<body><div>Game Summary:Despite a long bus ride west as the visiting team, Frankfort looked much more comfortable and in-sync on Williamstown’s home field Saturday afternoon than their opponent. For a variety of reason, the Yellowjackets were just never able to get things going fully, and they fell to a very good Falcons team 27-7. This game began exactly as we thought it would, with both teams lining up on offense and running right at the opposing defense. But after the teams traded punts, Frankfort made the first move of consequence, converting a 3rd &amp; 9 on a pass from Uriah Cutter to Blake Jacobs, who got the first down and a whole lot more. Danner Hooper would make a huge stop on 3rd down, but the aggressive Falcons would go for it on 4th &amp; 2, and Carder Shanholtz would get to the outside on a run and break free for a TD. Williamstown was able to avoid disaster after fumbling the ensuing kickoff and returning the ball to the Falcons at the 21 yard-line. However, Hooper and Christian Hoosier would combine for a sack on 3rd down, and Rex Anderson would put a huge hit on Cutter to stop him short of the line to gain on 4th. The Yellowjackets would then put together a drive that would span the end of the 1st Quarter, with Lynken Joy completing a couple passes – one lofted up to Jackson Fulton as he was hit that the freshman WR came down with, and another over the top to Carson Haines for a good gain on 4th down. Joy would score on the ground from the 2-yard line to get the Yellowjackets on the board. As they would do all afternoon, Frankfort responded by putting together a long, punishing, 13-play drive that featured only one pass play. The Falcons’ 3-headed monster at RB, Julian Pattison (6’2, 200lbs), Jacobs (6’1, 195lbs), and Shanholtz (5’9, 175lbs) took turns running right at the Williamstown defense, as the OL in front of them began to win the battles in the trenches. Pattison and Jacobs in particular were highly impressive during the game, and their runs would allow Frankfort to get deep into Williamstown territory before Cutter capped the drive with a QB sneak to put the Falcons back on top. The Yellowjackets put together a long drive of their own before the end of the half, getting the ball back with just about 4:30 left in the 3rd Quarter. However, a big completion and great catch along the sideline by Cooper Martin was not enough to get them in the end zone, as a 4th down pass from Joy was deflected at the line of scrimmage (that happened 5-6 times on Saturday, especially from 6’6, 260lb DL Lane Lease). Williamstown would go into halftime trailing by a touchdown. Williamstown came out of the 2nd Half and again established a substantial series (11 plays), with Joy willing his way to first downs on the ground. However, they walked away with nothing to show for it, after Joy’s pass on 4th &amp; 6 on their own 48 fell incomplete. Frankfort made the Yellowjackets pay for their stalled drive, taking over around midfield and handing the ball off to their backs, primarily Pattison…who scored from 3 yards out deep into the 3rd Quarter. Williamstown had an opportunity to get a stop on a 3rd &amp; 8, but Cutter completed a clutch slant to move the chains and set up 1st &amp; Goal. A 13-play drive would mark Williamstown’s next possession, in which Joy again carried the load for the Yellowjackets (including one of the most physical finishes to a run I’ve ever seen, when the Williamstown QB absolutely trucked a Falcons’ defender). Unfortunately for the home team, Joy would throw an INT on what looked like a miscommunication with his reciever, and Frankfort would take over at their own 5-yard line. Just six plays later, Pattison would break free right up the middle and run away from the defense for a 74-yard TD. Williamstown would turn it over on downs again, and Frankfort would then run out the clock and secure the victory. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Dm0gC_0wDvhH2P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Dm0gC_0wDvhH2P00" width="2016" height="1512" ><figcaption>Williamstown’s defense lines up against Frankfort’s offense.</figcaption></figure>Thoughts and Takeaways:<ul><li>Look, games like this sometimes happen. It was clear coming in that Frankfort would have some size advantages that Williamstown would need to overcome, and the Yellowjackets just didn’t do it today. There’s no shame in losing to this type of team – though I’m sure Coach Beck was not pleased with how his guys played today. But let’s not take anything away from Frankfort…because they are good. </li><li>Besides their trio of backs and the steady hand of Cutter under center, need to recognize the Falcons’ big boys on the line of scrimmage. Lease and Brayden Shipway (6’2, 280lbs) were the headliners and really stood out with a bunch of plays defensively, but Daniel Marley (6’1, 250lbs) also had a good day. </li><li>Other than Pattison, who was excellent, the Falcons’ best player may have been TE/LB Jett McCullough (6’3, 225lbs). He was mean and nasty blocking in the run game and always seemed to be around the ball on defense. Very good player. </li></ul><ul><li>Lynken Joy showed a lot of heart, repeatedly running into the teeth of the defense without big holes to run through, on a day when his team wasn’t able to get much going on the ground outside of him. The senior QB was also up and down in the passing game, and his receivers (Martin, Fulton, Haines) did make some plays for him. </li><li>Tough day for the normally-excellent Williamstown run defense, who just could not get off the field and consistently allowed the Falcons to be in 3rd &amp; short, which they often converted. I wouldn’t say that Frankfort was necessarily the more physical team (I thought both teams were very tough), but they certainly executed better than Williamstown did today. </li></ul>In Closing…This does not come close to defining Williamstown’s season, and despite the score, a few plays here and there could have made this one much more competitive. When Frankfort needed it, they got it – it was the opposite for Williamstown today, and sometimes that happens. Will be less than surprised if these two teams meet again with much more on the line. Looking forward to it already. <ul><li>Up Next: Williamstown will be on a bye next week, then on the road at Doddridge County.</li></ul>Interested in learning more about MOV Gridiron, or finding out how you can partner with our content? Please email Brett Hower at brett@movgridiron.com. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

GOTW RECAP : Frankfort Controls Williamstown, Wins 27-7

Despite a long bus ride west as the visiting team, Frankfort looked much more comfortable and in-sync on Williamstown’s home field Saturday afternoon than their opponent. For a variety of reason, the Yellowjackets were just never able to get things going fully, and they fell to a very good Falcons team 27-7.