The Tucker County High School varsity football team got a small look into the future this past week, as the team took the field without last year’s leading rusher and first team all-stater, Jared Reall and last season’s leading receiver and fellow first team all-stater, Garrett Wilfong. Tucker would also find themselves minus starting quarterback Sam Marks who is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Mt. Lions traveled to Elkins on Monday June 16th for a single matchup with Elkins High School. Junior, Luke Barb, got the nod to start the game throwing two touchdowns, one to junior, Cade Rapp, and one to senior, Brock Hovatter. Incoming freshman, Branson Hyre, saw significant time in the pocket as well, also tossing two touchdowns.
One to fellow incoming freshman, Jonathon Tuttle, and one to junior, Cayden “Diz” Arnold, who the staff has high expectations for this coming season. TC would ultimately fall to Elkins with a final score of 42-28 but would have more opportunities later in the week facing multiple opponents at Philip Barbour High School. There, Tucker would first face the home standing Colts and take the win 12-3.
Hyre saw all the snaps at the quarterback position, tossing a touchdown to returning allstate reciver, Reid Kisamore, and to Cayden Arnold. TC would face Doddridge County High School in the second matchup falling in a close one 16-13 to the Bulldogs. Hyre dished out two TDs to Kisamore and an extra point to Arnold. The Mt. Lions would then get a rematch from last season’s state semifinals with the Wahama White Falcons.
TCHS would come up short in the bout 17-12 seeing touchdown catches again from Kisamore and Arnold. Tucker would finish up the day full of games against the Preston Knights. Hyre would toss Tucker’s lone touchdown to Kisamore as they lost to the Knights 17-6. Tucker will compete again in 7v7 format at Keyser High School on June 23rd at 5:00pm.
