Wesleyan Stops King's Ridge 39-13

King’s Ridge Christian School was hoping to harass and sack talented Wesleyan quarterback Will Anderson on Friday night.

Instead, the Wesleyan offensive line gave Anderson great protection, and Anderson put the pressure on the King’s Ridge Tigers.

Anderson used his strong arm to pass for 356 yards, and the Wesleyan Wolves won, 39-13, at King’s Ridge field in Alpharetta.

“We were hoping to get a lot of pressure on their quarterback,” said King’s Ridge coach Jeff Pickren. “It didn’t quite work out.”

Wesleyan improved to 5-2 overall, 3-1 in Region 5-A North. Kings Ridge fell to 3-3 overall, 1-2 in the division.

“He always plays great,” said Wesleyan coach Franklin Pridgen of Anderson. “He’s a first-year starter but he plays like an upper classman.”

Anderson was 23-for-32 with four touchdown tosses and only threw one interception.

On Wesleyan’s first play from scrimmage, Kings Ridge got a taste of what was to come.

After a 40-yard punt return by David Monte, Wesleyan had the ball at the King’s Ridge 32-year-line. Anderson dropped back and just as the Tiger defenders were getting close to him, he threw a beautiful screen pass to Charles Mack. Mack took off and before they knew it, the Tigers were in a one-touchdown hole with 9:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Still, King’s Ridge played well in the first half.

On the ensuing possession, the Tigers put together a drive of their own. Starting at their 20, King’s Ridge put together four running plays and two passes to give themselves a second-and-8 at the Wesleyan 44.

On the next play, King’s Ridge quarterback Bailey Miller pitched to running back Tarez Miller, who sprinted down the left side for a touchdown, and the score was tied 7-7.

Late in the first quarter, Wesleyan put together another scoring drive, capped by Anderson's 1-yard dive with 53 seconds on the clock. The PAT kick failed and Wesleyan led 13-7.

Later, the Wolves used a slick hook-and-ladder pass play to notch a 19-7 lead. Anderson passed to Charles Mack in the flat, and Mack quickly lateraled to speedy Zander Yost, who sprinted to the end zone to complete the 26-yard play with 2:17 remaining before half.

But King’s Ridge refused to be put away and strung together its own nine-play 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a Bailey Miller-to-Devon Schmitt corner pass with 16 seconds remaining before halftime.

Wesleyan led 19-13 at the half, but the Wolves blew the game open with 20 third-quarter points on three touchdowns.

In the third stanza, Wesleyan scored touchdowns on 14-yard and 21-yard Anderson-to-Rodney Morris pass plays, and a 1-yard keeper by Anderson.