For Capital, this was more like it.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For Capital, this was more like it.
A week after turnovers, mistakes and dropped passes doomed the Cougars to a season-opening loss to George Washington, they came ready to play Friday night.
Sophomore Keion Wright headed a powerful rushing attack with 126 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries as Capital rebounded with a 21-7 victory over Cabell Midland at Laidley Field.
Everything was coming up roses for the Cougars Friday night:
Fullback James Woods nearly joined Wright in the century club, as he added 91 yards on just 14 carries and Capital pounded out 232 yards on the ground.
The Cougars didn't have a punt or a turnover until just 8:38 remained in the game and they were safely ahead 21-0. They finished with one of each and were penalized only once.
Capital's defense held the Knights to a net of 168 yards, and limited tailback Brad Jenkins to 29 yards on 10 carries. Jenkins ran for 233 yards and three TDs in last week's overtime win against two-time defending Class AAA champion Parkersburg.
"We were better this week in every phase of the game,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine. "Every team makes its biggest improvement from the first week to the second week, and without a doubt I think we made improvements. A lot of kids played well for us.''
Midland didn't score until quarterback Tyler Bartley's 1-yard run with 1:38 left in the game.
The Knights had two other promising drives - they reached as deep as the Capital 14 on their first possession before handing it over on downs, and made it to the Cougars 18 in the third quarter when sophomore linebacker John Morrison swiped the ball out of Jenkins' hands. That turnover set up the drive for Capital's final TD.
"We just couldn't get anything going on offense or defense,'' said Cabell Midland coach Chip McMillian. "We just got our butts kicked, it's as simple as that. Capital's a very good football team and we told our guys that all week.''
Bartley, who was sacked five times by a fierce Capital pass rush, completed 5-of-9 passes for 54 yards.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For Capital, this was more like it.
A week after turnovers, mistakes and dropped passes doomed the Cougars to a season-opening loss to George Washington, they came ready to play Friday night.
Sophomore Keion Wright headed a powerful rushing attack with 126 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries as Capital rebounded with a 21-7 victory over Cabell Midland at Laidley Field.
Everything was coming up roses for the Cougars Friday night:
Fullback James Woods nearly joined Wright in the century club, as he added 91 yards on just 14 carries and Capital pounded out 232 yards on the ground.
The Cougars didn't have a punt or a turnover until just 8:38 remained in the game and they were safely ahead 21-0. They finished with one of each and were penalized only once.
Capital's defense held the Knights to a net of 168 yards, and limited tailback Brad Jenkins to 29 yards on 10 carries. Jenkins ran for 233 yards and three TDs in last week's overtime win against two-time defending Class AAA champion Parkersburg.
"We were better this week in every phase of the game,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine. "Every team makes its biggest improvement from the first week to the second week, and without a doubt I think we made improvements. A lot of kids played well for us.''
Midland didn't score until quarterback Tyler Bartley's 1-yard run with 1:38 left in the game.
The Knights had two other promising drives - they reached as deep as the Capital 14 on their first possession before handing it over on downs, and made it to the Cougars 18 in the third quarter when sophomore linebacker John Morrison swiped the ball out of Jenkins' hands. That turnover set up the drive for Capital's final TD.
"We just couldn't get anything going on offense or defense,'' said Cabell Midland coach Chip McMillian. "We just got our butts kicked, it's as simple as that. Capital's a very good football team and we told our guys that all week.''
Bartley, who was sacked five times by a fierce Capital pass rush, completed 5-of-9 passes for 54 yards.
"They're extremely quick on defense,'' McMillian said, "and they run to the ball extremely well. That's what they did to us. That's what they make you do. They're so quick on the line and around the ball that we had some pass protection breakdowns. Give all the credit to them.''
Senior linebacker Jake Kelly headed the Capital defense with 13 tackles (seven solo, six assists), including three tackles for losses, all in the first half. He also caught a 19-yard pass.
"We practiced real hard this week,'' Kelly said, "and our second-stringers gave us a good look. We knew what was coming every time they ran a play. We knew everything that was coming toward us.
"So many people stepped up - James Woods played fantastic. Our linebackers were fantastic, Keion Wright ... everybody had big plays, even our young guys. Everybody was playing as team, as a family.''
Wright, who had 175 yards rushing against GW in the opener, bumped his season total past 300 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 1 and 13 yards.
Beane, who was intercepted four times last week, was picked off once Friday - a desperation pass on third and long that was as good as a punt. It was his only pass attempt of the second half.
He connected with junior tight end Francis Nice on a 16-yard post pattern for a touchdown with 16 seconds left in the first half. Beane finished 3-of-8 for 57 yards.
Woolwine pointed out that the Cougars are right where they were last year at 1-1 - after a 19-7 loss to GW and a victory over Midland.
"Of course, we're disappointed with last week,'' he said, "because we think we played better than the score indicated. Our kids believe in each other and they felt they were in the same boat as last year.
"We had a really good practice Friday [after Thursday's game with GW] and another on Monday, Labor Day. That tells you something. Even after a loss, they came out like that the next day, and that tells you something about attitude and leadership. I know the coaching staff is really proud of them. We still have a ways to go to be where we want to be, but if we do those things, we'll let the chips fall where they fall.''
Reach Rick Ryan at 348-5175 or rickr...@wvgazette.com.
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