POINT PLEASANT — Senior Brock McClung kicked a 22 yard field goal with twenty six seconds remaining in the game to give the Point Pleasant Big Blacks a hard fought 23-21 victory over the Williamstown Yellow Jackets in a non-conference game played on the turf at Point Pleasant High School.

Actually, while the field goal provided McClung with hero status, he had one more outstanding play left in him. On the ensuing kickoff, McClung booted the ball to the Williamstown 8 yard line where speedy Austin Williams gathered it in. Williams avoided one tackler and made it to the 25 where he ran into McClung. The hit was fierce and resulted in Williams fumbling the football, which was recovered by the Big Blacks’ Derek Pinson. That left only for one kneel-down by quarterback Eric Roberts and the game was over. With just 22 seconds showing on the clock, it was a long shot for the Yellow Jackets to score a game-winning touchdown or even get close for a field goal. But, McClung’s vicious hit removed all doubt about the game’s outcome.

“I guess it would be an understatement to say that Brock McClung’s kick was big,” said PPHS Head Coach Dave Darst. “I’m very happy for him. He missed on a couple of chances earlier in the game and it sure was gratifying to see him step up in that situation and kick the game winning field goal,” added Darst.

The win was the third consecutive one for the Big Blacks, but this one was a bit different from the other two. In those victories -- wins over Poca and Ravenswood, the locals dominated statistically. In last night’s win over the defending Class A State Champions, the visitors had a slight edge in total yards, thanks in large part to a 231 yard passing night from quarterback Adam Kerns. The Big Blacks held the Yellow Jackets to just 132 yards on the ground, but the boys from Wood County made up for that with a finely tuned aerial attack. Kerns completed passes to four different receivers, and showed not only a strong arm, but a nice touch as well.

The Big Blacks countered with their typically strong running game, rushing for 228 yards on 46 carries, including a 206 yard performance from senior Nathan Roberts. The hard running Roberts has been on a tear of late, averaging 225 yards per game over the last four games. He now has 1,210 yards on the season, an average of 151 yards per outing.

“Nathan Roberts was the difference in the football game,” said Coach Darst. “He had a great night, or should I say another great night. When we need a big drive, we call on him and he carries us. That makes our job a little bit easier. Of course, he couldn’t do his job without the offensive line and they played real well tonight. Clay Krebs played probably his best offensive football game. He had an all-state defensive tackle in front of him out there and he dominated him. We ran Clay’s side most of the time and his delivered. We are starting to come together as a line. It’s our goal to control the line and control the football. We were able to do that tonight,” added Darst.

On the other side of the football, the defensive unit wasn’t as dominant as they have been, but their performance was more than satisfactory. They gave up a lot of yards and 21 points, but were very opportunistic, forcing five Williamstown turnovers. The proud red and black defenders picked off Kerns three times and forced two fumbles. Chauncey McClanahan, Donovan Powell, and JaWaan Williams each picked off a Williamstown pass, while Derek Pinson and Layne Thompson each recovered a Yellow Jacket fumble. “We didn’t play great defense, but we played decently,” said Darst. “We gave up a few points, but we came up with plays when we needed them. We did what we had to do.”

The Big Blacks had many defensive stars during the contest, with Derek Pinson shining the brightest. Pinson recorded 11 tackles and had that big fumble recovery at the end of the game. JaWaan Williams had 10 tackles and that interception. Clay Krebs and Nathan Roberts each had 9 tackles. Chauncey McClanahan recorded 8 tackles and had that interception, while Ryan Warner also had 8 tackles.

Point got out of the blocks quickly, which just may have been the difference in the football game. The Big Blacks, who scored just three touchdowns in the game, tallied two of them during the first five minutes of action.. The first score came via the pass when Eric Roberts connected with Derek Pinson on a five yard scoring toss. The scoring play was set up by Nathan Roberts’ 64 yard return of the game’s opening kickoff. Roberts caught the ball at his own ten yard line and was finally tackled at the Williamstown 26. He then carried the ball on the first five plays of the game, before Eric opened the scoring with his toss to Pinson.

Williamstown’s initial possession lasted just five plays. Donovan Powell ended the short drive when he intercepted Kerns at the Point 42 yard line. A five yard penalty for a false start gave the locals a 1st and 15 from their own 37, but it didn’t matter. Nathan Roberts took a handoff from Eric and raced 63 yards down the right sideline to give the Blacks a two touchdown lead.

Williamstown responded with a nine play, 70 yard scoring drive, capped by Kerns’ 29 yard touchdown pass to Layne Knost. Joseph Palm added the PAT to make it a 13-7 game.

Point responded as well, but it took some help from the Yellow Jackets to find the end zone. The Big Blacks ran three plays and were forced to punt. Cody Greathouse’s punt went out of bounds at the Williamstown 48 yard line, but Point was guilty of holding on the play. Williamstown elected to have the Blacks punt again, hoping for even better field position. That strategy backfired, though, when the Yellow Jackets were flagged for roughing the punter on the next play. That penalty gave the locals a first down at their own 31 and they then marched methodically down the field, scoring on Nathan Roberts’ one yard plunge. McClung added the extra point to make it 20-7.

The Big Blacks wouldn’t score again until McClung’s heroics in the final seconds of the game. Williamstown, on the other hand, added a touchdown with two and a half minutes left in the opening half on Palm’s 6 yard run and then took the lead when Palm scored again with eight minutes left in the game.

This was a classic football game, one of the finest that local fans have been treated to in a long time.

The Big Blacks play once more at home -- next week when Herbert Hoover comes to town. The Huskies won big last night and will be in the top ten in Class AA when the new ratings come out on Tuesday. This could be another memorable contest -- don’t miss it.