WHEELING — On again, Off again, on again, off again — that’s exactly how it has felt for the Wheeling Central football team this past week.

When the West Virginia COVID color-coded map came out Saturday, both Ohio County and Logan County (home of this week’s opponent Man High School), were classified as gold counties, meaning gold counties can play against other gold counties. With that, the game was believed to be played as scheduled at Bishop Schmitt Field on the campus of Wheeling University. Later Saturday night, the game was believed to be canceled.

Then, as of Tuesday morning, the game was back on and the location had been switched for Man to host. Soon after, on Tuesday evening as the Central coaching staff prepared for the Hillbillies, the game was called off, leaving the Knights without a contest.

“We’re trying to have some consistency in our program and trying to prepare so our kids can perform but to have a game and then not have a game can lead to confusion,” Central coach Mike Young said. “Kids are probably less stressed about it than the coaches because they are more resilient to changes.

“We just found out we were able to play and then we found out we can’t at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night while working on a gameplan. Hopefully, we can play them next year or possibly in the playoffs.

“Our next opponent is Fort Frye. They have an unbelievable program so it’s next man up, next team up.”

The Knights are coming off an impressive showing in a 35-17 victory over Shadyside, in their first win of the season after opening with a daunting schedule.

The win gave Central a boost in momentum but the roller-coaster week has been anything but routine.

“Last week was an all-out team effort,” Young said. “Offensively, defensively and special teams. The kids contributed and were anxious to play and try to get another ‘W’. Now, we are idle.

“The fact that we can overcome adversity has been the key to our success. We have a veteran staff who makes adjustments to what’s in front of us. We have to be concerned in what we are doing moving forward. Right now, that is the next day of practice and getting ready for Fort Frye.”