EAST LIVERPOOL OH- The Beavers won one of the most thrilling games of the season, as they defeated the Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights 49-35 on Friday night.

The Knights got the scoring started with a 46 yard TD pass from Payton Hildebrand to Lorenzo Ferrera. The Beavers responded quickly with an Austin Cline TD pass to Caden Foster from 26 out, and it was an early track meet at Pastore Field. The Knights got the next 2 scores thanks to a 42 yard TD pass from Hildebrand to Paxton Marling and a 18 yard TD run from Lorenzo Ferrera. The Beavers were able to keep pace before the half, as Blake Lucas scored from 8 yards out to stay within a score. Another Ferrera TD put the Knights up 28-14, but the Beavers scored before the half with an Austin Cline TD run. The score would be 28-21 at halftime.

The third quarter slowed down a lot, as both defenses came out playing well and neither team scored in the third quarter, but they saved the excitement for the 4th. On a 4th and 7, Hildebrand found Eli Tucker from 27 out to put the Knights up 35-21 with 8:15 left, seemingly putting the dagger in the Beavers. But Caleb White had other plans, as he returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house to pull the Beavers back 35-28. Beaver Local then rolled the dice on their kickoff, and it worked as Kaleb Mays executed a pooch kick that was recovered by Taylor Johnston, and the Beavers were back in business again. Austin Cline ran another one in from 21 out, 35 all, and the Beavers were back from the dead. Caden Foster then capitalized on a tip pass, picking it off and bringing it back to the Knight 46. With a chance to take their first lead of the game, Austin Cline once again used his legs on the first play of the drive to reach the end zone for a third time on the ground, and in the blink of an eye the Beavers were up 42-35. With Pastore Field rocking, louder than it has been all year, the Beavers got a stop on 4th and 2 to get the ball back and seal the deal. For good measure, Caleb White ran another one in from 9 out, and the Beavers put the final touches on an unforgettable 49-35 senior night win to head into the playoffs with a full head of steam.

They will host an opponent TBD next Friday night at Pastore Field.

*Contributed By YSN’s Mike McKenzie