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Preston falls to 0-3 with 41-0 loss to Robert C. Byrd

CLARKSBURG — For the second time in three games, the Preston football team was unable to find the end zone, this time in a 41-0 loss to Robert C. Byrd on Friday night.

The Knights (0-3) are off to a slow start this season, suffering a season-opening loss at home to North Marion 32-0 on Sept. 4, followed by a 46-13 loss at John Marshall on Sept. 11.

“We’re not playing very well, we’re not playing very smart,” PHS coach Jonathan Tennant said. “We don’t execute on offense, defense…”

The Knights trailed just 7-0 in the first quarter, although the Eagles earned their only touchdown just two plays into the game — a 63-yard Tommy Hawkins run, followed by a 7-yard score by Jeremiah King.

It snowballed for PHS from there, as RCB (3-0) scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to go up 35-0 at halftime, a score that stood to allow an accelerated fourth quarter running clock.

“We lack consistency,” Tennant said. “We’re giving up way too many big plays on defense. We had the kid in the backfield several times. They’re a good team, they’re a playoff team and they showed it. They made the big plays when they had to.”

PHS moved to freshman quarterback Dylan Taylor in the second half, and Tennant said he was pleased with his performance.

The Knights will hit the road for the third straight week on Sept. 25, taking on Lewis County.

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