WYOMING, Ohio – The Wyoming High School football program celebrated 100 years in grand style Friday night.
The Cowboys also reinforced the pride and longstanding tradition on Bernie Barre Field at Bob Lewis Stadium.
Wyoming defeated visiting Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 33-10 in a game that started nearly an hour later than the original kickoff time due to inclement weather.
Wyoming junior quarterback Evan Prater had 25 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Prater was surprised by his rushing total, but the first-half rain changed the Cowboys' normal script.
Prater was 8 of 12 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown. He earned the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown MVP honors.
“Evan is pretty special,” Wyoming coach Aaron Hancock said. “Evan is a great kid. He takes control of the game. Not only is he an incredible talent but he is a great leader.”
Wyoming earned its 691st win all-time - the most among Cincinnati-area programs on the Ohio side. The Cowboys' 691-218-48 record gives them the second-highest winning percentage in Ohio High School Athletic Association football history.
PODCAST: Wyoming's 100 years
Wyoming has had 89 winning seasons overall and just three losing seasons in the past 62 years.
There were nearly 300 former players in attendance at Bob Lewis Stadium. They were introduced at halftime by decade (1950s to 2010s).
The current Wyoming team did not disappoint in front of its many visitors on a rainy evening. The Cowboys’ defense held CHCA to minus-14 yards rushing.
“Our defense is something special and without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do on offense,” Prater said.
Wyoming (3-0), a Division IV program, is ranked No. 1 in the TriStateFootball.com Divisions IV-VII rankings.
WATCH: Tri-State football highlights on WCPO's "Friday Football Frenzy."
The Cowboys scored on their first two possessions and led 14-0 after Prater scored on a 21-yard run to complete a 10-play drive late in the first quarter.
Wyoming looked like it would score again quickly after senior defensive lineman James Smith recorded a sack and forced a fumble on CHCA junior quarterback Cole Fisher. Senior Sam Pendery recovered the fumble for the Cowboys and they were in the Eagles’ red zone.
But Wyoming was unable to convert on fourth down early in the second quarter and CHCA took advantage on its next possession.
Five plays later, Fisher found senior Julian Herman across the middle and he went 78 yards for an Eagles' touchdown. That closed the gap to 14-7 at the 9:16 mark of the second quarter.
CHCA junior Mike Phillips made a 27-yard field goal at the 2:13 mark to make it 14-10, and the CHCA defense held firm right before halftime after Wyoming botched a field goal attempt.
But Wyoming senior Joey Edmonds took the spotlight early in the second half. The Findlay University basketball commit had an interception at the 10:08 mark of the third quarter to help set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Prater. That gave the Cowboys a 20-10 lead.
Then, Edmonds scored on a 51-yard reception to help give the Cowboys a 27-10 lead with 3:44 left in the third. That was his fifth touchdown reception of the season.
SEE High school football scores on WCPO Scoreboard.
Prater added a 5-yard touchdown with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter to give the Cowboys a 33-10 lead.
Unbeaten Wyoming next plays at Taylor (1-2) Sept. 14 in the Cincinnati Hills League opener for both teams.
CHCA (1-1), a Division V program, is ranked No. 7 in the TSF rankings. CHCA plays host to Holy Cross Sept. 14.
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