(Photo by Brittany Channell)
The Tucker County Mt. Lions football team made the trip north last Friday night to Blacksville, WV, to take on the 1-1 Clay Batelle Cee Bees. CB got off to an early lead as they scored early on the opening drive, connecting on a 65-yard touchdown pass, with the XP no good. The Cee Bees jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. Tucker would mount several drives in the half but finally put a scoring one together as quarterback Branson Hyre would dive into the end zone from one yard out, with a successful two-point try. Tucker took the lead into halftime 8-6.
Tucker got the ball to start the second half and scored a crucial touchdown as Cade Rapp pummeled his way across the goal line for a one-yard score. The two-point try was no good, but Tucker extended the lead to 14-6. However, Clay Batelle would answer on a 30-yard catch and score. Tucker managed to halt the two-point try to maintain their two-point advantage at 14-12.
The next score came late in the fourth quarter, with Tucker backed up into their own red zone. A blocked punt went through the back of the end zone for a safety that would tie the game at 14 apiece. The Cee Bees would mount a drive as time expired, but the Mt. Lions defense stood tall, forcing overtime in Blacksville.
Clay Batelle would win the OT coin toss and elect to go on defense first. In high school football, each team gets a chance with the ball starting on the 20-yard line going into the end zone.
Tucker would get a first down, then score on a one-yard run by Rapp. Hyre would then deliver a beautifully thrown ball on the two-point try as Rapp made possibly the most acrobatic play of the game, diving to catch the ball as he crossed the front pylon of the end zone. The play was critical and put the pressure on the Cee Bees at 22-14.
Clay Batelle would go on the offensive, garnering a first down, but the Tucker defense would put them behind the sticks and force a fourth-and-goal situation. Senior defensive end Gunnar Carroll would then show out big for his team, sacking the Clay Batelle QB and putting the game away for the Mt. Lions victory, 22-14.
Tucker’s offense put together over 300 total yards of offense on the night. Branson Hyre finished 16 of 23 for 176 yards, with 16 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Cade Rapp put together 91 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, along with three catches for 17 yards. Receiver Brayden Bennett finished with 6 catches for 72 yards alongside Evan Hexom, with four catches for 59 yards. Tucker’s defense produced four turnovers via two fumble recoveries from Carroll and Jonathan Tuttle, and two interceptions, one from freshman Rylan Sexton, and the other from junior Evan Hexom.
With the win, Tucker’s record improves to .500 at 2-2 as they are set to return home this week as they play host to the Cameron Dragons Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.
(Photo by Brittany Channell)
