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By Nick Brockman
for the Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON — Like Ramon Edwards, Woodrow Wilson seized success with the first opportunity, starting strong with a Week 1 win to open the 2011 season.
Edwards, a junior, ran the game’s opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown, then did it again in the second half for an 89-yard score as the Flying Eagles opened the schedule with a 43-16 win against Princeton. Last season, Woodrow failed to secure a victory until Week 5.
To begin the season with a touchdown and eventually a win pleased coach John H. Lilly,
“Since we got off to a slow start last year, it was very important for us to get off to a fast start this year,” he said. “We got a lot of things we have to clean up, but we’re excited with the win.”
Edwards didn’t find much success rushing the ball in the backfield, but on special teams, it was a different story.
“He put on a show,” Lilly said of Edwards’ game. “He’s capable of doing big things, and hopefully, if we can keep him healthy, he can continue to do that.”
Edwards’ first score set the tone early for success, though the Woodrow offense didn’t follow as quickly at first. The Flying Eagles manufactured just 60 yards offensively in the first half.
“First game jitters, a little bit of that,” Lilly said diagnosing the offensive struggles.
Still, Woodrow secured the points it needed to take control 21-3 at halftime.
Quarterback Andrew Johnson turned a short field into a 1-yard touchdown rush with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter.
Less than a minute later, Woodrow’s Anthony Hosea fell on a fumbled Princeton snap in the end zone that trickled 37 yards behind the line of scrimmage for another touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Tigers’ offense managed just three points on a 22-yard Brandon Barrett field goal in the first quarter.
Princeton appeared poised to climb back in the game with a touchdown on its first drive of the second half. Tiger running back Tahj Sho-Johnson provided the touchdown on a 19-yard rush.
The score allowed Edwards an opportunity to showcase his skills once again, though.
Edwards scored with the ensuing kickoff, hitting the crease and finding nothing but open field.
“It just turns into a track meet,” Edwards said. “I just run.”
Later in the third quarter, Woodrow’s Nikko Wesley turned in another big play, a 61-yard touchdown rush. A failed kick turned into a successful two-point conversion, and the Flying Eagles led 36-10.
Princeton and Woodrow traded scores in the fourth quarter with Tiger Tre Hopkins scoring on a 2-yard touchdown rush. Johnson and wide receiver Cameron Shannon struck for a 37-yard touchdown reception with 3:37 remaining in the game.
While the offense didn’t muster much production, the Flying Eagles secured the win in their first try, and that’s good enough for Edwards.
“To open the season like that, it felt real good,” he said.
Woodrow next plays Greenbrier East at home at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while Princeton visits Bluefield at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Woodrow Wilson 43, Princeton 16
WW (1-0) 7 14 15 7 — 43
P (0-1) 3 0 7 6 — 16
First Quarter
WW — Ramon Edwards 82 kickoff return (Andrew Johnson kick), 11:49
P — Brandon Barrett FG 22, 2:22
Second Quarter
WW — Johnson 1 rush (Johnson kick), 1:03
WW — Anthony Hosea recovered fumble in end zone (Johnson kick), :21
Third Quarter
P — Tahj Sho-Johnson 19 rush (Barrett kick), 10:07
WW — Edwards 89 kickoff return (Johnson kick), 9:55
WW — Nikko Wesley 61 rush (Dominic Copney pass from Johnson), :24
Fourth Quarter
P — Tre Hopkins 2 rush (Mcpherson run failed), 9:56
WW — Cameron Shannon 37 pass from Johnson, 3:37
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — WW: Nikko Wesley 1-61-1, Shaquille Hannah 7-28, Andrew Johnson
8-21-1, Chase Hancock 2-11, Jon Flynn 1-3, Ramon Edwards 8-2. P: Tre
Hopkins 11-95, Tahj Sho-Johnson 10-54, Johnny Midkiff 2-17, Corey Quick
5-10, Brett Carroll 1-3, Storm McPherson 5-(-11).
PASSING — WW: Johnson 4-6, 0-54-1. P: McPherson 9-20, 0-81-0, Quick 0-1.
RECEIVING — WW: Cameron Shannon 2-45-1, Hannah 1-6, Jacob Meadows 1-3.
P: David Brewster 2-45, Zachary Elder 2-14, Midkiff 2-12, Hopkins 1-11,
Quick 1-6, Corey Mann 1-3, Sho-Johnson 1-1, Lamont Lee 1-1.
TURNOVERS — WW: Hosea (FR), Jacob Van Meter (FR).