WHEELING — Controlling the tempo of the game is imperative to success. When it came to the second half, that’s what Ohio Coach Andrew Connor thought his team did during the 74th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Game Saturday night at Wheeling Island Stadium.

The Buckeyes put together some key plays on both sides of the ball as it got past West Virginia 21-17 to secure a victory.

“I give both teams credit,” Ohio coach Andrew Connor said. “Both teams played hard out here and gave everything they had. I thought my team throughout the week practiced hard and I think we were ready to play 48 minutes. I thought the second half of the game we really kind of tilted it towards us whether it was our defense or our offense. I thought we controlled the game towards the end of the third quarter.”

St. Clairsville’s Brady Kolb was named the game’s MVP after a 102-yard, one touchdown effort on 24 carries.

His 28-yard scamper to the end zone with 1:42 left in the first half tied the game at 14-14 where it remained as both teams went into the locker room for halftime.

“This is MVP award really goes to the line,” Kolb said. “I thought they really stepped up. We started off a little slow, but we got them up and the line led the way and paved the way. It just really means a lot to me.”

Down 17-14, midway through the fourth quarter, Connor put the ball in Kolb’s hands as Ohio drove down the field and got on the West Virginia 1 thanks to a handful of direct snaps to Kolb with him answering the bell. He ran the ball 10 times during the drive.

However, right when one thought the tide was turning in Ohio’s favor, Kolb fumbled the snap and Nick Defelice recovered the ball for West Virginia.

“We were pushing it and it’s tough to always see a turnover happen in a really important time, but I kept my head up and my team kept their heads up,” Kolb said. “They got me up, I got them up and we kept going.”

Even with its back against the wall, Ohio stepped up in a big way. Cal Kildow took advantage of a pass as a West Virginia player slipped down as he picked off Wyatt Hirt three plays later that put Ohio in business.

On the next Ohio offensive snap, Davis Black connected with Kolb’s high school teammate Craig Bober for 28 yards to put the score at 21-17 with 6:06 remaining in the game.

“The two picks we had in the second half were just phenomenal catches,” Connor said. “It really helped our offense and we tilted the field and it really helped out.”

Ohio put the first points on the board as they drove down the field with an impressive opening drive as Connor Banco crossed the goal line from 3 yards out to put the score at 7-0.

West Virginia, though, was able to hold Ohio in check for the majority of the first half after that.

De’Vaughn McWhorter was the equalizer for West Virginia as he took his first handoff and went 76 yards to the house to put the score at 7-7.

McWhorter wasn’t done there, with his second rushing attempt, he maneuvered through the Ohio defense and gave the Mountaineers a 14-7 lead with 7:51 left until halftime.

The former Wheeling Park standout accounted for 102 yards on four carries and caught three passes for 24.

“That was a great high school football game,” West Virginia coach Mike Eddy said, “These kids committed an entire week of their life to be apart of this. The OVAC did a great job of making it feel special for them. They did exactly what you ask kids to do. They go out and gave great effort from start to finish. That’s what allows you to have great football games is by players giving great efforts and they did that.”

West Virginia looked to get things going on their second possession of the second half. With the help of a 54-yard connection from Hirt to Jack Stakem, the Mountaineers managed to get to the Ohio 4.

However, the Ohio defense stood firm and held West Virginia to a 21-yard field goal by Jonah Phares.

“That’s how this game goes,” Eddy said. “That’s one of the things that makes it exciting and interesting. That’s why young players have to learn to be resilient. When those moments happen, they’re still in the game and they’re still in the moment and they’re not overcome with emotion. We talk to players all the time about be passionate about what you’re doing and don’t be emotional about what you’re doing. Unfortunately at the end, that’s when you see emotion instead of passion. It’s a fine line sometimes, but I couldn’t be prouder of these young men and what they did this week.”

Hirt finished the game with 155 yards passing while Stakem led the receiving core with 90 yards on four catches.

For Ohio, Brennon Norris went 9 of 13 for 119 yards while Black had 57 passing yards and a TD. Bober hauled in six receptions for 84 yards to lead the Ohio receiving core.

“It’s just an honor. It was an honor to coach these guys,” Connor said. “I thought my coaching staff did a great job all week and I thought the kids did whatever they could all week long. These are 31 very special young men and they’re parents should be proud of them.”

NOTE: There was a small scuffle near the end of the game after a roughing the punter penalty was called on West Virginia. The penalty resulted in an automatic first down for Ohio where it kneeled to wind down the clock.