By Bill Nestor
This past weekend was homecoming at West Virginia Wesleyan University. It would provide a battle of the Bobcats as Frostburg State, the top football team in the Mountain East Conference, came to Buckhannon.
Wesleyan was set to host its fourth consecutive home game and third prime time lock up with Frostburg being a 7:00 p.m. kick. A near capacity crowd went through pregame preparations all day long with rain in the area, but once gametime came, the precipitation subsided.
The home team had its best start to a contest of the season, and took an early lead, bringing an already rowdy crowd to an even higher level, drawing the full attention of the visitors. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jordan Brooks, making just his second start of the season, rose to the occasion to guide his offensive attack.
The Bobcats were the only unbeaten squad in the MEC remaining and ranked as the top team in all the land because of their star running back Owen Doyle and signal caller Myles Fulton. Fulton started the year with 345 yards in the air along with seven touchdowns and no interceptions while Doyle was last week’s co-offensive player in the conference. Brooks had taken over the reigns of the offense six quarters prior and was feeling the heat after Wesleyan had forced an early punt and had looked to put pressure on the inexperienced passer.
Brooks responded with a monster half that included four touchdown passes that led to a sizable halftime lead. Frostburg State would go on to take the win, mounting a one-game lead over West Virginia State University in conference standings. The Yellow Jackets are three and one after a 60 to 39 win over Fairmont State.
The University of Charleston sets at three and two following a close win over Glenville State, 31 to 28. Wheeling, Concord, and Fairmont State are all at two and two on the year. The Cardinals took the road win last time out at Fairmont while the Mountain Lions kept West Liberty winless.
This weekend a quartet of lock ups are scheduled in conference play. Frostburg State looks to stay unblemished hosting Concord at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. West Virginia Wesleyan has that Wheeling feeling, travelling to cardinal territory for a 3:30 tilt on Saturday. The only game under the lights Saturday night is at West Liberty where the Hilltoppers host West Virginia State at 6:00 p.m..
The best is last as Glenville State will host Fairmont State at 1:00 p.m Saturday at Robert C. Byrd High School. The Pioneers are having major improvements done this year and they are on the road for their home games.
Pioneer Head Coach Mike Kellar is a Shinnston native. He and assistants Brian “Bubba” Hill, J. J. Mayer, and Jeremy Harmer are tremendous coaches that are from Harrison County. They are a great group of coaches that not only do a great job, but bring a sense of pride to our area. If you have the opportunity to get out and support some talented players and coaches. The conference is full of them!
That will do it for now! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!
