McGuffey runs over Waynesburg in second half
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Will McGuffey and quarterback Connor Crowe (8) be celebrating tonight? The Highlanders host Washington with the top spot in the Class 2A Century Conference on the line in the final night of the high school football regular season.
Mark Marietta
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Waynesburg quarterback Jacob Stephenson (6) lines up behind the blocking of Layden Haynes (63) and sprints for the Raiders’ first score in the first quarter.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
McGuffey running back Charles Wagers (15) is hoisted as he and his teammates celebrate his three-yard touchdown run that tied the score against Waynesburg in the second quarter.
Mark Marietta
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
McGuffey quarterback Connor Crowe skips past the final Waynesburg defender and scores from the seven-yar54d line in the fourth quarter of the Highlanders’ 26-7 victory over Waynesburg.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
McGuffey quarterback Connor Crowe (8) looks to cut against Waynesburg defender Colby Pauley (7).
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Waynesburg's Ross Tennant (26) returns a second-quarter kickoff.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
McGuffey running back Charles Wagers tries to turns the corner on a run.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
McGuffey defenders celebrate a fourth-quarter interception that stopped Waynesburg.
CLAYSVILLE – Knute Rockne would have been proud of the way McGuffey’s football team played Friday night.
The Higlanders scored three second-half touchdowns to take a 26-7 victory from previously undefeated Waynesburg in a Class 2A Century Conference game on the gray artificial turf of McGuffey.
The Highlanders are 2-0 in the conference and 3-2 overall. Waynesburg falls to 1-1 in the conference and 4-1 overall.
McGuffey takes on Sto-Rox next week on the road and Waynesburg hosts Washington.
Dylan Drobol scored on two short runs in the second half and quarterback Connor Crowe scored on a four-yard plunge for the Highlanders to account for the second-half points.
“It was a different mindset that we had in the second half,” said Crowe. “We played together as a team.”
Crowe thought blocking the Dalton Taylor field goal attempt as the first half expired was a huge play.
“When we blocked that field goal, the energy changed,” said Crowe. Absolutely, it was the turning point in the game.”
McGuffey head coach Ed Dalton said it is either the system or the players that make a team successful.
“They are a player team,” Dalton said of Waynesburg. “They want to get the ball to this guy and that guy. We are a system team. We just think our style of play leads us to be consistent.
“There were a massive amount of plays. We blocked the kick before halftime. I think we could have been up by 14 or 21 points at halftime. We had some self inflicted wounds, but I guess they could say the same thing.”
Droboj was one of five players who ran the ball out of McGuffey’s flexbone backfield. He gained 37 yards on 10 carries.
“It’s amazing to play in this offense,” said Droboj. “It’s physical but I’m ready for it. The line pushed open the holes for me.”
Crowe ran for 93 yards on nine carries and Charles Wagers gained 45 on eight attempts.
“Connor is like a magician,” Dalton said. “He’s as good an option quarterback as we ever had. He was 11 for 12 on his reads. If he’s 11 for 12, then we’re going to be pretty good.”
Waynesburg head coach Aaron Giorgi was not available for comment after the game.
Waynesburg quarterback Jake Stephenson completed 9 of 18 pass attempts for 62 yards. He also ran for 70 yards on 11 attempts.
The first half ended in a 7-7 tie but Waynesburg had to feel frustrated. The Raiders opened the game with an 11-play, 68-yard drive that was capped by a six-yard touchdown run by Stephenson.
McGuffey answered on its next possession, driving 56 yards on 15 plays and tying the score when Wagers bulled over from three yards out. Dylan Stewart’s extra point tied the score at a touchdown apiece.
McGuffey then turned the ball over as running back Droboj fumbled and Waynesburg recovered at the 37-yard line.
Stephenson launched a beautiful pass that hit Zach Jiblits in stride for an apparent touchdown. But Waynesburg was called for a holding penalty, negating the touchdown. McGuffey’s defense then forced a punt on fourth down.
Near the end of the half, Waynesburg drove to the McGuffey 3-yard line. But an incomplete pass brought a fourth down and Dalton Taylor’s 23-yard field goal attempt was blocked, which seemed to pump life into McGuffey.
Waynesburg 7 0 0 0 — 7
McGuffey 0 7 7 12 –26
Wbg-Jake Stephenson, 6 run (Dalton Taylor kick) 6:52 1st
McG-Charles Wagers, 3 run 11:57 2nd
McG-Dylan Droboj, 4 run (Dylan Stewart kick0 6:51 3rd
McG-Connor Crowe, 4 run (run failed) 8:15 3rd
McG-Droboj, 1 run (pass failed) 2:36 4th