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Wahama Wins First State Title Since 2012

Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News, Non-PIAA, pfn, Playoffs

| December 13, 2024

Charleston – Wahama won their first state title since 2012 with a 29-22 victory over Cameron.

The White Falcons capped an undefeated season with a triumph against a tough Dragons squad. The win earns Wahama their first crown since a dramatic 43-42 overtime victory over Weirton Madonna over a decade ago.

“I’m so thankful to have finally come out as a state champion,” said Wahama head coach James Toth. “Cameron is a great football team. They’re physical and a tough football team. We were fortunate to come out on top as we did.”

The game was hard-fought, and the outcome wasn’t decided until the closing minutes.

Wahama scored a pair of third-quarter touchdowns to break a 14-14 halftime stalemate. Senior tailback Connor Lambert rushed for 84 of his 114 yards in the second half, scoring both touchdowns in the third stanza.

He finished his senior season with 2,331 yards and 45 touchdowns. His 114 yards and two scores earned him the MVP for Wahama.

“Well’ is everything we’ve ever wanted,” said Lambert. “We always wanted to be like the 2012 team. I wish the MVP could have gone to our whole team. They deserve it just as much. From our line to our quarterback, fullback, and receivers making blocks down the field. I’ve worked hard my entire life just for this moment.”

Lambert capped a 12-play 61-yard drive to begin the second half with a 1-yard run. Wahama extended their lead when they drove 75 yards in eight plays with Lambert’s 5-yard run and subsequent 2-point rush pushing the lead to 29-14 after three quarters. In the third quarter, Wahama held the football for 7:55.

“Luckily, we got the call to start the second half, said Toth. “We talked about having to win the line of scrimmage in the second half. I’m not sure that we did that in the first half. But I think we did so in the second half. We wanted to take it to them.”

In seeking its first state football title, Cameron pulled to within 29-22 when Mason Scott caught a 22-yard pass from Kason Angel with 2:32 to play.

“It’s a game of momentum, Toth said. “Their kids run hard and do the things necessary to be successful. I felt like once we got up on them, we had the edge.”

The White Falcons recovered the onside kick and then ran out the clock.

“I told them after the game that they’re a state champion, and nobody can take that away from them,” said Toth. “I had to wait 58 years to say that. But I’ll tell you, this is one of the best days of my life. I’m thankful to be a White Falcon today.”

Forcing a quick 3-and-out to begin the contest, Wahama started at the Dragons’ 44-yard line and took the early lead when quarterback Trace Simpkins scored on a 36-yard run just over two minutes into the game.

Like Lambert, Simpkins went over the century mark with a game-high 125 yards on 16 carries, including 74 yards in the first half. He also completed 4-of-6 passes for 39 yards.

Cameron found their footing on the ensuing drive, as Wes Starcher caught a 14-yard pass from Kason Angel following a 57-yard drive. Angel’s 2-point rush gave them an 8-7 lead after a quarter.

The Dragons then increased their lead to 14-7 on a 16-play, 85-yard drive that took over 11 minutes. Angel scored on a 1-yard run and his interception of Simpkins at the 15-yard line set up the score.

Kason Angel completed 7 of 15 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown, which earned him MVP honors for Cameron.

Klypsan Wallace ran for a team-high 100 yards on 22 carries for the Dragons.

Wahama had only one second-quarter possession but made it count as Wyatt Harris hammered home a 2-yard run on 4th-and-goal with 1:30 to play in half. The score capped a 10-play 64-yard drive.

The play was reviewed but upheld, with the contest being tied in the locker room at fourteen.

“Obviously, that was instrumental in a tight game,” Toth said. “We needed to score right there. I came over and asked him when he came off. I said, did you get in? He said yeah, but it’s close, coach.”

Game Highlights

Wahama 29 Cameron 22

Score by Quarters

Wahama – 7 7 15 0 – 29

Cameron – 8 6 0 8 – 22

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

W – Trace Simpkins 36 yd run, (Wyatt Harris pat), 9:58 – 2-44

C – Wes Starcher 14 yd pass from Kason Angel, (Angel rush), 6:44 – 6-57

Second Quarter

C – Angel 1 yd run, (pass failed), 5:18 – 16-85

W – Harris 2 yd run, (Harris pat), 1:30 – 10-64

Third Quarter

W – Connor Lambert 1 yd run, (Lambert rush), 7:06 – 12-61

W – Lambert 5 yd run, (Harris pat), 1:47 – 8-75

Fourth Quarter

C – Mason Scott 22 yd pass from Angel, (Klypsan Wallace rush), 2:32 – 9-75

Individual Stats

Rushing: C – Angel 10-64, Wallace 22-100, Slaton Pettit 6-18, Griffen Miller 1-2. Totals: 39-184. W – Simpkins 16-125, Connor Lambert 18-114, Harris 1-2, Dillan Fields 5-26. Totals: 40-267.

Receiving: C – Mason Scott 2-55, Starcher 1-14, Pettit 3-30, Soier Reed 1-15. W – Reezin Stitt 1-19, Lambert 3-20.

Passing: C – Angel 7-for-15, 114 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. W – Simpkins 4-for-6, 39 yards, 1 INT.

Interceptions: C – Angel. W – Ricky Jordan.

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