For the second week in a row, Nicholas County’s offense ran roughshod.

It took a while to materialize this time around, but the defense came up big early. Two interceptions in the first quarter thwarted Liberty drives and gave the Grizzlies’ offense time to start pouring it on in a 65-18 rout, spoiling Liberty’s homecoming Friday night.

The Class AAA No. 10 Grizzlies (6-1) scored on their first possession but turned the ball over on their next two series — a fumble recovery by Russell Bailey and an interception by Jeff Wills. But the Raiders were unable to score, and interceptions by Nicholas’ Chris Vickers and Trevor Vickers put the Grizzlies in position to get rolling.

That they did.

Nicholas scored 14 points in the first quarter and 36 unanswered to take control.

“I thought the defense pretty much kept us in it,” Nicholas coach Gene Morris said. “We went down and scored there early, then we had a few mistakes and played a little lackluster. Defensively, with (linebackers) Bryan Hughes, Chris Phillips, Kyle Holcomb, plus the secondary, they do a real good job back there.

“We’re starting to get more pressure on the passer, which really helps.”

Quarterback Pat O’Dell hooked up with Jordan Hogan for three touchdowns in the first half, and Wade McKinney ran for touchdowns of 25 and 56 yards.

The Grizzlies scored 16 points in a 31-second stretch in the second quarter:

n Hogan caught a 21-yard TD pass with 5:19 left.

n The defense tackled Bailey in the end zone for a safety at the 5:06 mark.

n After the free kick, McKinney scored his second touchdown with 4:48 to go.

The defense was responsible for eight more points in the third quarter when Liberty’s backup quarterback, Devon O’Meara, was tackled in the end zone for a safety, and Trey Smith returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown.

O’Dell finished 8-of-12 for 189 yards and four touchdowns. Hogan’s other touchdowns went for 29 and 55 yards.

McKinney rushed 12 times for 161 yards.

Nicholas scored a school-record 76 points last week against Braxton County and pulled its starters midway through the second quarter. The starters were gone before the end of the third quarter against Liberty.

The Raiders, 3-4 and on a three-game losing streak, are battling a litany of injuries. Quarterback/running back Jamie Newman (knee) and receiver Luke Hodge (ankle) were lost two weeks ago in a loss to Sherman. Linebackers Danny Freeman and Zac Acord did not play in the second half, and Bailey and Muovich played hurt.

“We were outmanned and outgunned, and we knew that going in,” Liberty coach Jeff Alexander said. “But that’s just football. That’s no excuse. They are a better team. They are a good team.

“We played with them for a little while, but the cream kind of came to the top. They outplayed us. That’s just the way it is.”

Nolan Philogene had three catches for 143 yards, including a 73-yard TD, for the Raiders. He also ran 60 yards on a reverse.

Nicholas hosts Oak Hill next Friday while Liberty goes to Raleigh County rival Independence.

— E-mail:

gfauber@register-herald.com



Nicholas County 65, Liberty 18

NC (6-1) 14 29 22 0 — 65

L (3-4) 0 12 0 6 — 18

First Quarter

NC: Jordan Hogan 29 pass from Pat O’Dell (Josh Dalton kick), 8:48.

NC: Wade McKinney 25 run (Dalton kick), 1:42.

Second Quarter

NC: Hogan 55 pass from O’Dell (kick failed), 7:47.

NC: Hogan 21 pass from O’Dell (Dalton kick), 5:19.

NC: Safety (Russell Bailey tackled in the end zone), 5:06.

NC: McKinney 56 run (Dalton kick), 4:48.

L: Nolan Philogene 73 pass from Bailey (run failed), 3:48.

NC: Bryan Hughes 35 pass from O’Dell (Dalton kick), 2:08.

L: Michael Muovich 3 pass from Bailey (run failed), :09.1.

Third Quarter

NC: McKinney 5 run (Dalton kick), 7:35.

NC: Zach Mayes 1 run (Dalton kick), 4:54.

NC: Safety (Devon O’Meara tackled in end zone), 7:28.

NC: Trey Smith 65 interception return (kick failed), 4:01.

Fourth Quarter

L: Luke Wright 4 run (pass failed), 2:50.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — NC: McKinney 12-161, O’Dell 10-64, J.P. McClung 4-41, Dylan Horney 8-21, Chris Phillips 2-11, Adam Adkins 1-8, Mayes 2-(-2). L: Wright 6-39, Del Long 9-24, Nolan Philogene 1-60, Joey Turner 2-17, Trey Fitzwater 1-8, Jeff Wills 4-7, Corey Collins 1-4, Bailey 5-(-7), O’Meara 1-(-12).

PASSING — NC: O’Dell 8-12-1-189-4. L: Bailey 8-15-3-180-1, O’Meara 2-5-2-15-0.

RECEIVING — NC: Hogan 4-120, McKinney 2-26, Hughes 1-35, Jordan Ramsey 1-4. L: Muovich 4-53, Philogene 3-143, O’Meara 1-5, Collins 1-4.

TURNOVERS — NC: Trevor Vickers (INT), Chris Vickers (INT), Ramsey (INT), Smith (INT), McClung (INT). L: Bailey (FR), Wills (INT), Danny Freeman (FR).