Wilson Central fell to 0-7 after Lebanon running back Gyan Ezeta ran for 241 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-0 shutout Friday, Oct. 2, in Gladeville.
The Wildcats have now been shut out in three consecutive games, scoring zero points across their last three weeks.
Ezeta, the former Region 4-6A Offensive Player of the Year, scored on runs of 2, 10 and 35 yards before breaking loose for a touchdown of approximately 85 yards, according to Main Street Media. The junior, listed at 5-foot-6 and 190 pounds, accounted for the bulk of Lebanon's offense as the Blue Devils improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in Region 4-6A.
The win kept Lebanon atop Region 4-6A as the only team without a region loss. Head coach Chuck Gentry passed Mark Medley to become Lebanon's all-time wins leader, according to the Lebanon Democrat. Gentry entered the game tied with Medley at 64 career victories.
First-year head coach Josh Knipfel's Wildcats have scored just 31 points in seven games. Knipfel spent three years on the Wilson Central staff as offensive line coach, defensive ends coach and head strength and conditioning coach before taking over the program.
The season has been a grind. Wilson Central fell 20-11 to Cane Ridge in the Aug. 21 opener, then lost 6-3 in overtime to Northwest in Week 2. A 27-3 loss to Coffee County followed.
The 28-14 defeat to James Lawson on Sept. 11 was the last time Wilson Central reached the end zone. Cookeville blanked the Wildcats 43-0 in Week 5, John Overton won 9-0 on Senior Night in Week 6, and Lebanon completed the three-game shutout streak.
After the Overton loss on Sept. 25, Knipfel told the Lebanon Democrat: "Offensively all season, that's on me. I'm not doing a good enough job and at the end of the day, we've got to perform better and I've got to be a better football coach."
In that Week 6 game, Wilson Central managed just 40 total yards and completed one pass.
The Wildcats remain in Region 4-6A play with games against Green Hill, Mt. Juliet and Gallatin still ahead. Wilson Central hosts Green Hill on Friday, Oct. 23.
