| By Gaylen Duskey
Nothing was unexpected, even, perhaps the unexpected. That's pretty much the story in Wirt County's 48-14 victory over Calhoun Friday night in Elizabeth.
Dalton Brindo rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns. But that's to be expected since Brindo was an all-state performer as a wide receiver last year. He should be a leading candidate for all-state honors this year ⦠as a running back.
Cody Hardbarger had 166 yards rushing and the Tigers as a whole rushed for 469 yards. That was a bit unexpected except that Calhoun's rushing defense this season has been rather porous.
Calhoun got a pair of touchdowns from senior tailback Bronson Clark. Clark also added the two-point conversion. But that's to be expected since Clark, despite the Red Devils' relative lack of offense is one of the top 10 runners in the Mid-Ohio Valley and he has an outside shot at being a 1,000-yard back.
What was unexpected was the running of punter Cameron Litviak. Litviak ran for his life on a fourth-and-nine in Red Devil territory and was able to gain 20 yards giving Calhoun a first down and keeping a scoring drive alive. But it is the second time this season that Litviak has taken off from punt formation successfully. Earlier in the year he had a 41-yard run when he took off from his own end zone against St. Marys.
After spotting Wirt a 21-0 first quarter lead Calhoun came back with a drive that was highlighted by three first down conversions on fourth down.
The first came of the aforementioned Litviak's scramble on fourth-and-nine. The second came a little later when Tyler Bennett hit Logan Moore with a four-yard pass on fourth-and-three. The final came when Clark burst into the end zone from two yards out on fourth down.
Calhoun's next score came following three more Tiger touchdowns and a 40-8 lead.
This drive was sparked by the passing and running of Bennett. On the drive Bennett connected with Nathan Cosgrove. He also had a 23-yard run that took the ball to the one from where Clark scored on the ensuing play to make it 40-14.
Calhoun, 1-8, will close out the season Friday night when it plays host to Braxton County. Wirt, 6-2, travels to Mount Hope.
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