By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker Valley Football team played host to the Tygarts Valley Bulldogs last week for the inaugural Mountain Five Conference Championship. Both teams came into the contest with a record of 6-2 overall with Tucker holding the win over Tygarts Valley in the regular season matchup. The Wildcats would score on their first possession of the game on a 13-yard scamper by Sawyer Fansler. Branson Hyre added the two-point play and the score was 8-0. The Bulldogs would turn the ball over on downs and Tucker would answer with another score from Fansler, this time from 3 yards out. Johnathan Tuttle punched in the two-point conversion and Tucker led 16-0. The Wildcat defense continued its domination, as Titus Bowley picked off the would be pass. A few plays later Fansler scored his third first half touchdown on a 36-yard run. The two-point play was good on a pass from Hyre to Tuttle and the lead swelled to 24-0. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs and the Wildcats took advantage, with a 31-yard run by Bowley. Eighth grade, right tackle, Isaiah Lipscomb, got in on the action and added the two points and the Wildcats lead it 32-0. The Tucker defense again suffocated their opponents and forced another turnover on downs. Eighth grade leader, Branson Hyre, would bust free for a 32-yard score, with a failed two-point conversion, Tucker held the lead at the half, 38-0. Tucker would have the ball to start the second half and would continue their control of the line of scrimmage, as Tuttle took an 18-yard carry into the end zone, on a play that included an amazing stiff arm by Tuttle. The point after was no good and the Wildcats lead 44-0. The Bulldogs would finally get into the end zone midway through the third quarter on a 13- yard run and the attempt was no good, making the score 44-6. Two plays later Tucker would answer on a 51-yard QB keeper by Hyre, again the two point was no good and the score was 50-6. Tygarts Valley kept their offense going with a second consecutive TD drive capped off with a 28-yard run and a successful two-point play bringing the game, 50-14. Tucker’s Hyre would again answer with another long run, this time for a 47-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats would then line up for a traditional extra point that was successful on the try, by Hyre. This proved to be one of the most exciting plays of the game, pushing the score to 57-14. Tucker then forces its second interception of the game, this time by Quinton Teter, giving the Wildcats one last possession for the season. Eighth grade back, Jordan Freeman, would get in on the action and score from 30 yards out making the final score 63-14 in favor of Tucker Valley. Tucker was led on the night by Branson Hyre who had 145 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns, Sawyer Fansler added 101 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns and Johnathan Tuttle went for 57 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats end their season as Conference Champions with an overall record of 7-2.
