Ashe Mountain Times

Two early turnovers gave Ashe County an early 14-7 lead, but it also gave the Wilkes Central Eagles the jolt it needed to invigorate a listless early performance and rout the Huskies 47-14 in Wilkesboro.  

Early on, the Eagles looked as if they would have no trouble running over the Huskies as Alex Dyer found the end zone from a few yards out just ninety seconds into the quarter. 

The flood of Wilkes Central points would, however, come later in the game as the Huskies found a needed spark when Ashe County's Cullen Ashley recovered a blocked punt to set Ashe up at the 1-yard line.

Brandon Wingler would do the rest as powered through the Eagles' defensive front and scored the ensuing touchdown. 

The Eagles offensive miscues continued on the next drive when Wilkes Central coughed up the football near midfield. 

A pass interference call on an over zealous Wilkes Central cornerback would later give Ashe prime field position at the Eagles 23-yard line.

Jonathan Cox would capitalize on the Eagles' mistake as he rumbled 21 yards for a touchdown with 3:53 left to go in the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Eagles continued to struggle with turnovers as Matthew Hamilton picked off a Wilkes Central pass at the Huskies 19, again killing a promising drive that could have led to easy points. 

The Eagles would however have a shot at redemption as the Huskies were unable to capitalize on the turnover like they had on the two prior drives. 

After three plays and out by the Ashe County offense, the Eagles would take the game over on its next possession. 

Starting at its own 38, a 27-yard dash by Victor Williams would eventually put the Eagles in a first and goal situation to tie the game. 

The Eagles would then call Cameron William's number and he tasted pay dirt with 8:57 left in the first half. 

Tied at 14, the Huskies offense again went three-and-out, giving the Eagles a shot at breaking the deadlock before halftime. 

Starting at its own 39, the Eagles methodically worked their way down field. 

Altogether, the Eagles would consume nearly six minutes of clock as they worked an intermittent passing and rushing game that kept the Huskies off balance. 

A 14-yard reception by Cameron Williams put the Eagles in the Huskies' red zone yet again, and he capped off the possession two plays later for the go ahead touchdown. 

Wilkes Central again worked the clock in the third quarter, this time chewing up nearly 10 minutes of play, ending the drive on a five-yard Dyer touchdown run to extend the lead to 28-14. 

Late in the third quarter, Ashe would have a shot to pull itself back in the game when it recovered a Wilkes Central muffed punt inside the Eagles territory. 

Despite the great field position, Ashe would be unable to take advantage of its good fortunes and failed to convert on fourth and short. 

On the first play of the drive, the Eagles' Hank Trivette burst through for a 30-yard run and after a chop-in-the-back penalty on Ashe, Wilkes Central was in business at the 6-yard line. Wilkes Central's Tyler Wagner then put the game out of reach for the Huskies as broke through for a three-yard touchdown run. 

Ashe County's coup de grace moment came on the Eagles' next possession when Victor Williams jettisoned to the near sideline and broke up field for a 73-yard touchdown strike. 

Despite the score, Ashe continued to play hard and a 40-yard run by Cox again put the Huskies in Wilkes Central territory. After a Eagles' pass interference call, Ashe was on the Eagles 14-yard line, but a fumble would quickly kill the drive. 

On its final possession of the game, Wagner reeled off a 65-yard yard run to put the Eagles inside the Huskies red zone one last time. Victor Williams then put the Huskies to bed with a nine-yard touchdown run. 

Ashe (3-6, 2-4) will return to home Friday for senior night festivities against the Forbush Falcons. The Huskies will close out the regular season next week with a conference road game at East Wilkes High.