Roger Whitehead
Special to The Randolph Guide
CLIMAX —
The Providence Grove High School varsity football squad turned in another standout defensive performance last week, turning back Wheatmore 17-7 in a nonconference game.
Putting 17 first-half points on the scoreboard, the Patriots made the lead stand up to capture their initial victory of the season. Both teams are now 1-1.
Providence Grove stopped the Warriors on the opening possession to force a punt. This set up a 74-yard, eight-play drive that was capped of by a 11-yard scamper by Ernie Patterson.
Alex Suarez tacked on the PAT kick for a 7-0 lead on a march that featured the Patriot running game. Keshon Purvis sparked the attack with runs of 34 and 15 yards.
Late in the opening quarter, John Hodges picked off a Wheatmore pass attempt at the 12 and returned it to the Warrior 5.
On the first play of the second stanza, Patterson hit paydirt, slicing off the left side on a five-yard run. Suarez’s kick made it 14-0.
The score stood for most of the remainder of the half until Providence Grove’s defense forced another punt.
After partially blocking the kick, the Patriots took over at the Wheatmore 31 yard line.
On second down, AJ Lawrence connected with Jasper Milligan on a 11-yard pass, but the threat stalled and the Patriots were forced to settle on a 31-yard field goal by Suarez to make it 17-0.
“We moved the ball fairly well in the first half,” said PGHS Head Coach Todd Shuping, “but had too many penalties. We have got to cut down on our offensive mistakes.”
Mistakes hurt both teams in the third period as the Warriors lost the handle on three fumbles, turning the ball over each time. However, the Patriots were unable to capitalize with points.
Providence Grove was forced to punt twice before a fumble, recovered by Chris Clubb, gave Wheatmore the ball at the PG 23.
In five plays the Warriors reached the scoreboard on a one-yard plunge by Josh Rickert.
The drive was highlighted by a 18-yard pass from QB Van Peedin to Bryant Everhart. The PAT kick by Ricky Lockhart made it 17-7.
Neither club made a serious scoring threat in the fourth quarter, a period that had three punts, two lost fumbles and a pass interception.
“Our defense is keeping us in the games,” Shuping said. “We need to get better, more consistent on offense.”
Providence Grove posted 11 first downs, holding the Warriors to just four.
The Patriots racked up 182 yards rushing, 120 in the first half. Wheatmore was contained to 89 yards on the ground.
This week PGHS looks for its second straight win, remaining at home to face East Montgomery at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a nonconference clash.
