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Vikings improve to 2-0

FRANKLIN — Petersburg’s offensive line paved the way for a total of 296 yards rushing by the Vikings Friday as they defeated Pendleton County 42-21 in a Class AA versus Class A Potomac Valley Conference match-up.

The PCHS Wildcats are no slouches, having made the Class A playoffs three years in a row now. Petersburg has been on the AA playoff bubble the past two seasons and but not made it in. With a 2-0 record in hand, they will continue their drive toward an AA postseason berth this week at Grafton (1-1).

“I think that the offensive line played great,” Petersburg coach Kevin Board said. “The offensive line and the entire defense, I think those are the two best things we have going for us right now. We had 296 yards rushing, so it all starts up there with those guys. Jacob wasn’t sacked all game either, so I thought they played phenomenal.”

Second-year starting PHS quarterback Jacob Hartman, a junior, now has 9 touchdowns total on the season. He racked up 3 scores on the ground against Berkeley Springs in week 1, and was responsible for 6 more during Friday’s contest in Franklin.

Hartman collected 4 touchdowns and 207 yards rushing on 19 carries. He was 8 for 12 through the air to total 83 passing yards and 2 touchdown passes, both to fellow 11th-grader Peyton Sindledecker.

Hartman opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 6-yard run, and then added a 2-point conversion QB sneak for an 8-0 lead.

Pendleton scored on their opening drive on a 5-yard run by Kole Puffenberger, making the score 8-7. Puffenberger then found fellow junior Timothy Thorne for a 25-yard throw and catch, putting Pendleton out in front, 13-8. Senior McKeyin Kile blocked the ensuing PAT for the Vikings.

Petersburg re-took the lead for good in the second period when Hartman ran 4 yards to pay dirt, and then found Sindledecker for a 2-point conversion reception to go ahead 16-13 at the half.

The third quarter saw one more touchdown throw from Hartman to Sindledecker, and after a failed conversion attempt, it was 22-13 heading into the fourth and final stanza. Petersburg went up 29-13 after Hartman broke lose for a 41-yard gallop past the pylons. Junior placekicker Dylan Alt tacked on the point after.

Puffenberger and Pendleton responded with a 17-yard TD pass to Draven Roberts. The Wildcats followed up with a successful 2-point conversion catch by Joshua Wagoner to cut the deficit to 29-21.

Hartman scored on the ground from 4 yards out, and Alt cleared the uprights’ test once more. The Vikings capped the game’s scoring with a 25-yard TD pass to Sindledecker.

“Our defense held them to 53 yards in the second half. We are really happy with the way they are stepping it up,” Board said. “They’re kind of playing lights out right now, so I hope to see that continue.”

Petersburg’s opponent at Grafton this week is 1-1. The young Bearcats squad fell 27-7 to Philip Barbour in week 1, and found a way to get a 10-9 win over East Fairmont in Week 2.

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