PARSONS – The Mt. Lions hosted Pocahontas County for their first game of the season on Friday August 24th. Tucker County got down early, but scored 18 straight points to pick up the opening day victory by final score of 18-7.
Pocahontas County won the coin toss and choose to receive the kick to start the game. The Warriors went right to work as they put together a drive that covered 65 yards in 11 plays and was capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run. The Pocahontas County extra point kick was good to make the score 7-0 Warriors with 4:39 left in the first quarter.
Tucker County would answer back quickly on offense as 3 plays later Liam Hood connected with Ben Callaway on a 70 yard touchdown pass with 3:40 left in the first quarter. The snap was dropped on the extra point kick and the PAT failed to keep the score 7-6 Pocahontas County.
The second quarter was dominated by defense as neither team could sustain a drive until late in the quarter. Pocahontas County went back to punt and with 3:55 left in the second quarter Tucker County’s Owen Poling blocked the punt to give the Mt. Lions the ball at the Warriors 39 yard line. Tucker County then put together a drive that lasted 6 plays as Hood scored on a 1 yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left before halftime. The 2 point attempt failed, but Tucker County took the lead by the score of 12-7. The Warriors were unable to get anything moving on offense before the half and the second quarter ended with Tucker County leading 12-7.
The Mt. Lions received the kick to start the third quarter, but they could not move the ball and was forced to punt the ball back to Pocahontas County. The Tucker County defense then stepped up as the Warriors drove the ball down to the Mt. Lions 29, but Pocahontas County was unable to pick up a first down. Tucker County took over at their own 32 and the offense went to work again. The Mt. Lions drove the ball 68 yards in 7 plays. The drive was highlighted by a 27 yard pass play from Hood to Ben Callaway, but he drive ended when Cole Rapp ran the ball into the end zone from 8 yards out with 32 seconds left in the third. The PAT failed to push the Tucker County lead to 18-7.
In the fourth quarter Pocahontas County could not sustain a drive and the Tucker County defense did their job on the night. The Mt. Lions defense held the Warriors scoreless for 3 quarters and Tucker County picked up the win over Pocahontas County by the final score of 18-7. This was the Mt. Lions first win over the Warriors since 2013.
Liam Hood led Tucker County on 6 of 8 passing for 132 yards. Ben Callaway had 4 receptions for 113 yards receiving and Hunter Collar added 8 carries for 40 yards rushing. Pocahontas County was led by Dillon Shinaberry with 22 carries for 125 yards rushing. The Warriors outgained Tucker County in rushing(207-72), but Tucker County outgained Pocahontas County in passing yards(132-17).
Tucker County(1-0) will travel to Tygarts Valley on Friday August 31st, kickoff is set for 7pm. Radio Coverage will be provided by 94.7FM WELK pregame starts at 6:30pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
