PARSONS – Tucker County hosted Pendleton County for Homecoming last Friday October 20th. The Mt. Lions drove the field late in the contest to score a touchdown to pick up the win 14-8.
Tucker County won the coin toss and deferred their option until the second half. This gave Pendleton County the ball to start the game. The visiting Wildcats could not move the ball and were forced to punt the ball to Tucker County. The Mt. Lions offense could not get started as Luke Poling tossed an interception 2 plays later to give Pendleton County the ball back at their own 45 yard line. The Wildcats then drove the ball down to the Mt. Lions 6, but the drive stalled there after a failed fourth down play. Tucker County would then punt on their next possession giving Pendleton County the ball at mid field. The Wildcats then put together a drive that was capped off on a 2 yard touchdown run with 36 seconds left in the first quarter. The PAT kick failed to make the score 6-0 Pendleton County after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter neither offense could sustain drives as each team punted the ball twice in the second quarter. Tucker County then got on the scoreboard with 4:29 left in the second quarter after a 34 yard touchdown run from Luke Poling. The PAT kick from Ben Callaway was good to give the Mt. Lions the lead 7-6. The offenses for both teams struggled the rest of the second quarter to keep the score 7-6 Tucker County at the half.
The defense for both teams continued to dominate the action in the third quarter as neither team could sustain drives. Then with 55 second left in the third quarter Tucker County committed a holding penalty in their own end zone on a punt. This penalty resulted in a safety and 2 points for Pendleton County to give the visiting team the lead 8-7 after three quarters of action.
Pendleton County drove the ball down inside the Tucker County 20, but the Wildcats could not convert on the fourth down play. The Tucker County offense took over at their own 15 yard line. The Mt. Lions offense then went to work. Tucker County marched the ball down the field on a clock consuming 16 play drive with a key 4th and 4 conversion on a Poling to Ben Cromer pass play to keep the drive alive. Cole Rapp then finished off the drive for the Mt. Lions on a 3 yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was good to give Tucker County the lead back with 1:44 left in the game. Pendleton County received the kick, but they were unable to convert on a fourth down play that gave the Mt. Lions back ball. Tucker County then ran out the clock to get the homecoming victory 14-8.
Luke Poling led the Mt. Lions in rushing with 16 carries for 44 yards and Poling added 9 of 14 passing for 45 yards. Ben Cromer added 5 receptions for 41 yards receiving for Tucker County in the win. Pendleton County was led by Jared Harman with 89 yards rushing. Senior Carleigh Bolyard was crowned TCHS Homecoming Queen during the halftime ceremony Friday night.
Tucker County(3-5) will host Petersburg this Friday October 27th, kickoff is set for 7pm. Audio Broadcast Coverage will be provided by WELK 94.7FM with pregame starting at 6:30pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
