WHEELING — Jake Lilly ran for two touchdowns, Marcus Patterson had two interceptions and Bluefield’s defense stood out in the second half as the Beavers beat Wayne 27-7 to win their third Class AA championship in the last six years.
Bluefield (12-2) earned its 10th state title despite being outgained 272-94.
Wayne (13-1) was denied a perfect season and its second state title in four years.
Wayne marched deep inside Bluefield territory on six straight possessions, including five straight in the second half, but turned the ball over each time and never found the end zone after halftime.
Two of those drives ended on downs and two others ended in interceptions. On Wayne’s first possession after halftime, Patterson intercepted Adam Frazier and returned it 98 yards for a TD to put the Beavers up 20-7.
Bluefield also forced two second-half fumbles — Brad Fox returned the last one 96 yards for a TD with under two minutes remaining to seal the victory.
Wayne ran more than twice as many plays as the Beavers but was held to its lowest point total of the season.
Lilly’s two first-half TDs put the Beavers ahead for good, 14-7. Lilly finished the game with 48 yards rushing and had 15 tackles on defense, both team highs.
Patterson earned Bluefield’s most valuable player award and was a hero once again. A week ago he returned a punt 55 yards for a TD in a 13-10 semifinal win over Magnolia.
The two teams last met in the championship game in 2004 with Bluefield prevailing 69-24. This time, defense and special team played a much bigger role.
Bluefield got on the board midway through the first quarter after a 19-yard punt set up the Beavers on the Wayne 31-yard line. Four plays later, Lilly ran 15 yards untouched into the end zone.
Wayne quickly answered after Justin Ruggles blocked a Bluefield punt at the 3 and Corey Damron scored a play later.
Austin Mills fumbled a punt deep in Wayne territory to set up Lilly’s next TD, which would be the last time either team scored offensively.
Both teams got all of their yardage on the ground. Damron led all players with 105 yards rushing and Clyde Ferrell added 102 for Wayne.
Bluefield’s Levi Beckett was 0-for-1 passing and Frazier completed one pass for negative yardage.
Prep Sports
Bluefield beats Wayne for Class AA title, 27-7
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