FRANKLIN – Tucker County traveled to Pendleton County last Friday September 28th. The Mt. Lions were unable to get the offense moving in the mud and came up short as the home standing Wildcats knocked off the #2 Mt. Lions 16-0.
Tucker County won the toss and deferred their option to the second half. This gave the Wildcats the ball to start the game. Pendleton County moved the ball, but Tucker County’s Gariet Pennington intercepted a Wildcat pass to give the Mt. Lions the ball at the Pendleton County 26. Tucker County moved the ball down to Wildcats 9 yard line, but the drive stalled there after a failed fourth down play. Pendleton County was unable to move the ball and punted the ball back to Tucker County. Tucker County also had trouble moving the ball on offense as the field conditions got worse with each snap of the game. The wet field turned to mud quickly and both teams struggled with the conditions as the first quarter ended with the score 0-0. The second quarter was like the first quarter as both teams did not sustain a drive. Pendleton County would move the ball into Tucker County territory thanks to a pass interference penalty on a third down and 14 play. The drive would stall at the Mt. Lions 31 as the Tucker County defense held on fourth down. The halftime intermission would come and the score remained 0-0.
The Mt. Lions received the kick to start the third, but Tucker County would fail to move the ball giving the ball back to Pendleton County. The mud again would cause both teams issues as both offenses failed to sustain drives in the third. Late in the third quarter Tucker County’s Gariet Pennington got another interception to put the Mt. Lions deep in Pendleton County territory with 1:20 left in the third. The third quarter would end with the game still deadlocked at 0-0. In the fourth quarter Tucker County would see their drive end on a failed fourth down play at the Wildcats 24. Pendleton County then made a big play on defense as they intercepted a Liam Hood pass and returned it to the Mt. Lions 23 yard line. Then 3 plays later Pendleton County would break the 0-0 tie on an 11 yard touchdown pass with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter. The 2 point conversion was good to make the score 8-0 Wildcats. Tucker County’s next possession did not go well and they had to punt the ball back to Pendleton County. The Wildcats then fumbled the ball back to Tucker County after a big play to give the ball to the Mt. Lions with 654 left in the game. The Mt. Lions were unable to pick up a first down after a sack by Pendleton County. A short punt then gave the ball back to the Wildcats in Tucker County’s side of the field. The home team then got another score on a 28 yard touchdown run. The PAT was good again to push the Wildcat lead to 16-0 with 3:08 left in the game. The Mt. Lions were unable to move the ball the rest of the contest and Tucker County fell for the first time this season by the final score of 16-0.
Liam Hood led Tucker County with 8 of 22 passing for 53 yards and Cole Rapp added 13 carries for 48 yards rushing. Pendleton County was led by Kole Puffenberger with 51 yards passing. Pendleton County outgained Tucker County in total offense 129-102.
Tucker County(5-1) will host East Hardy on Friday October 5th, kickoff is set for 7pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
