By Dave Helmick
TuckerCountySports.Com
MILL CREEK – The Mt. Lions traveled to Tygarts Valley for their first road game of the season on Friday September 2nd. Tucker County withstood a hard fight from the Bulldogs to get the victory on the road 32-18.
Tygarts Valley started the game with the ball as they received the opening kick, but they fumbled the ball on the return at the Mt. Lions recovered. The drive for Tucker County would stall and the Bulldogs got the ball back on their own 30 yard line. The team traded possessions until 2:43 left in the first quarter Luke Poling connected with Brett Reall on a 34 yard screen pass for a touchdown. Mason Johnson ran in the 2 point conversion to make the score 8-0 Tucker County.
The Bulldogs would get on the scoreboard in the second quarter after a Tucker County turnover from a fumble. Tygarts Valley scored on the very next play on a 37 yard touchdown run with 9:12 left in the second. The PAT failed to make the score Tucker 8 Tygarts Valley 6. On the next Mt. Lions possession a bad snap resulted in another turnover for Tucker County to give the Bulldogs the ball at the Tygarts Valley 41. Neither team could sustain drives for the rest of the quarter and the score remained 8-6 Tucker County at the half.
The Mt. Lions got the ball to start the third quarter and they put together a 10 play 71 yard drive that was capped off on a 4 yard touchdown run by Reall. Johnson again ran in the 2 point conversion to push the Tucker County lead to 16-6 with 6:42 left in the third. The Bulldogs were forced to punt and Will Callaway returned the punt 36 yards to give the Mt. Lions excellent field position. Then 5 plays later Tucker County would strike again. Reall would rush in for a touchdown from 1 yard out with 2:45 left in the third. The PAT was no good to make the score 22-6 Tucker County. Tygarts Valley would not give up as they came right back on their next possession. In just 2 plays the Bulldogs would cut into the Mt. Lions lead off a 67 yard touchdown run with 1:52 left in the third. The PAT was no good to put the score to 22-12 Tucker County. The Mt. Lions then turned the ball over once again on a fumble with 20 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs put together a drive to start the fourth quarter. Then 11 plays later Tygarts Valley scored on a 2 yard touchdown pass with 7:13 left in the game. The PAT failed once again to cut the Tucker County lead to 22-18. The Mt. Lions would respond as they put together a 9 play 65 yard drive. Cole Rapp finished off the drive with a 4 yard touchdown run with 2:56 left in the contest. The 2 point conversion was good to give Tucker County an increased lead 30-18. The Tucker County defense then stepped up on the next Bulldog drive as Brody Strawderman picked up a quarterback sack that resulted in a safety with 2:47 in the game to make the score 32-18. The Mt. Lions then ran out the clock to pick up the road victory 32-18.
Brett Reall led Tucker County in rushing with 20 carries for 129 yards. Reall also added 45 yards receiving on the night. Mason Johnson added 16 rushes for 127 yards for the Mt. Lions. Luke Poling had 12 carries for 86 yards rushing and was 5 of 9 passing for 63 yards. Tristen Dumire led Tygarts Valley with 165 yards rushing. Tucker County outgained Tygarts Valley in total offense 396-258.
Tucker County(1-1) will travel to Northern Garrett, MD on Friday, kickoff is set for 7pm. Audio coverage will be provided online by TuckerCountySports.com pregame starts at 6:45pm. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
