University High rushing attack overwhelms Preston in 55-7 victory
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MORGANTOWN – University wasted little time showing Preston what kind of night it would be on the ground Friday with a ground assault that couldn't be stopped throughout a 55-7 victory for the Hawks.
UHS finished with 444 rushing yards on just 17 carries, averaging an astounding 26.1 yards per attempt. Five different University players recorded a run of at least 29 yards, while junior Brody Kehler and senior Jaedyn Katchur combined for 310 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
With the highly anticipated Mohawk Bowl set for next week, UHS head coach Eric Snyder was impressed by his players’ ability to be present for the game at hand in Week 9.
"We posed a lot of challenges to our guys this week," Snyder said. "I think as a whole we were dropping off a bit recently, and it cost us last week with some of the carelessness. The kids accepted that challenge, and it was great to see them have the maturity to do that and get everything straightened out."
Kehler set the tone on the Hawks' second offensive play, breaking loose for a 66-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes remaining in the first quarter. He struck again less than five minutes later, racing 53 yards to the end zone to extend University's lead to 14-0.
Katchur added a 61-yard touchdown run with 2:25 left in the opening quarter, capping a dominant stretch in which the Hawks scored on their first three possessions.
University continued to find the end zone in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Harrison Helbig connected with fellow senior Kaleil Lewis for a 42-yard touchdown, giving the Hawks a 28-0 advantage with 11:29 remaining in the half.
Preston attempted to build momentum with a pair of fourth-down conversions, moving into University territory. However, Luke Braham halted the drive with a spectacular interception, reading a screen pass from Preston senior quarterback Rowan Cramer and reaching out his fingertips to pluck the ball from the air.
The turnover quickly turned into more points for the Hawks. Two plays later, Helbig found Branden Custer for an 18-yard touchdown pass, making it 35-0.
University recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff and capitalized again, with Kehler scoring from 18 yards out. Katchur then broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run with just 6.6 seconds remaining in the first half, sending the Hawks into the break with a commanding 49-0 lead.
Kehler finished with 161 yards on five carries and three touchdowns, averaging 32.2 yards per attempt. Katchur added 149 yards on three carries and two scores.
The Hawks also received 59 yards on a run from Elijah Morris and 47 yards on a run from Hayden George, further illustrating the explosiveness of the ground game.
Preston found its answer in the third quarter after intercepting a pass. The Knights moved into scoring position, and William Lilly broke free for a 19-yard touchdown run with 3:27 remaining in the quarter.
UHS backup QB Nico Maisel later scored on a 9-yard run with 3:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, accounting for the final points of the night.
Cramer led Preston with 76 rushing yards on 17 carries and completed 3-of-12 passes for 37 yards. Lilly finished with 48 rushing yards and the Knights' lone touchdown.
The Knights will host Buckhannon-Upshur next week in a crucial matchup with major playoff implications.
University will travel across town to Wilson Avenue for the Mohawk Bowl.
BOX SCORE
University 55, Preston 7
PHS 0 0 0 7 – 7
UHS 21 28 0 6 – 55
SCORING SUMMARY
UHS – Kehler 66 run (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Kehler 53 run (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Katchur 61 run (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Lewis 42 pass/Helbig (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Custer 18 pass/Helbig (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Kehler 18 run (Goodenow XP)
UHS – Katchur 67 run (Goodenow XP)
PHS – Lilly 19 run (Taylor XP)
UHS – Maisel 9 run (XP no good)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: University – Kehler 5-161-3TD, Katchur 3-149-2TD, Morris 1-59, George 1-47, Maisel 5-29-TD, Helbig 1-17. Preston – Cramer 17-76, Lilly 7-48-TD, Gibson 5-28, Watson 7-14, Taft 1-9, Stone 1-0, Slaughter 2-(-5).
PASSING: University – Helbig 4/7-87-2TD, Maisel 1/3-11-INT. Preston – Cramer 3/12-37-INT.
RECEIVING: University – Lewis 1-42-TD, Custer 1-18-TD, George 1-17, Meadows 1-11, Weaver 1-10. Preston – Taft – 2-32, Bishoff 1-5.