It took Fairport Harding’s football team over 3 ½ hours to drive the 226 miles to Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday but it was worth it.
The Skippers pounded the Warriors, 50-0, to improve to 2-1 on the year.
“We are proud of this team for their bounce back from last week’s loss,” Fairport coach Cameron Ruff said. ‘We had a long road trip to West Virginia and our team rose to the challenge. We played well in all three phases tonight and it showed on the scoreboard.”
Sam Schuster began the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He added the two-point conversion to increase the lead to 8-0.
Cody Paugh then ran for a 57-yard score to give the Skippers a 14-0 advantage. Paugh finished the night with 209 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
“He took the opening kickoff to the yard line to start the game,” Ruff said. “He is a team captain for his leadership by example and tonight he showed that to everyone.”
Ethan Whitt caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Schuster, who completed 5-of-6 passes for 67 yards and two scores and also scored twice on the ground.
Schuster’s second one-yard touchdown run came in the second quarter that built Fairport’s lead to 28-0 at halftime.
Paugh ran for a 20-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Justice Bartley added a 25-yard scoring reception to push the lead to 42-0.
Martin Mendoza closed out the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“Our offensive coordinator, Miles Andersen, has this offense scoring over 30 points per game so far this year,” Ruff said. “We put up 50 tonight led by Cody and spreading the ball around to other players. Our offensive line performed strong tonight and led a great offensive game. Our defense also pitched a shutout and the young kids held strong in the fourth quarter to preserve the shutout. Our special teams units were strong as well, setting up our offense and defense with great field position.”
Josiah Cooper added 48 rushing yards on three carries and Bartley caught two passes for 25 yards.
Cooper also picked off a pass and Whitt recovered a fumble forced by Dominic Knesebeck.
Jayden Alston, Mike Voiles, Deano Spiesman and Conner Williams all had sacks for the Skippers.
“We’re proud of these kids for their buy-in in the weight room and their hard work behind closed doors was for everyone to see on Friday nights,” Ruff said.
The Skippers host Lutheran West on Sept. 20.
