Williamstown’s Cooper Billingsley (5) carries the ball during Friday’s game against Wheeling Central.
(Photo by Nikki Allen)

WHEELING — Williamstown lived up to its billing as the WVSSAC’s top-rated Class AA team Friday night at Bishop Schmitt Field at Wheeling University.

The Yellowjackets improved to 3-0 on the young season via a hard-earned 36-25 comeback win against a game but banged up Wheeling Central squad.

Williamstown, which won the last two state Class A championships, dug itself a quick and deep 19-0 hole. The Yellowjackets, however, maintained their poise and responded with the next 29 points to gain command.

Coach Chris Beck’s hard-playing charges did most of their damage on the ground thanks to an impressive offensive line and a superb quarterback in Lynken Joy. The visitors rushed for 351 yards with Joy delivering 216 of those stripes.

Central, meanwhile, played without the services of two key injured cogs – Braden McWreath and Joey Hall. Maroon Knight matters took an even more painful turn when starting quarterback Seth Cover left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury. He was unable to return.

Central, which entered the contest ranked No. 3 in the state, fell to 1-2 on the campaign.

“I thought we may have to play through some adversity tonight because Central is a very good team and well coached. However, I didn’t think that adversity would be self-inflicted,” Beck offered. “We couldn’t have started any worse. We fumbled it away three times in the first quarter.

“But once we got our feet under us we started to play the way we are capable of. We started to get hats on them and our offensive line did an outstanding job,” he added. “Lynken is a tremendous player and really did another great job tonight. I am proud of how we responded after falling behind 19-0.”

Adversity paid a visit to Williamstown on its first play from scrimmage. After forcing a Central punt on the game’s initial possession, the Yellowjackets set up shop at their own 28.

A short completed pass was fumbled away with Central junior Wyatt Brady, who enjoyed a solid defensive performance, scooped up the loose ball and ran it in from 30 yards. The PAT kick failed.

Central extended its lead to 12-0 on the strength of an Isaac Martin 10-yard burst with 4:36 remaining in the opening quarter, capping a 60-yard, six-play march.

Another Yellowjacket turnover set up Central’s third touchdown. A 62-yard drive found paydirt when Nico Kusic speared Kade Koroneos with a perfectly thrown 44-yard scoring strike. Clay Petry’s PAT made it a 19-0 lighting.

Williamstown, however, gained some traction with two second-quarter touchdowns, to draw within striking distance at halftime at 19-14.

The first score came on a 23-yard run by senior Cooper Billingsley followed by a 32-yard scoring pass from Joy to frosh Jackson Fulton. Lyric Perdue added two PATs.

The Yellowjackets maintained the momentum after intermission.

Billingsley scored from two yards out at the 8:01 mark of the third quarter to give the visitors their first lead of the night. Joy ran in the bonus points for a 22-19 count.

Williamstown stretched its lead to 10 in the waning seconds of the third period when Joy connected with Cooper Martin from eight yards out on a fourth-and-five play. Perdue added the kick for a 29-19 advantage.

Central didn’t go quietly.

The Maroon Knights used a seven-play drive to cut the deficit to 29-25 with 9:08 remaining when Kusic connected with standout wideout Max Olejasz on a 39-yard scoring strike. The conversion kick was blocked.

Williamstown, however, responded in championship fashion.

The Yellowjackets mounted a clock-killing 15-play, 78-yard drive with Joy scoring from the 6 with 2:10 to play, salting away the verdict. Perdue added one final PAT.

“Last week we played two-and-a-half quarters. Tonight we played three-and-a half quarters,” Young said. “We lost to a very good team but we were in it until their final drive. Their offensive line did an outstanding job.

“We were playing without several key people and then you lose your starting quarterback. That changed our game plan,” added the National Hall of Fame coach. “We are still a young bunch. I am proud of how hard we fought. We never quit.”

Kusic completed 7-of-11 passes for 171 yards. He also rushed for 48 stripes while Martin added 38 yards.

Central takes to the road next week, visiting Midland Trail.