Stingy defense, big play by Olson leads West Central Area-Ashby to win over proud Barnesville program

The West Central Area-Ashby football team was locked up in a close game from start to finish in its season opener last Friday, and the Knights came out on the right side of things in a 14-12 win over Barnesville.

“I think the biggest key was kind of intangible,” head coach Nate Wood said. “The kids believed we would win and kept believing the whole game.”

It took a late touchdown to get it done after both defenses shined much of the night. Explosive plays were at a premium on the night, but quarterback Evan Paulson and senior Torin Olson connected for one on a 46-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game winner.

Barnesville, which went 7-0 in 2020 and is a Midwest (White) District opponent with WCA, led 14-12 at the half. Anthony Sykora had the Knights’ first-half touchdown as he ran in a score from 29 yards out.

The Knights gained 214 yards of total offense and held Barnesville to 153. Olson led the way with 118 yards receiving on four catches as Paulson completed 6-of-14 passes for 143 yards, the touchdown to Olson and no interceptions.

West Central Area will go to Staples-Motley for the second game of the season on Sept. 10 with a 7 p.m. kickoff. It’s the first matchup of the season against a fellow Section 6AA opponent.

BARNESVILLE 6 6 0 0 - 12

WCA-ASHBY 6 0 0 8 - 14

TEAM STATS - Barnesville - Total offense - 35-153; Rushing - 32-153; Penalties - 4-25; Turnovers - 3; Time of possession - 27:28; WCA-ASHBY - Total offense - 38-214; Penalties - 4-20; Turnovers - 1; Time of possession - 20:32

WCA OFFENSE - Passing - Evan Paulson - 6-14, 143 yards, TD; Brady Lindquist - 0-1, INT; Receiving - Torin Olson - 4-118, TD; Hunter Norby - 1-17; Anthony Sykora - 1-8; Rushing - Anthony Sykora - 7-34, TD; Evan Paulson - 4-27; Mattson Hoff - 5-17; Tyler Stone - 1-0; Hunter Norby - 6-(-7)

WCA-ASHBY DEFENSE - Carson Spangler - 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL; Mattson Hoff - 5 tackles, 1 TFL; Tyler Stone - 4 tackles, 2 TFL; Beau Robinson - 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL; Torin Olson - 2 tackles, 1 TFL; Sam Heeter - 2 tackles; Isaac Kreft - 2 tackles; Brady Lindquist - 1 tackle; Anthony Sykora - 1 tackle; Nas Dotts - 1 tackle; Hunter Norby - 1 tackle; Colton Lindquist - 1 tackle

1/2: Mattson Hoff wraps up a Barnesville ball carrier early in the season opener Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 in Barrett. (Brooke Kern / Grant County Herald)

2/2: Mattson Hoff, Kadin Huntley and Beau Robinson combine on a tackle during the first half of season opener action against Barnesville Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 in Barrett. (Brooke Kern / Grant County Herald)