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Tigers to host Lewis County Minutemen

ELKINS — Tonight at Wimer Stadium, two long-time rivals will go head to head, as the Elkins Tigers play host to the Lewis County Minutemen.

After a 4-1 start, Lewis County had everyone thinking they were on a clear path to the playoffs, but that was before three straight losses put their playoffs hopes in jeopardy.

Last week, playing in their fourth game of the season that’s been decided by a touchdown or less, they fell to Liberty, 35-34. Second-year head coach Dustin Cogar will rely upon the talents of 6-6 senior quarterback Thomas Hogan and junior running backs Adam Cutlip and Jacob White. Offensively they average 24 points per game while allowing 27.

The Tigers (3-4) are on a roll, and will enter the contest on the heels of their most impressive win of the season, a 55-0 romp over Oak Hill a week ago. In their victory over the Red Devils, EHS, who didn’t have to attempt a single pass, had 359 yards on the ground and averaged a season-best 8.5 yards per carry.

Cory Gillespie had 4 touchdowns while seasonal rushing leader Jarrette Zopp rushed for 174 yards and another score. Defensively the Tigers were at their best, allowing just 88 yards in the game, and getting a defensive score from senior Luke Petrice, when he picked up a fumble he caused and raced to the end zone for a TD.  Senior linebacker Zach Hyre led the team with 10 tackles last week.

The leg of George Triplett was impressive once again, especially on kickoffs. The standout junior kicker had 8 touchbacks in the game, and now has 22 on the season. Also, in the process of the win, he became the school’s all-time leader in made point after attempts (74). He bested the previous mark of 69, held by former Tiger standout Cory Broughton from 2007-2010.

“Seeing George kick it the way he does, it’s great for him, but really, it’s a benefit to the whole team, his kickoffs and punting have kept the opposition with long fields to work with,” Tiger head coach Greg Hott said.

Lewis County has owned the series as of late against the Orange and Black, winning seven of the last eight meetings.

The last EHS victory came in 2011, and the last time the Tigers won at home against the Minutemen was in 2006. To say the Tigers are due for a win is an understatement.

“I’ve been around this game for a long time, 29 years to be exact, and I’ve seen Lewis County go through periods where they weren’t very good, and times where they’ve been exceptional,” Hott said. “For the last few years they’ve been a very good team that’s had our number, and they’ve been the more physical squad in this matchup, including last year.”

Hott added, “As a team, we have to match that effort, and play with that same kind of physicality if we want to be successful.”

Over the last four weeks the Tigers have been impressive offensively, averaging 37 ppg and 344 rushing yards per outing. Elkins has won three of their last four, and a big reason for the recent success, Hott said, has been the kids themselves.

He explained, “Our attitude and effort has changed, and the kids are starting to see things on the field, really understanding and comprehending what’s happening out there, and we’re better because of it. They’re making the plays that need made to win football games.”

Kickoff from historic Wimer Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

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