In what was a perfect, cool fall Saturday afternoon in Parsons, October 3, the Tucker Valley Wildcats made quick work of the visiting Clay Battelle Cee Bees. Noah White needed just one touch of the football to put the Wildcats up 6-0 as he took the opening kickoff back 64 yards for the touchdown. Just two plays later, 8th grader Fletcher Hyre recovered a fumble on the first play of the game for the Wildcat defense.
The following play, Noah White again found the end zone, this time from 31 yards out. Twin brother Braxton completed the two-point try, and Tucker led 14-0 just 27 seconds into the football game.
On the following possession on defense, Braylon Simmons perfectly timed the pitch from the Cee Bee quarterback and intercepted the ball, giving Tucker possession. Hyre would then do the rest, scoring from 25 yards out.
The Wildcats would then force a punt and take over again on offense, where Braxton White would take a reverse 76 yards to the house. Simmons would connect with Nelson Herron on the two-point try, and Tucker led 28-0 at the end of the first period.
Before the half, the Wildcats would score two more, once on a five-yard run from Noah White and the other on a 59-yard catch-and-run from Simmons to Hyre. Starting left tackle Gunner Lester would complete the two-point try, and the Wildcats took a 42-0 lead into halftime.
The second half of the game was mainly reserved for Tucker’s younger players, seeing contributions from sixth grader Miles Henderson on offense, and a four-yard touchdown run by Easton Wolford. Clay Battelle would find the end zone once before the final whistle blew, scampering in from eight yards out to settle the final at 48-6.
Simmons finished the game with 62 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. Noah White had 36 yards rushing on two carries for two touchdowns and one more via a 64-yard kick return.
Braxton White collected 79 yards on the ground and one score. Hyre ended with 35 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, along with 59 yards receiving and another score.
Henderson contributed 38 yards on three totes, and Wolford ended with two carries for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Tucker’s defense held the Cee Bees to under 50 yards of total offense for the game’s entirety, forcing several turnovers and collecting several TFLs and sacks.
The Wildcat varsity team will be off this week, returning to action at Short Line Middle School on October 15. The junior varsity squad will host the Elkins Hornets on Tuesday, October 6, for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Tucker Valley’s record currently sits at 4-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of Bridgeport Middle.
