Kage Rohde takes full advantage of a Grant Cain block as he continues a run in which he broke several tackles before hitting the end zone for an Eagle touchdown. (Photos by Cris Jenkins)

The Magnolia Blue Eagles dropped to 2-3 on the season when they fell to the Maroon Knights of Wheeling Central Sept. 28 at Wheeling Island Stadium.

After holding the Knights scoreless in the first half, and going to the break with a 12-0 lead, Magnolia’s eight third-quarter points were answered by 13 from the visitors. And it got worse in the fourth, when Central held Magnolia scoreless while adding another 14 points to their own.

The game changer came with four seconds left in regulation and after a Wheeling Central touchdown that gave the Knights a 21-20 advantage.

Although the Blue Eagle kicking game had been iffy that night, Head Football Coach Mark Batton decided to try a field goal to give his team the win. The kick was blocked and Central’s Derek Yoche ran it back 79 yards for a Maroon Knight 27-20 victory.

“What are your options in that situation?” asked Batton. You can throw it into the end zone or you can line it up and try a field goal. We took a chance and it didn’t work out.”

Jacob Brill reaches the end zone for a touchdown.

Magnolia had 236 yards and three touchdowns rushing on 34 carries, 117 of those yards, and a touchdown, from Drew Keller on 20 totes. Jacob Brill, who first put Magnolia on the scoreboard with a 31-yard run, gathered 65 yards for Magnolia on eight carries. Kage Rohde picked up 47 yards on five carries and Andrew Smith added a yard for Magnolia.

In the passing game, the Blue Eagles picked up 152 yards and a touchdown on six for eight passes, all of them by Brill.

For Magnolia’s receiving yards, it was Eric Smith, 4-105; Andrew Smith, 1-35; and Grant Cain, 1-12.