By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker Valley Wildcats are undefeated no more after a battle in Baker, WV, this past week. Tucker struck first in the matchup, as Titus Bowley found Legend Harper for a 20-yard catch and score. The conversion failed, but the Wildcats took an early 6-0 lead.
The defense then came up with a stop, and Tucker’s offense went back to work. Shifty 7th-grader Fletcher Hyre dove in from 3 yards out to extend Tucker’s lead to 12-0 late in the second quarter. East Hardy answered just before the half with a 21-yard rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion, cutting the score to 12-8 at the break.
Wildcats’ leading rusher Titus Bowley suffered an ankle injury just before halftime. The 8th-grader was able to finish the contest but was clearly not at 100%, and his injury hampered the Wildcats in the second half.
The Cougars opened the third quarter with a 52-yard touchdown run to take their first lead of the game, 14-12. Tucker’s offense struggled to get going in the second half and failed to produce any points in the third quarter. East Hardy added to their lead early in the fourth with a 15-yard bubble screen touchdown, making it 22-12.
Tucker responded, as Bowley connected with Elijah O’Brien on a 42-yard catch and run, setting up Bowley for a 2-yard touchdown plunge. With the score at 22-18 and just under a minute to play, the Wildcats attempted an onside kick. O’Brien placed the kick perfectly, and it initially ended up in Wildcat hands, only to pop loose when the player hit the ground. East Hardy recovered and took a knee to run out the clock, sealing the 22-18 victory.
Bowley ended the game with 107 rushing yards and one touchdown, while also throwing for 74 yards and another score. Fletcher Hyre contributed 61 rushing yards and one touchdown. Legend Harper had one catch for 20 yards and a score, and Elijah O’Brien added one catch for 42 yards.
Tucker Valley’s record now stands at 5-1. With the varsity squad off this week, the younger Wildcats will face Elkins on Wednesday, October 15th, at 6:00 p.m. at RH Armstrong Memorial Field.
