By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker County Mountain Lions Varsity played host to the visiting East Hardy Cougars, last Friday night in Parsons for the Battle of the Big Cats, in what was a very physical and hard-fought contest. Tucker would get on the board first after a lengthy drive capped off with a 5-yard touchdown run by Jared Reall. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, and Tucker was out to an early 6-0 lead. Neither team would score again in the first, however, Reall would score to start the second, this time on a 9-yard touchdown carry with the two-point conversion completed on a pass from QB, Sam Marks, to receiver, Garrett Wilfong, making the score 14-0. Tucker would hold East Hardy on its next possession and take a lengthy drive down the field that would eventually stall on the 1-yard line. A few plays later linebacker, Garrett Wilfong, would take an incredible, high-flying 30-yard interception return for a touchdown pushing TC lead out to 20-0 as the two-point attempt failed. The Mt. Lions would head to the locker room with the lead at half. Neither team was able to find the endzone in the third quarter and it was not until the final few minutes of the fourth quarter, that East Hardy found the end zone for the first time in the game making the score 20 – 7, which would be the eventual final to the contest. Tucker was led on the night by Jared Reall with 30 carries, 179 yards, and two touchdowns. Tucker was led on defense by linebacker, Marky Philipps, who had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, along with defensive tackle, Josh Crossland, who added five tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. With the victory, Tucker improves to 3-0 on the season and will return home Friday night, as the visiting Titans of Gilmer County make the trip to RH Armstrong Memorial Field Class of 1984 Stadium.
