Local Sports

Tigers make debut on new turf tonight

Elkins seeks first win of young season against Lewis County

ELKINS -- The Elkins High School football team gets its first opportunity to play on the new turf at EHS Field this evening when Lewis County visits for a 7 p.m. Big 10 Conference matchup.

The Tigers of second-year head coach Jimmy Hankins have been idle since dropping a 21-20 overtime decision at Liberty two weeks ago in the season opener.

Hankins was an assistant coach at Lewis County for nine years before taking the reins at EHS.

Seniors Javier Rosario and Damien Strader led the rushing attack against the Mountaineers with sophomore Nick Bowers out with an injury.

Bowers is expected to be back in the lineup tonight.

Junior Todd Vandevender and sophomore Jaxon Drennen both saw time at quarterback, with Drennen hitting Strader for a 57-yard connection to set up the tying touchdown late in regulation.

Riley Ryder, Alijah Lucas-Hudson, Rosario and senior lineman Tayton Lee led the defensive effort.

The Minutemen, meanwhile, are coming off a 34-28 home win over Braxton County last Friday and are 1-1 on the campaign, falling at defending Class AA state champion Fairmont Senior, 42-6, to open the season.

Junior Drew Cayton rushed for 185 yards and two scores, while classmate Brayden Carder added 105 and a touchdown and junior quarterback Bryant Zielinski threw for one score and ran in another in last week's victory over the Eagles.

Tonight's game marks the first of three straight home contests for Elkins as Robert C. Byrd visits on Sept. 16 and longtime rival Philip Barbour on Sept. 23.

Lewis County will return home next Friday to face Roane County.