PARSONS – The Tucker Valley Middle School Football team hosted Tygarts Valley in the last game of the season at home last Wednesday October 18th. Tucker Valley picked up the win in the contest by the final score of 20-16.
The visiting Bulldogs received the opening kick to start the game. Tygarts Valley then capped off their opening drive with a 2 yard touchdown run. The 2 point conversion was good to make the score 8-0 Bulldogs with 2:57 left in the first quarter. Tucker Valley then threw an interception on their opening possession. The Wildcats defense would then step up and Tucker Valley’s JJ Copenhaver pulled in an interception to give Tucker Valley the ball back at the Tygarts Valley 39. The first quarter ended with the score 8-0 Tygarts Valley.
Tucker Valley put together a drive that burned up some clock in the second quarter. The Wildcats would find the end zone with 1:49 left in the second quarter on a Lance Brickles touchdown run. The 2 point conversion attempt failed to make the score 8-6 Tygarts Valley. The clock would run out in the second quarter to keep the score at 8-6 Bulldogs at the half.
In the third quarter Tucker Valley put together a drive that took the ball down to the Tygarts Valley 3 yard line, but the drive stalled there after a failed fourth down play. The Bulldogs offense then went to work as they capped off the drive on a 1 yard touchdown run with 52 seconds left in the third quarter. The PAT was good to push the visitors lead to 16-6 at the end of the third.
Tucker Valley would strike back early in the fourth on a Lance Brickles 34 yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the fourth. The 2 point conversion was good with a Trenton Wilfong pass to Wesley Strawderman to make the score 16-14 Tygarts Valley. The home standing Wildcats defense then forced Tygarts Valley to a 3 and out and after the Bulldogs punt Tucker Valley got the ball back at their own 47 yard line. The Wildcats then put together a drive that was highlighted by a 4th and 3 conversion with 4:33 left in the game to keep the drive alive. Tucker Valley then took the lead on a 30 yard touchdown run by Rory Nestor with 3:19 left in the contest. The PAT failed to give Tucker Valley the 20-16 lead. Tygarts Valley got the ball back with time, but the Bulldogs could not convert on a 4th and 2 which gave the ball back to Tucker Valley. Then with 1:56 left in the contest Tucker Valley picked up an important first down and then salted the game away to pick up the come from behind win in their last game of the season 20-16.
Tucker Valley finished the season with a 2-6 record. The Wildcats honored their 8th grade football players and support staff before the game. Those honored were:
For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com