FAIRMONT -- East Fairmont used a dominant first half on both sides of the ball to take a 35-6 victory over Lewis County in high school football action Thursday night at East-West Stadium.
The Bees (3-4) scored on their first three possessions of the game to build a 20-0 lead, and the defense held the Minutemen (1-6) to just one first down and 41 yards of total offense in the first half.
"We played very good football and we didn't have the mistakes that have plagued us over the last couple of weeks," East Fairmont coach Bill Haddox said.
East Fairmont took the opening possession of the game and drove 84 yards in nine plays. The biggest play of the scoring drive was the touchdown pass quarterback Billy Ray threw to Josh Wray for a 47-yard scoring strike to put the Bees in front 7-0 with 7:51 remaining on the clock.
After the Bees defense forced a three-and-out, East Fairmont drove 96 yards in eight plays to take a 14-0 lead.
Again, Ray took advantage of Wray's 6-foot-4 frame and lofted a pass over the Lewis County defender for a 28-yard reception to the Minutemen 3.
One play later, Ray sneaked into the end zone from 2 yards out.
"We had a couple of plays there where we knew we had the size advantage and the kids executed it very well," Haddox said. "We just did everything correctly offensively and that's what you are looking for is that type of play from your offense."
After another three-and-out, the Bees drove 73 yards in 12 plays to take a 20-0 lead when Jay Puccio bolted into the end zone from three yards with 5:49 left in the first half.
When the dust had settled in the first half, the Bees had 13 first downs and 261 yards of total offense to put the Minutemen in a deep hole.
Alden Butcher, who led Lewis County in rushing with 36 yards on 10 carries, provided the only points of the evening for the Minutemen in the third quarter with a two-yard run.
Puccio led all rushers in the contest for East Fairmont with 78 yards on 12 attempts, while Justin Hamrick added 66 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown.
Ray had a solid passing game by completing seven of 12 passes for 133 yards with one touchdown. Wray led all receivers with two receptions for 75 yards and a score.
