Williamstown’s Carson Haines (6) hauls in a pass as Wheeling Central’s Joey Jerrome (8) defends during Friday’s game. (Photo by Nikki Allen)

WILLIAMSTOWN — Life was clearly not a beach for Williamstown.

In their debut on their newly-installed turf surface, Williamstown allowed wave upon wave from the Wheeling Central ground game to crash through the Yellowjacket defense in a 47-19 win on Friday night.

Williamstown coach Chris Beck was in no mood to use the youth of his roster as an excuse.

“If you are too young to play, I won’t play you — and if you are out there I think you can compete and do the things you need to do,” said Beck after his club dropped to 0-2. “Wheeling Central controlled the line of scrimmage, which was disappointing for us.

“A couple of turnovers in the third quarter kind of changed the game there, but it comes down to we have to find a way to get stops.”

Williamstown’s Mason Kern (4) and teammates combine to wrap up Wheeling Central’s Joey Hall (21) during Friday’s game. (Photo by Nikki Allen)

After stopping the Maroon Knights in the red zone on their initial offensive series of the game, Williamstown had no answer stopping Wheeling Central running back Kade Koroneos and quarterback Nico Kusic from chewing up yardage on the ground.

Minus one series which ended the first half, Wheeling Central scored a touchdown on four straight possessions with Koroneos the main culprit after finishing the game with 139 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns.

Kusic added 53 yards on 10 carries as the Maroon Knights (2-1) tucked away last week’s shutout loss at Fort Frye.

“Last week put a bitter taste in our mouth, and we had a great week of practice,” Wheeling Central coach Mike Young said. “We came to play tonight and we played all four quarters. I’m just proud of the kids and proud how they responded from last week’s defeat.

“Kade is a hard runner, our line is a big line. If we can get off the ball and get them blocking, he is going to get some holes and he is going to break tackles. He has some good speed once he does break a couple tackles, which he showed tonight. He’s a hard working kid. He’s a horse.”

Williamstown’s Mason Kern (4) runs with the ball as Wheeling Central’s Joey Hall (21) defends during Friday’s game. (Photo by Nikki Allen)

Williamstown made the first statement of the game – driving 80 yards in nine plays and scoring on quarterback Breck Allen’s 1-yard dive on fourth-and-goal for a 6-0 lead.

Wheeling Central appeared to have an immediate answer on the ensuing drive, but Kusic was tackled for a 5-yard loss on fourth-and-3 from the Williamstown 15.

Following a three-and-out from the Yellowjackets, the Maroon Knights’ offense went to work. Kusic’s 26-yard touchdown completion to Max Olejasz at the 1:57 mark of the first quarter left Williamstown trailing 7-6.

Three plays into their next drive, the Yellowjackets turned the ball over on one of three fumbles for the night. Carver Bolon recovered the loose ball at the Williamstown 37.

Koroneos got the call on the final five plays of a seven-play scoring drive. The senior reached the end zone standing up from a yard out to increase the lead to 14-6 moments into the second quarter.

A three-and-out from the Yellowjackets gave Wheeling Central the ball at the Yellowjacket 45. The Maroon Knights faced just one third down situation while completing yet another scoring drive – with Koroneos carrying it in from 3 yards.

With 5:11 still remaining in the first half, The Maroon Knights increased the gap to 20-6.

Williamstown, however, kept itself in striking distance after scoring just before halftime with a meticulous drive covering 80 yards in 13 plays.

Twice, the Yellowjackets converted on fourth down. With 21 seconds on the clock, Allen found Mason Kern in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard TD strike as Williamstown pulled to within 20-13.

Allen ended the game with 53 yards on 14 carries and passed for 142 yards on 11-of-21 passing.

Whatever momentum Williamstown took into the locker room quickly shifted in the first two-plus minutes of the third quarter.

On the opening kickoff, Koroneos advanced the ball 47 yards to the Williamstown 34. Four plays later, Koroneos followed his blockers into the end zone for a 10-yard TD run.

The bad news got worse two plays into the ensuing drive when Olejasz stepped in front of Williamstown intended receiver Carson Haines and completed a pick-six from 38 yards. With 9:38 showing, Williamstown trailed 33-13.

One more Koroneos TD — this time from 48 yards away later in the third quarter combined with Eli Czapp coming off the bench for a 7-yard TD carry gave the Maroon Knights a 47-13 lead midway in the fourth quarter.

“The bus ride home will be a better ride,” Young said. “Last week was a real long one, and this one won’t be quite as long.”

Williamstown tackled on a late TD with Allen carrying from 4 yards.

Jackson Kerr led Williamstown ballcarriers with 56 yards on 13 attempts, while Jackson Fulton added 50 yards on eight carries. Haines caught passes for 62 yards.

“We have to get better because the schedule is relentless,” Beck said. “We have Roane County, the double-A state runner-up from a year ago next Friday. We just have to get better. The only answer I know is hard work. We will show up Monday and put in the work and keep trying to get a little bit better.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com