“We made enough plays when it mattered. I’m proud of my guys. They gave me 110% tonight.â€
Nitro moves to 7-1 and has won four straight after losing to Herbert Hoover, 13-7, on Sept. 13.
The Wildcats entered Week 9 No. 7 in the latest WVSSAC playoff ratings.
Nitro was looking to stack late-season quality wins to try and stay with the pack in Class AAA.
“This game was huge,†McKinney said. “We have two games left and have to prepare. It’s been awhile since we beat Winfield. It means a huge deal for this program.â€
Winfield falls to 4-4 and has lost two of its last three games.
The Generals will face Scott and Point Pleasant to end the regular season.
“I’m proud of our guys,†Winfield coach Eddie Smolder said. “They played hard and physical. Nitro made more plays than we did and that was the outcome of the game. It was a hard-fought game.â€
Winfield entered Friday’s contest ranked No. 18 in the latest Class AAA playoff ratings. The top 16 at season’s end make the playoffs.
“This one is going to hurt,†Smolder said. “We played hard and physical. When the suns comes up, we have to erase and focus on our next two. We win those then we make the playoffs. That’s our goal.â€
The Nitro offense was fast and efficient in its first two drives. Eli Littlejohn rushed to the end zone from 59 yards out to cap a three-play, 84-yard drive.
Nitro’s defense forced a second consecutive Winfield punt and took advantage of the early success.
Quarterback Josh Moody then connected with a wide-open Malachi Thompson for a 33-yard score with 5:04 left in the opening quarter.
The Generals offense on its opening two drives went six plays and 9 yards.
Winfield’s offense finally cracked the goose egg on the scoreboard as running back Chris Radcliffe broke away for a 68-yard touchdown.
Littlejohn scored one more time in the opening quarter from 3 yards out.
Littlejohn finished the first half with nine carries, 76 yards and one touchdown.
The Wildcats took a 21-7 lead to the second quarter.
Winfield quarterback Easton Pinkerton muscled his way to the end zone for a 1-yard score to get the Generals within 21-13 with 5:53 left in the second.
After Moody threw an interception, Pinkerton found a wide-open Aiden Hernandez for a 49-yard touchdown.
The Generals converted on the two-point attempt as Pinkerton found Tre Tanner to tie the score at 21 at halftime.
Winfield’s offense posted 199 yards in the half.
It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to score in the second half. Nitro marched down the field in 48 seconds and regained the lead after a 39-yard touchdown pass from Moody to Bryson Sowards.
Winfield next capitalized on a Gannon Boggs interception of Moody when Pinkerton found Drew Mann for an 18-yard score to again tie the game, 28-28.
Nitro scored the go-ahead score with 8:25 left in the game as Moody threw a dart to Luke Shaffer for a 13-yard touchdown.
It was Moody’s 100th career touchdown pass.
Moody finished the game 19 for 31 for 315 yards and three touchdowns. The Wildcat quarterback also threw two interceptions.
Shaffer reeled in eight catches for 143 yards and caught six passes of 15 yards or more and three of 20 yards or more.
The Wildcats defense stood tall in the waning minutes as they forced Winfield into a punt, interception and turnover on downs.
Littlejohn posted another impressive game for Nitro as the senior running back carried the ball 21 times for 159 yards and two scores.
Littlejohn surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards and 3,000 career all-purpose yards Friday evening.
“He’s the hardest worker we have,†McKinney said. “He’s a smart football player. He does everything we ask. I hate that he is a senior. I wouldn’t take anyone else at running back other than that kid. He is a top-notch guy.â€
Nitro 35, Winfield 28
Nitro;21;0;7;7;--;35
Winfield;7;14;7;0;--;28
First quarter
N -- Littlejohn 59 run (kick good) 9:53
N -- Thompson 33 pass from Moody (kick good) 5:04
W -- Radcliffe 68 run (kick good) 4:04
N -- Littlejohn 3 run (kick good) 1:06
Second quarter
W -- Pinkerton 1 run (kick failed) 5:53
W -- Hernandez 49 pass from Pinkerton (2-pt conversion good) 0:20
Third quarter
N -- Sowards 39 pass from Moody (kick good) 11:03
W -- Mann 18 pass from Pinkerton (kick good) 1:20
Fourth quarter
N -- Shaffer 13 pass from Moody (kick good) 8:25
Team Statistics
;;;Nitro;Winfield
First Downs;;;22;11
Rushes-yards;;;29-175;36-242
Passing;;;19-31-1;4-12-2
Passing yards;;;315;77
Total yards;;;490;319
Fumbles-lost;;;0-0;0-0
Penalties-yards;;;10-85;11-130
Punts-average;;;0-0;4-48
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- Nitro: Littlejohn 21-159, Cantrell 2-8, Patterson 4-8, Moody 2-0. Winfield: Radcliffe 10-121, Pinkerton 16-74, Boggs 4-35, Tanner 5-14, Hernandez 1-(-2).
PASSING -- Nitro: Moody 19-31-1-315. Winfield: Pinkerton 3-11-2-77.
RECEIVING -- Nitro: Shaffer 8-143, Thomson 6-104, Sowards 3-58, Cantrell 1-8, E. Moody 1-2. Winfield: Hernandez 1-49, Mann 2-25, Radcliffe 1-3.
