By: Adam Freeman
The Mt. Lions found their way back into the win column on Senior Night last Friday against the ranked AAA Hampshire Trojans (6-3). Tucker went to work on the opening kickoff as senior speedster Reid Kisamore took the return back 95 yards for a Mt. Lion touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, giving Tucker an early 8-0 lead.
The kick return would prove to be the lone score of the first quarter, with Tucker striking again in the second. Sam Marks and Luke Barb executed a perfect option play off the right side, and Barb capped it off with a six-yard touchdown run. With the failed conversion, the Mt. Lions held a two-score lead at 14-0.
Hampshire answered with its first score of the game on a 34-yard pass across the middle. The Trojans converted the PAT, cutting the lead to 14-7.
Tucker County fired back just before halftime as Marks connected with fellow senior Keelyn Eichelberger for a seven-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The two-point attempt was good, extending Tucker’s lead to 22-7 heading into the break.
The Mt. Lions continued their scoring efforts to start the third quarter as Marks found Kisamore for a 21-yard touchdown reception. The two-point try was unsuccessful, but the lead grew to 28-7.
The Trojans wouldn’t go away quietly, scoring the final two touchdowns of the game on 26-yard and seven-yard passes. Junior defensive back Evan Witt came up with the onside kick recovery, allowing Tucker’s offense to pick up two first downs and run out the clock to secure the 28-21 victory.
Marks finished the game 10-of-18 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, adding 53 yards on the ground. Kisamore filled the stat sheet with four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, eight carries for 38 yards, and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Cayden Arnold added two catches for 62 yards, and Eichelberger notched one catch for seven yards and a score. The ground game was aided by Cade Rapp, who recorded 15 carries for 48 yards, and Barb, who contributed four carries for eight yards and a touchdown.
Tucker’s defense was led by freshman linebacker Branson Hyre, who collected six solo tackles and three assists, and senior Josh Crossland, who added four solos, two assists, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
Tucker finishes the regular season at 6-4 and enters the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, securing a first-round home playoff game. The Mt. Lions will host a familiar basketball rival from Naugatuck, WV, the Tug Valley Panthers, who also enter the postseason at 6-4 and ranked No. 9.
The matchup is set for Saturday, November 15, at 1:00 p.m. at R.H. Armstrong Memorial Field, Class of 1984 Stadium in Parsons, WV.
quarterback and breaks up the pass.
