Philipsburg-Osceola lays down ‘the Law’ on Central

PHILIPSBURG -- There might not have been much talk within the Laurel Highlands Conference and District 6 about Philipsburg-Osceola sophomore Demarcus Law entering the 2025 season.

But if P-O's season opening 48-24 win over Central on a warm Friday night at Mountaineer Stadium is any indication, there will be a buzz about the speedy Law from now on.

"The Law," P-O coach Jeff Vroman said smiling. "That's what he is, man -- the law. I saw it in the spring, and we saw it tonight. He's fast."

On the first and third time the 5-11, 170-pound running back touched the ball, he scored touchdowns. Law caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Archer Baughman on the second play of the game. He added a 57-yard TD run on P-O's fourth play of the game.

Law amassed 144 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 93 yards. He would have gotten more yards and carries, but, like many players on both sides, leg cramps in the second half prevented that from happening.

"He did a nice job, and we expect that from him in both facets -- in the receiving game and also the run game," Vroman said. "Even lead blocking tonight, he did a nice job. I'm very proud of Demarcus."

Play of the game: On the second play of the game, Law turned a short pass from Baughman into a 63-yard touchdown pass.

Unsung heroes: P-O running back Colton Chapman carried the ball 19 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns behind an offensive line opening pretty good holes.  

Most vital statistic: The Mounties amassed 339 yards rushing on 42 attempts and didn't throw the ball in the second half.  

Central coach Jerry Albright on P-O:  "They're a very solid team. They have experience coming back. They have great speed. They have great linemen up front. They're going to be tough to reckon with in the district."

Rare win: It was P-O's first win over Central since 2011.

"It's a process," Vroman said, "but I'm super proud of these kids. This is a resilient bunch. In the first game, you always have some mistakes, but for the most part, our kids fought all night-long. They didn't let that momentum shift, which was starting to happen in the second half."

QB success: Central sophomore quarterback Jesse Muthler completed 16 of 29 for 256 yards.

"I thought he made some great passes," Albright said. "There's a couple he may want back, but he'll be good."

Second half shocker: Central's Brooks Decker returned the opening kickoff 73 yards for a touchdown. Central's Semaj Musei then recovered the onside kick at the 50, but the P-O defense stiffened and Aaron Davis broke up a fourth down pass.

"If we score who knows what happens," Albright said, "but P-O made a stand there. We never got momentum after that."

Records: Central (0-1), Philipsburg-Osceola (1-0)

Next week: Central hosts Johnstown. Philipsburg-Osceola visits Chestnut Ridge.  

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central 6 12 6 0 -- 24

Philipsburg-Osceola 14 14 7 13 -- 48

First Quarter

PO--Law 63 pass from Baughman (Phillips kick), 11:07

C--Schenk 16 run (kick failed), 4:31

PO--Law 57 run (Phillips kick), 3:28

Second Quarter

PO--Chapman 4 run (Phillips kick), 11:56

C--Schenk 66 pass from Muthler (pass failed), 10:01

PO--Chapman 1 run (Phillips kick), 1:52

C--Schenk 1 run (pass failed), :17.6

Third Quarter

C--Decker 73 kickoff return (pass failed), 11:47

PO--Baughman 1 run (Phillips kick), 7:24

Fourth Quarter

PO--Chapman 3 run (kick failed), 5:18

PO--Jones 13 run (Phillips kick), 2:21

TEAM STATISTICS C PO

First downs 12 18

Total yards 359 454

Rushes-yards 25-103 42-339

Yards passing 256 115

Passing (comp.-att.-int) 16-30-1 4-4-0

Punts-avg. 1-35 1-29

Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 6-38 5-25

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Central, Schenk 9-43. Decker 1-38, Musei 9-18, Harbaugh 2-12, Muthler 1-3, Mickel 2-(-3), Loucks 1-(-8). Philipsburg-Osceola, Law 10-144, Chapman 19-94, Jones 6-50, McClenahan 5-39, Baughman 2-12.

PASSING--Central, Muthler 16-29-0-256, Oakes 0-1-0-0. Philipsburg-Osceola, Baughman 4-4-0-115.

RECEIVING--Central, Dickson 5-74, Schenk 2-66, Oakes 1-32, Harbaugh 2-26, Moushlian 2-14, Loucks 3-23, Musei 1-3. Philipsburg-Osceola, Law 2-93, Chapman 1-15, Guenot 1-7.