BAKER – Tucker Valley Middle School football team took to the road last Wednesday September 10th against East Hardy Middle. The Wildcats fought hard but were unable to come up with the win as East Hardy got the victory 20-14.
Tucker Valley struck first as Mason Johnson hurdled a player on a 44 yard touchdown run with 5:40 left in the first quarter. The 2 point conversion failed and the score was 6-0 Tucker Valley. East Hardy answered right back with a great drive of that was capped by a 45 yard run for a touchdown. The 2 point conversion was good to give the Cougars the lead 8-6 with 1:18 left in the first quarter.
The next Wildcat possession resulted in a punt. Then East Hardy connected on a 45 yard touchdown pass on 3rd down and 9 with 6:27 left in the second quarter. The PAT failed to make the score 14-6 East Hardy. Tucker Valley threw an interception on their next possession on a halfback option pass play to give the Cougars the ball back. East Hardy was unable to score as the Wildcats got an interception from Ben Cromer to stop the drive with 24 seconds left in the half. The Wildcats took the ball down to the East Hardy 12 before time expired in the half and the score remained East Hardy 14 Tucker Valley 6.
East Hardy fumbled the ball to start the second half and Tucker Valley recovered at the Cougars 35. Then 5 plays later the Wildcats scored on a 6 yard touchdown run by Cole Rapp with 5:02 left in the third quarter. The PAT was good on a Rapp run and the score was tied 14-14. The Cougars answered back with an 11 play drive that was capped off by a 4 yard touchdown run with 7:55 left in the game. The PAT failed and the score was 20-14 East Hardy.
The Wildcats had chances to tie the game in the last 7 minutes of the contest, but 2 fumbles and an interception on 3 separate possessions could not be overcome and East Hardy picked up the win 20-14.
Mason Johnson had 14 carries for 120 yards rushing for Tucker Valley. Cole Rapp finished with 10 carries for 43 yards rushing and 2 receptions for 58 yards receiving. Corrick Ambrose added 5 of 9 passing for 97 yards passing for Tucker Valley.
Tucker Valley will host Pendleton County tonight; kickoff is set for 7pm from Parsons. For more Tucker County Sports info visit TuckerCountySports.Com
