Johnson's Parkersburg too much for Redskins 38-14

Maybe it was the lack of the horse prancing around during the pre-game, or not having Coach Taylor on the sideline, or not having a capacity crowd in the stands, but this game did not feel right, right from the start.

Hurricane has faced some talented quarterbacks over recent years. Battling against the likes of Capitals Kerry Martin and GW's Grant wells for 4 years now, but on Friday night Parkersburg's Jake Johnson topped the aforementioned signal callers.

Johnson was 18-22 for 232 yard passing which included a nifty screen pass to RB Toler Moler that put the Big Reds ahead for good 14-7 midway through the 2nd quarter. Johnson, the MSAC's leading passer, did even more damage on the ground, hurting Hurricane as he rushed for 112 yards on 14 carries and 3 TDs. Most of his success were crucial scrambles for key first downs when the game was tight during the first half.

After Johnson scored to break a scoreless tie, Hurricane put together a strong drive, capped off by a Nathan Roy QB sneak to give Hurricane their only lead 7-6.

Incredibly, despite 4 1st half turnovers, Parkersburg would extend their lead to 20-6 on a Brendon Strange TD run. Strange, a Penn State comitt was "held" to 83 receiving yards on 6 catches.

The 3rd member of Parkersburg's impressive offensive trio, Tyler Moler, the MSAC leading rusher did his damage as well gaining 145 rushing yards on 27 attempts adding a rushing TD.

After Parkersburg scored first in the 2nd half, Hurricane tried to fight back into the game and when Roy found R.J. Engel in the end zone from 22 yards out, the Redskins were within 26-14.

After the defense, which was led by Walker James (17 tackles), J.T. Cooper (15 tackles) and Cameron Kimble (13 tackles) appeared to have forced a rare Big Red 3 and out, a silly unsportsmanlike penalty gave Parkersburg a gift first down. The Big reds took advantage and proceeded to score effectively ending the contest.

NOTES:

Christian Hill bounced back from last week and gained 119 yards on, for him, a limited 17 totes.

Roy finished 4-15-2-1 for 48 yards, a victim of a few dropped passes. He was intercepted twice on the night, after only throwing 1 pick this season coming into the game.

Walker James, Charlie Womack, Jordan Williams, Chase Lauerman, and Kryzstof Kudlak were all credited with fumble recoveries. Womack also registered 11 tackles.

Hurricane fell to 3-5, and will need wins as they close the season with South Charleston, and St. Albans to salvage a .500 season, qualify for the playoffs, and avoid a losing record for the first time this century.