High School Football Showdown: Nicholas County vs. Wheeling Central Catholic

As the high school football season heads into its final stretch, two teams with contrasting performances are set to face off: Nicholas County and Wheeling Central Catholic. The teams’ season records, stats, and leadership on the field paint an intriguing picture of what could be a thrilling matchup. Here’s a closer look at how these two teams compare based on their performances during the 2024-2025 season.

Season Overview

Nicholas County enters the game with an overall record of 6-4, having secured a solid position in their league with a 2-4 regional record. Their season has had its ups and downs, but the team has shown resilience, especially at home where they boast a 4-1 record. Despite a strong start to the season, Nicholas County has struggled to find consistency on the road, with a 2-3 record away from home.

On the other hand, Wheeling Central Catholic has had an impressive season, finishing with an 8-2 record. They have dominated in the region, posting a perfect 2-0 record in their regional matchups and an undefeated 4-0 record when playing at home. Their away games haven’t been as perfect, with a 4-2 record, but overall, their performance this season has been strong, making them a top contender in their league.

Offensive and Defensive Stats

When comparing both teams’ offensive and defensive stats, Wheeling Central Catholic stands out in nearly every category. They have been more explosive on offense, averaging 37.5 points per game, compared to Nicholas County’s 25.2 points per game. This difference can be attributed to Wheeling Central’s impressive ability to score across all quarters, especially in the first quarter where they average 13 points per game. In contrast, Nicholas County struggles to get things going early, averaging just 3.9 points in the first quarter.

In terms of total yards per game, Wheeling Central Catholic also holds a significant advantage, averaging 382.7 yards compared to Nicholas County’s 300.1 yards. They excel particularly in rushing yards, where Wheeling Central averages 254.7 yards per game, compared to Nicholas County’s 192.6 yards. Passing stats are closer, with Nicholas County averaging 107.5 passing yards per game, just behind Wheeling Central’s 128.0 passing yards per game.

Defensively, Nicholas County has been solid with 69.9 tackles per game, though Wheeling Central is slightly more effective at 59.0 tackles per game. Both teams have comparable sack rates, with Nicholas County at 1.4 sacks per game and Wheeling Central at 1.6 sacks per game.

Key Players

Both teams rely heavily on their star players to carry them through tough matchups.

For Nicholas County, Devin Nash has been the standout performer. He leads the team with 112.2 rushing yards per game, 95.6 passing yards per game, and 137 total yards per game. Nash also excels on defense with 16.9 tackles per game. His all-around performance will be critical in any matchup, especially against a tough opponent like Wheeling Central Catholic.

Wheeling Central Catholic, however, has its own set of stars, including Nico Kusic, who is a versatile weapon for the team, averaging 143.6 total yards per game. Isaac Martin has been a force on offense as well, leading the team with 94.3 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Wyatt Brady has been a key contributor with 9.5 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, with mixed results. Nicholas County has a 1-1 record against common opponents, beating Midland Trail 17-6 and losing to Shady Spring 27-21. Meanwhile, Wheeling Central Catholic boasts a perfect 2-0 record against the same teams, defeating Midland Trail 43-6 and Shady Spring 48-7.

This gives Wheeling Central a psychological advantage heading into this matchup, as they’ve been dominant over teams that have also challenged Nicholas County. However, Nicholas County’s ability to compete in tight games — especially on their home turf — could give them an edge, particularly if they can stifle Wheeling Central’s high-powered offense early.

Conclusion

As both teams look to close out their seasons with a strong performance, the clash between Nicholas County and Wheeling Central Catholic will likely come down to execution on both sides of the ball. Wheeling Central Catholic’s offensive explosiveness and regional dominance make them the favorite, but Nicholas County’s resilience and solid defense mean they cannot be counted out. With both teams boasting strong leaders and distinct playing styles, fans can expect a closely contested and exciting game.