UHS scores twice on defense, runs past Washington, 56-7
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MORGANTOWN - As it turns out, University High can use its defense to put points on the scoreboard, too.
The Hawks scored two touchdowns on interception returns - a 10-yarder from Gavin Stone and a 31-yarder from Kaleil Lewis - as UHS rolled past Washington, 56-7, inside Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium on Friday.
The defensive production came just one week after the Hawks (3-0) came out on the better end of a shootout against Parkersburg South, where both teams combined for 126 points and more than 1,000 yards of offense.
A week later, UHS flexed some defensive muscle against the Patriots (1-2), giving up just one score which only came after UHS turned the ball over to give Washington a short field to work with.
"I really liked how our defense responded," UHS head coach Eric Snyder said. "Our defensive line really gets a lot of the credit. Waylon Fowler was a man in the middle for us. He's our nose guard and he created a lot of havoc. We obviously got two touchdowns from our defense, so it was a good overall night for us."
To be sure, the Hawks were still just as good on offense.
Senior quarterback Harrison Helbig threw for three touchdowns - he's got 12 TD passes through the first three games - while throwing for 86 yards on 10 of 17 passing.
Helbig connected with Branden Custer on two of his scoring tosses. A 12-yard bubble screen gave the Hawks a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and then he hit Custer again on a 1-yard quickie for a 21-7 lead.
Brody Kehler added two touchdowns rushing. His 5-yard run gave the Hawks a 28-7 lead at halftime and then he finished off the game with a 14-yard scamper for the final score. Kehler finished with 77 yards on 11 attempts.
For added measure, Helbig also hit Hayden George for a 6-yard scoring pass and Jaedyn Katchur added a 37-yard touchdown run. Katchur finished with 103 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Through three games, UHS is averaging 55.7 points per game.
"Offensively, we didn't punt, so we were still explosive there," Snyder said. "Our offensive line was punishing, especially out on the perimeter. Washington came in really looking to take away our passing game, so the box was a little light. That was a different defensive look than we saw the first two weeks.
"Once our line picked up on that, they were able to get a hat on a hat and we started moving the ball on the ground. It forced us to be a little more patient, but once we sort of figured things out, we did a good job."
UHS will host Wheeling Park at 7 p.m. next Friday. Wheeling Park (2-1) will be coming off a 16-15 victory against Musselman, in which it kicked a last-second field goal to win that game.