On what may have been the wettest, muddiest homecoming football game in recent memory, the Mt. Lions were able to grind out a big win over longtime rival the Southern Garrett Rams.
Tucker got off to an explosive start on its opening drive just a few plays into the game, as Cade Rapp found a seam on the right side of the offensive line and outran the defense for a 60-yard touchdown. Quarterback Branson Hyre added the two-point conversion, giving Tucker an early 8-0 lead.
The Rams answered before the end of the first quarter, plowing in for a touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The extra point was no good, leaving the Mt. Lions with an 8-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Tucker added a crucial score in the second quarter to extend its lead just before halftime, as Hyre scurried in from five yards out to make it 14-6 at the break.
With field conditions worsening in the second half, neither team found the end zone in the third quarter. By that point, there were no white or black jerseys, just brown from head to toe.
Late in the fourth quarter, as Tucker looked to drain the clock on a crucial fourth down, Sawyer Fansler broke loose for a 14-yard run to pick up a first down and keep the drive alive. The drive was capped off by a game-sealing four-yard plunge by Hyre for his second touchdown of the evening.
As time expired and the clock hit double zeros, Tucker celebrated a homecoming mud-bowl victory, 20-6. The win keeps the Mt. Lions’ postseason hopes alive and improves their overall record to 3-4.
Hyre finished the night completing two of six passes for minus-5 yards while adding 42 rushing yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. Rapp was productive on the ground, carrying the ball 20 times for 129 yards and one touchdown.
The Mt. Lions will now hit the road to Charmco, West Virginia, to take on the 5-2, top-10-ranked Cavaliers of Greenbrier West High School on Friday, October 23.
