MILLERSBURG — West Holmes emerged from a scoreless first quarter and steadily pulled away from Mansfield Senior on Friday night in the Ohio Cardinal Conference football opener for both schools.
Quarterback Morgan Smith threw for three touchdown passes and ran for two more TDs to spearhead the Knights’ offense.
West Holmes opened the scoring on Smith’s 1-yard touchdown run in the second period. He then connected with Brody Bowman on a 29-yard TD strike for a 13-0 lead with just 21 seconds showing in the half.
Smith struck again in the third quarter by connecting with Brock Gallion on a 31-yard scoring pass to stretch the margin to 19-0 after three quarters. The QB’s 1-yard plunge early in the fourth made it 26-0.
The Tygers got on the board when Sean Sey Tanner tossed a 21-yard TD pass to Carter Kessler with 4:28 remaining.
The Knights finished it when Smith and Gallion hooked up again on a 35-yard touchdown pass.
West Holmes outgained the Tygers (306-175) in total yards, including a 155-29 edge in rushing yards.
Guy Trader topped the Senior High offense with an eye-popping 13 receptions for 114 yards.
Mansfield Senior falls to 0-4 overall, 0-1 in the conference. The Tygers travel to New Philadelphia next week.
West Holmes improves to 2-2, 1-0, and will host Madison on Friday night.