PARSONS – Tucker County opened the football season at home last Friday August 29th against Pocahontas County. The Mt. Lions turned the ball over 3 times and gained just 62 total yards on offense as the Warriors held on late for a 13-6 win.
Tucker County won the coin toss and deferred their option to the second half. The Mt. Lions defense forced a punt and Kellen Dunn returned the punt 50 yards to the Warriors 6 yard line. Tucker County got to the 3 yard line, but a false start penalty backed up the Mt. Lions on a 4th down play and they were unable to convert to give the ball back to Pocahontas County at their 11 yard line. Both teams exchanged punts before a fumble by the Warriors gave Tucker County the ball at the Pocahontas County 34 yard line. A fumble by Tucker County two plays later turned into disaster as the Pocahontas County defender scooped up the fumble and returned it 62 yards for a Warriors touchdown. The extra point kick was no good to keep the score at 6-0 Pocahontas County with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.
Tucker County was unable to move the ball on offense on their next possession and punted the ball back to the Warriors. The visitors also struggled on offense and punted the ball back to Tucker County. Once again the offense for the Mt. Lions struggled to move the ball after a false start penalty on second down. Pocahontas County moved the ball on their next possession that started at their own 32 yard line. After picking up a first down, a penalty by the Warriors forced them into a 3rd and 14 from the Pocahontas 47 yard line. Then the Warriors connected on a pass and catch touchdown from 53 yards out to extend the visitors lead. The extra point kick was good to make the score 13-0 Pocahontas County.
The Mt. Lions next possession started at their 29 yard line, but on the third play the pass was intercepted by Pocahontas County at the Tucker County 24 yard line. However, the Warriors were unable to convert the turnover to points as they fumbled the ball back to the Mt. Lions three plays later at the Tucker County 14 yard line. The third turnover of the game for Tucker County came at the end of the first half as Pocahontas County stepped in front of a Mt. Lions pass as time expired on the 2nd quarter clock and the score remained 13-0 Warriors at the half.
Punting the football was the theme for the third quarter as both teams were unable to sustain drives in the third and the score remained 13-0 Pocahontas County. Tucker County got the ball on their 29 yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter and got the offense moving. On a 3rd down play Daniel Kisamore connected with Logan Fridley for a 32 yard pass play and a late hit penalty by the Warriors moved the ball down to the Pocahontas 19 yard line. The drive stalled, however, after a false start penalty and on 4th down the Warriors got a quarterback sack to end the Mt. Lions drive at the 26 yard line. Pocahontas County ran 3 plays and then had to punt the ball back to Tucker County, but a high snap on the punt gave the Mt. Lions the ball at the Warriors 5 yard line. Tucker County got on the scoreboard 3 plays later with 4:50 left in the game to put the score to 13-6 after a missed extra point.
The Mt. Lions then recovered an onside kick to give them the ball again at their own 45. The offense once again had problems moving the ball and the Mt. Lions had to punt the ball back to the Warriors. Pocahontas County started their drive on their own 16, but could not pick up a 1st down to run out the clock so they had to punt on 4th down. The snap was a problem once again for the visitors and Tucker County got the ball at the Warriors 20 yard line with less than 3 minutes left in the game. On the first play the Mt. Lions went to the pass, but the pass was intercepted by Pocahontas County with 2:38 left in the game. The Warriors ran out the clock to get the road victory 13-6.
Daniel Kisamore finished with 15 yards rushing and 28 yards passing for the Mt. Lions. Tucker County was outgained in total offense 211-62, but still had a chance to tie or win the game late.
Tucker County(0-1) will travel to Tygarts Valley on Friday, kickoff is set for 7:30pm. Radio Coverage will be provided by 94.7FM WELK pregame starts at 7pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
