West Holmes (6-2, 4-1) has been an offensive juggernaut this season averaging 40 points per game, but last week against Ashland it took strong defense and a consistent running game to take a 20-6 win over the Arrows (4-4, 2-3).
The Knights won their fourth straight game thanks to a running attack led by quarterback Morgan Smith that amassed 267 yards en route to the victory. It was the second loss in a row for the Arrows.
The Knights got the scoring started in the first quarter on an eight yard touchdown pass from Smith to Nate Fair. The scoring play ended what was a 75-yard drive. The Arrows then had a long drive of their own, ending with a Nathan Bernhard screen pass to Michael Franz that he took 35-yards for a score. Franz followed blocked, brushed off a defender and then put on the burners down the sideline for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked and West Holmes had a 7-6 lead.
Both defenses proved to be on top of their game in the second quarter, holding the offenses to no points, making it a one point lead for West Holmes going into the second half. Tyler Sauder had a leaping pick for Ashland in the second quarter.
West Holmes went up 14-6 on a five-yard touchdown run by Kyle Maltrich in the third quarter, and then Smith ran one in from 13 yards out in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Smith was 12-for-18 for 149 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions in the win. He got most of his damage done on the ground with 183 yards rushing.
Bernhard threw for 192 yards and a passing touchdown to Franz.
West Holmes had 23 first downs and the Knights were 7-for-8 on third down conversions. They had a 416-250 yard advantage, allowing only 58 rushing yards on the day.
Remaining games for West Holmes:
Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. at New Philadelphia
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. vs. Mt. Vernon
Remaining games for Ashland:
Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. vs. Wooster
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at Lexington
