By Stephen Smoot
In a saga worthy of the olden stories of Saint George, Pendleton County’s football squad embarked on a lengthy trek last week. They traversed the state on a rainy, windy day, winding through mountains and hills, valleys and hollers.
Along the way, their quest seemed for naught. The bus they used for conveyance failed. Undaunted, they continued on until they found themselves in a Wetzel County village not far from the mighty Ohio River.
There, the champions of Pendleton County did unsheathe their weapons and follow the plan of attack. Though defeated during the past few years, this time the Wildcats emerged from the battle the victors. In a far off land, they demonstrated that their spirit and skills remained untamed even as they endured the best that the Dragons could throw their direction.
Cameron has fought their way to the top of West Virginia Class A football standings in recent years. Last year, they fell to fellow Ohio Valley Class A power Wahama in the state title game.
Before entertaining Pendleton County, the Dragons had put together a six and two record. Their most recent win came in a baseball score type finish, defeating East Hardy 8-7.
Both teams had already officially qualified for the postseason. Home field advantage remained a powerful incentive for both, but knocking off the Dragons after years of frustration may have added fuel to the Wildcats effort. They showed it by striking first in the game, leading at the end of the first quarter 7-0.
Numbers analysis by Max Preps shows that Pendleton County enjoyed a better average in scoring in the first half during the season than their opponents. The Wildcats averaged 9.7 in the first and 14.8 in the second. Cameron averaged 8.5 and 12.0 respectively. The numbers held as the Wildcats took a 14-6 lead into the half.
Pendleton County’s offense put up strong numbers on the ground and in the air. The Wildcat offensive line has protected the quarterback Colton Roberson well all season, but has shown tremendous improvement in blocking for the running game. Even as some running backs suffered injury, the line continued to create holes and creases.
Last Friday, Roberson carried the ball 15 times for 66 yards with Braylon Willis rushing nine times for 27. Much like Rich Rodriguez against Colorado the next day, Zac Smith, head coach, put a non-traditional player in the backfield to give his team depth. Curtis Jones Jr., a linebacker, responded with two touchdowns.
Sam Eason, normally a lineman, rushed one time for four yards for the Wildcats.
While Roberson has served as a running mainstay after early season tailback injuries, Willis has emerged as a solid back with enough shiftiness to fool defenders at the line and pick up additional yards.
Great programs do not fold easily. The Dragons found themselves outplayed and outscored in the first half. They returned to action in the third quarter determined to put the Wildcats in the line of fire, racking up 14 points and holding Pendleton County to none in the third.
As the final quarter opened, the Wildcats found themselves in an all too frustrating position vis-à-vis the Dragons, down 20-14.
Pendleton County showed all season long that one of its most important reactions to adversity lies in scoring points at a feverish pace. Moorefield endured such an onslaught in the second quarter against the Wildcats last week.
The Wildcats ran away with the fourth, scoring 22 while allowing eight for a final of 36-28.
Roberson has the luxury of a full complement of experienced, tough, fast, and sure handed receivers at hand. Travis Owens led all with eight catches for 101 yards. Chase Owens had four for 61, Britton Lough, four for 42, and Cameron Wyatt, two catches for 25.
The challenge for any defense lies in finding personnel to cover all four while still watching for Roberson’s scrambling ability.
On Friday, the Wildcats will host Greenbrier West with the possibility of welcoming East Hardy the following week, should they upend Sherman.
Greenbrier West, who lost their number one ranking in a defeat to the Wildcats in week one in 2024, has a four and five record on the season. Their one mutual opponent with the Wildcats is Pocahontas County, whom Greenbrier West narrowly beat 16-14.
