Mt. Lions fight hard but drop game at Petersburg 35-28

By Dave Helmick
TuckerCountySports.Com

PETERSBURG – Tucker County traveled to Petersburg for an away game last Friday October 28th. The Mt. Lions tied the game at 28 late in the third quarter, but Petersburg got another score in the fourth to pick up the win 35-28.
Tucker County won the toss and deferred their option until the second half. Petersburg took the opening kick and put together a strong drive that was capped off on a 15 yard touchdown pass. The PAT kick was good to make the score 7-0 with 9:23 left in the first quarter. The Mt. Lions put their offense to work on their first possession as they marched down the field on 72 yard drive that was finished off on a Luke Poling 8 yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was no good to put the score to 7-6 Petersburg with 5:15 left in the first. The Vikings did not convert a fourth down play on their next drive, but Tucker County fumbled the ball back to Petersburg on the next play. Petersburg then capitalized with a 5 yard touchdown pass on the drive with 1:01 left in the first quarter. The PAT kick was good to make the score 14-6 after one quarter.
The Mt. Lions had to punt on their next drive, but Luke Poling stepped in front of a Vikings pass to collect an interception to give Tucker County back the ball at the Petersburg 20 yard line. The Mt. Lions then punched the ball into the end zone on a 2 yard touchdown run by Brett Reall. The 2 point conversion failed to keep the score at 14-12 with 7:12 left in the second quarter. The Vikings would not waste any time as their next play on offense would go for 76 yards on a touchdown pass to make the score 21-12 after the PAT kick was good. After the Mt. Lions turned the ball over on downs Tucker County forced Petersburg to punt and the Mt. Lions took over at their own 24. Tucker County then put together a nice drive before halftime. The drive was capped off with a Ben Callaway 28 yard field goal as time expired in the second to put the score to 21-15 Petersburg at the half.
Tucker County got the ball to start the third and they went right to work on offense. The Mt. Lions drove 66 yards and Luke Poling connected with Will Callaway on a 26 yard touchdown pass to tie the game 21-21 after a failed PAT with 6:22 left in the third. Petersburg would answer once again on a 62 yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings a 28-21 lead with 6:03 left in the third. Tucker County failed to move the ball on their next possession, but the Mt. Lions defense held Petersburg to give Tucker County the ball back on their own 40. The Mt. Lions then put together a scoring drive that was finished off on a Poling 1 yard touchdown run with 1:09 left in the third. The PAT kick was good to tie the score 28-28.

The Mt. Lions defense was able to force Petersburg to punt, but the Tucker County offense could not sustain the drive that stalled at the 50 forcing a punt. The Vikings would then strike quickly again on a 76 yard touchdown pass play with 7:47 left in the fourth quarter. The PAT kick was good to make the core 35-28 Petersburg. Tucker County then drove the ball into Vikings territory, but the Mt. Lions could not convert on a fourth down play with 5:05 left in the game. Petersburg moved the ball and set up for a field goal late in the game. The 43 yard field goal attempt was missed to give Tucker County a chance with 1:30 left in the contest. The Vikings would then intercept a Poling pass with 46 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for Petersburg by the final score of 35-

28.
Luke Poling led the Mt. Lions with 16 of 22 passing for 223 yards and Jameson Hardy finished with 8 receptions for 140 yards. Will Callaway added 4 receptions for 80 yards and Brett Reall had 8 carries for 31 yards rushing. Jacob Hartman led Petersburg with 380 yards passing.
Tucker County(2-7) will travel to Fairmont State University to face Notre Dame next Friday November 4th for the last game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com