With 10 minutes to go in the game, the Chillicothe Cavaliers had battled and fought even with the host Pirates. (Hear a five-minute interview with coach Pryor below.)
A 68 yard touchdown run by Wheelersburg on the second play of the game was the only difference in a 10-3 Pirate lead.
As quickly as an earlier storm came through, Wheelersburg scored 19 straight points in 6 minutes to pull away and seal a win over the Cavaliers.
A tough penalty on the Cavs defense set up the Pirates for a field goal. Then the Cavs special teams produced back to back mistakes on kick off returns, twice trying to return from their goal line and going down on their own 2 yard line.
A safety, an ensuing Pirate return to the Cavs 15 (and touchdown run a few plays later) pretty much sealed the deal for the Pirates.
Down 19-3, the Cavs had to try and hit a big pass. Wheelersburg picked off a Doughty pass intended for Xavier Doss and returned it 25 yards for a final score with 4:39 left in the game.
The Cavaliers showed a lot of physical toughness, especially the defense against the tough running game of Wheelersburg. One of the key times for Chillicothe came in the second quarter when the Cavs drove 70 yards and had first and goal at the Burg 7.
Chillicothe had to settle for a Crawford field goal instead of a game tying touchdown. The Cavs had a bunch of positives to build on until the late mistakes.
Chillicothe (0-2) returns home for the next three weeks, starting with Columbus Walnut Ridge next Friday.
Submitted by Barbara Bigam