By Dave Helmick
TuckerCountySports.Com
PARSONS – Tucker County hosted #1 ranked East Hardy for the final home game of the season last Friday October 7th. The Mt. Lions led 7-0 early, East Hardy scored 50 unanswered points to get the road win 50-7.
Tucker County got the ball to start the game after East Hardy won the toss and deferred their option until the second half. The Mt. Lions started the drive at their own 40 and went right to work. Tucker County capped off an 8 play drive with a 5 yard touchdown run by Cole Rapp. The PAT kick was good to make the score 7-0 Mt. Lions with 7:49 left in the first. Then the Cougars took to the field on offense, but on the second play from scrimmage Tucker County’s Brett Reall forced a fumble on a big hit and the Mt. Lions recovered at the East Hardy 47 yard line. After one first down the drive stalled and Tucker County punted the ball away. The visiting Cougars then put together a good drive that took the ball down to Tucker County 10 yard line where they lined up for a field goal attempt. East Hardy then faked the field goal, but was unable to get the first down and the Mt. Lions took over at their own 2 yard line. Tucker County gained 1 yard on the first play, but on the next play Luke Poling slipped on a quarterback keeper which resulted in a safety to give East Hardy 2 points with 1:51 left in the first. The score after one quarter was 7-2 Tucker County.
The Cougars then took the ball down the field on a 10 play drive. This drive was capped off by a 3 yard touchdown run with 8:52 left in the second and with the successful PAT kick the Cougars took the lead 9-7. Tucker County failed to move the ball on their next possession and they were forced to punt the ball back to East Hardy. The Cougars fielded the punt and returned the kick 60 yards for a touchdown. The PAT kick was good to push the East Hardy lead to 16-7 with 7:04 left in the second quarter. The Mt. Lions got some momentum on a big 34 yard pass play from Poling to Will Callaway after the ball was deflected by the Cougars. Tucker County was unable to convert on a fourth and inches play which gave East Hardy the ball back on the Cougars 22 yard line. East Hardy then overcame a 15 yard penalty to pick up a first down to extend the drive. Then the Cougars scored on a 43 yard touchdown run with 1:36 left in the first half. The PAT kick was good to make the score 23-7. The score remained 23-7 East Hardy at the half.
East Hardy got the ball to start the second half and picked up where they left off as they scored on a 6 yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was good again to up the East Hardy lead to 30-7 with 9:03 left in the third. The Cougars then kicked it short and recovered to put their offense back one the field. East Hardy then scored two plays later on a 31 yard touchdown pass with 8:21 left in the third quarter to push the Cougar lead to 36-7 after a failed PAT. East Hardy then attempted another onside kick, but Tucker County recovered the kick. The Mt. Lions were unable to get their offense moving and East Hardy would add a score with 6:41 left in the third to make the score 43-7 at the end of the third quarter. The Cougars would add one more score on the night on a pass play with 11:50 left in the game to make the final score 50-7.
Brett Reall led Tucker County with 15 carries for 52 yards rushing and Luke Poling added 14 carries and 43 yards rushing. Poling also was 5 of 12 passing for 52 yards. East Hardy was led by Philip Mullen with 210 yards rushing and the Cougars outgained the Mt. Lions in total yards 547 to 199. Before the game the following fall senior athletes were honored: Football-Brody Strawderman, Eddie Kachmarek, Will Callaway, Jameson Hardy, Brandon McGee, Dillon Swartz, Brett Strawderman, Joey Howell, Logan Pitzer, Josh Freeman, Logan Pennington, Jonathan Paugh, Alex Dyer, Karsyn White, Abby Bowley, Kate Bates. Cheerleading-Leah Underwood, Kenzie Kyle. Cross Country-Josh Kincaid, Noah Nelson, Ryan Hart.
Tucker County(2-5) will be off this week before traveling to Pendleton County on October 21st, kickoff is set for 7pm in Franklin, WV. Audio coverage will be provided by WELK 94.7fm, pregame starts at 6:30pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com