Triad’s junior high gridders defeated West Liberty-Salem, 38-22, on Thursday.
The Cardinals scored on the second play of the game with a 68-yard pass from Wyatt Cole to Ayden Sanford.
Hayden Simpson ran in the two-point conversion and the Cards went on top, 8-0.
After forcing a West Liberty punt, the Jr. Cardinals put together a 55-yard scoring drive, culminating with Michael Warner’s one-yard run for the touchdown.
When Sanford swept in on the extra point, the Cards had a comfortable 16-0 lead with 5:01 still to play in the first quarter.
WLS refused to quit, however, scoring on three consecutive touchdowns on a 62-yard run, a 45-yard interception return and a 54-yard pass.
The Tigers took a 22-16 lead at halftime.
The young Cardinals fought back hard in the second half and completely dominated the action.
Trevor Stewart ran for three touchdowns, including a 98-yard run, and Cole’s timely passing was enough to balance the offense, including a two- point conversion pass to Tyson Brown to give the Cards the lead back 24-22 early in the third quarter.
For the game, Stewart ran for 213 yards on 15 carries.
Cole was five-for-eight through the air for 133 yards and a TD.
Sanford had four catches for 128 yards.
Chase Hecker led Triad on defense with six unassisted tackles.
With the win, the Cards jumped to 4-1 on the season.
They will travel to Mechanicsburg next week.
Bunsold wins
Marysville’s middle school football teams defeated Hilliard Weaver earlier this week.
The seventh-grade won, 36-0, while the eighth-grade rolled to a 26-6 victory.