Weir High Quarterback Fights Hard, but North Marion’s Defense Proves Dominant
LOOKING FOR ROOM — Weir High quarterback Malachi Stromile looks for room to run on a scramble during Saturday night’s Class AA semifinal at North Marion. – Andrew Grimm
North Marion’s Defense Steals the Show
FARMINGTON — Weir High put up a strong fight against North Marion’s high-powered offense, but the top-seeded Huskies defense ultimately stepped up and made the difference. After gaining 176 yards in the first half and taking two one-point leads, the Red Riders were unable to keep up as North Marion scored the last 35 points, resulting in a 48-14 victory for the Huskies in the Class AA semifinals at Roy Michael Field.
Disappointing Ending for Weir High
The defeat concludes Weir’s 100th season of football with an 11-2 record. Despite the loss, Weir High head coach Frank Sisinni expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments. “It’s not the ending we wanted, everyone wants to end it walking off Wheeling Island with the trophy, but only one team gets to do that,” Sisinni said. “Being one of the last four teams playing is something to be proud of. A lot of people around the state didn’t even have us in the playoff conversation before the season. We did some great things this year. I told the kids to keep their heads high. A lot of credit to North Marion, they’ve got a nice program.”
A Hard-Fought Battle
Throughout the game, the Red Riders matched the Huskies, holding leads of 7-6 and 14-13. However, North Marion’s strong offense proved to be resilient, leading them to score multiple unanswered touchdowns. Weir’s attempted comeback fell short, and the Huskies secured their spot in the final, where they will face Fairmont Senior.
Weir’s Missed Opportunities
Weir High had some promising moments, including a drive deep into Husky territory, but a crucial interception by North Marion’s Landon Frey halted their momentum. From that point, North Marion took control of the game and never looked back.
Seniors Leave a Lasting Legacy
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Weir High’s seniors were celebrated for their contributions to the program. Head coach Frank Sisinni praised their leadership and their role in bringing success and pride back to Weir High football. “There’s 100 years of football history, pride, and tradition, and they helped instill that into this program in their time here,” Sisinni said. “They leave a legacy of winning and making deep playoff runs, and that’s the standard of Weir High football.”
Looking Ahead
Though the season may have ended on a sour note for Weir High, the team remains optimistic for the future. Coach Sisinni acknowledged the impact of the seniors and expressed confidence in the upcoming classes to continue the tradition of success. The Red Riders will use this experience as motivation to strive for even greater achievements in the seasons to come.