Tucker County High School opened up its 2026 football campaign at home this past week against Pocahontas County. The Warriors opened up the scoring in the first quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass and an extra point to take the lead 7-0. Tucker would battle back before the half as senior Cade Rapp would power in from five yards out. With the two-point conversion, Tucker would take the lead into the half at 8-7.
Pocahontas would answer on the first possession of the second half as they capped off a long drive with a six-yard touchdown run, and with the two-point try, the Warriors regained the lead 15-8. Tucker would then get its longest, most explosive play of the game as sophomore Sawyer Fansler found a seam in the middle of the defense and scampered in from 29 yards out. With another successful two-point try, Tucker took back the lead 16-15. That would prove to be the final score of the game for the Mt. Lions, as Pocahontas would score on a 14-yard rush and then a pick-six in the fourth quarter to end the game with a final score of 31-16 in favor of the visiting Warriors.
The loss marks the first time Tucker County has lost to Pocahontas County since the 2021 season. Sophomore quarterback Branson Hyre ended the night 5-15 for 47 yards and two interceptions. Hyre added 11 carries for 57 yards on the ground. Senior Cade Rapp steadied the ground game with 21 carries for 110 yards and one touchdown, and fellow sophomore Sawyer Fansler added 5 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Tucker will look to get back on track next week as they travel to Mill Creek to take on the 0-1 Tygarts Valley Bulldogs.
