MORGANTOWN — One week ago, the University High football team left Parkersburg South embarrassed.
A 78-14 loss will do that to a team.
On Friday, the Hawks ran out of the locker room and had roughly one-third of the team tackled by the banner that the UHS cheerleaders were holding.
Another embarrassing moment.
But this one was much easier to overcome as University shrugged off a slow start on its way to a 43-12 win over Brooke on Friday night at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium.
“Rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated,” UHS head coach John Kelley said. “I’m proud of the way the kids responded tonight. We are back on track and played like University High with some pride and some attitude.”
It was an ugly start for both teams as the Bruins (2-1) fumbled on their first possession and the Hawks misfired on three-straight passes and had to settle for a 34-yard field goal from John Coleman for a 3-0 lead.
The Hawks (2-1) grabbed a 10-0 lead when defensive lineman Gavin Powroznik intercepted a pass and returned it eight yards for a touchdown.
“Honestly, when I caught that ball, I didn’t know what to do with,” Powroznik, who plays offensive and defensive line, said with a chuckle. “I saw my guys turn around and start blocking, so I figured I would try to make something out of it. It was definitely a morale booster as it showed us that we can score and we can shut (Brooke) down.”
University’s defense did just that as Brooke had under 100 yards total well into the third quarter and finished with just 247 yards with much of those coming late in the contest.
“We weren’t very efficient in the first half on offense,” Kelley said. “They had a lot of turnovers but our field-goal kicking was good and that got us some points. We have got to be more efficient in the red zone.”
Coleman finished with three field goals in the contest and caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Hudson in the third quarter while converting 4 of 5 PATs on the evening.
Brooke finished with six turnovers. Powroznik had a hand in three of them as he recovered two fumbles and had the pick-6.
“It was all business this week,” Powroznik said. “Practice was tougher, and we got on the guys as seniors. We were all watching film and we weren’t leaving until we got everything right. These team is dedicated, and we will stay until its dark out every day.”
Brooke coach Mac McLean said he thought the UHS defense was the difference in the game.
“I had to replace the entire left side of our offensive line tonight and we are playing our second and third quarterback,” McLean said. “I thought University really controlled the game with their defense early on.”
Still, the Hawks led 22-0 at halftime as Coleman connected on his three field goals, Powroznik had his touchdown and Jaeden Hammack scored on an 11-yard run.
The second half saw the UHS offense finally find some rhythm.
Coleman caught his score and Hudson also connected with Hammack on a 19-yard scoring strike. Sebastian Dalton also had a 48-yard run.
Brooke added two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.
“In the second half, we got a little bit of a running game and I think that opened up the passing game,” Kelley said. “Last week was an anomaly. That is not even a football team that I recognize. The kids were embarrassed, they were told they were the worst football team in West Virginia, that we were the laughingstock of the state. They responded very well tonight.”
University returns to action next Friday when it hosts Wheeling Park at 7:30 p.m.
By ERIC HERTER
Brooke 0 0 0 12 12
UHS 10 12 14 7 43
1st Quarter
UHS – John Coleman 34 FG
UHS – Gavin Powroznik 8 interception return (Coleman kick)
2nd Quarter
UHS – Coleman 24 FG
UHS – Coleman 27 FG
UHS – Jaeden Hammack 11 run (kick fail)
3rd Quarter
UHS – Coleman 33 pass from Luke Hudson (Coleman kick)
UHS – Hammack 19 pass from Hudson (Coleman kick)
4th Quarter
BHS – Gus Gilbert 12 pass from Garrett Hornick (pass fail)
UHS – Sebastian Dalton 48 run (Coleman kick)
BHS – Gilbert 45 pass from Hornick (pass fail)
RUSHING: Brooke – Gavin Moore 8-10, Camden Taylor 1-2, Hunter Mozingo 5-54, Jace Campenelli 5-1, Garrett Hornick 2-2. UHS – Avery Dalton 9-45, Sebastian Dalton 10-70, Jaeden Hammack 1-11, Donovan Demidovich 4-11, Alex Donato 4-15.
PASSING: Brooke – Mozingo 4-12-1 50, Hornick 10-14-1 128. UHS – Luke Hudson 11-22-0 208, Jack Byrer 0-1-0 0.
RECEIVING: Brooke – Moore 5-64, Taylor 1-13, Anthony Bachinski 4-40, Gus Gilbert 2-57. UHS – Hammack 7-106, A. Dalton 2-17, Benny Carter 1-41, S. Dalton 1-14, John Coleman 1-33.
