The West McDowell Spartans earned pigskin bragging rights for 2009 as they shut out the county rival East McDowell Trojans 16-0 Wednesday night at Titans Stadium.
With the win, the Spartans improved to 3-2 on the season. West is now 2-2 in Foothills Conference play.
Malique O'Neil had one of his best individual performances of the season to lead the Spartans. O'Neil finished with 130 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Josh Dula and Legend Pressley combined for 50 yards rushing from the fullback position.
Pressley capped off a late, first-quarter drive with a 1-yard run to give West McDowell an 8-0 lead. That would be the only score of the first half.
The Spartans continued to exhibit a ball-control style of play during the second half. O'Neil scored on a 3-yard run late in the third quarter to increase the Spartans' lead to 16 points.
Meanwhile, East was limited offensively, running only four plays from scrimmage during the entire second half.
One of those plays was at the start of the fourth quarter on a 41-yard reverse by Tristan English (11 carries, 76 yards). Unfortunately for East, English fumbled the ball as he was going to the ground.
Dula recovered the ball for the Spartans at the West 10-yard line. That was East's last opportunity as West held the ball until time expired.
Advertisement