The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins High’s Xavier Workman takes a pass from quarterback Nate Sauerwein en route to a 38-yard touchdown score Thursday night at Tiger Stadium.

ELKINS — Class AAA, No. 13 Elkins bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 35-7 win over Grafton Thursday night at Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers celebrated the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival by jumping out to a 21-0 lead at halftime.

With 2:54 left in the first quarter, Nate Sauerwein hit Xavier Workman, who raced 38 yards for the score to make it 7-0 after Jayden Harding’s conversion kick.

After holding the Bearcats on downs, Elkins then went on a time-consuming drive, with Logan Beam capping the march with a 2-yard plunge to extend the lead to 14-0.

The Tigers found the end zone again before intermission when Beam busted free for an 18-yard scamper with 1:18 showing on second-quarter clock.

Grafton, however, battled back in the second half when quarterback Chace Kinsey broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run with 8:15 left in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14.

The Bearcats got the ball back and drove inside the EHS 5-yard line.

A costly penalty on a potential TD run moved the ball back and eventually led to a loss on downs.

The Tigers then put together a game-sealing possession with Jaden Hatfield scoring from 11 yards out to push the advantage to 27-7.

The Elkins defense stopped Grafton near midfield and a halfback pass from Beam to Xavier Workman for 30 yards led to Tony Silvester’s 19-yard surge to conclude the scoring.

Beam rushed for 130 yards on the night to lead the Tigers, followed by Hatfield with 119.

Workman, who also intercepted a pass on Grafton’s final drive of the night, had two catches for 70 yards.

Kinsey passed for 121 yards and rushed for 60 in the setback. Cole Runner had 78 yards on the ground and Cash Nestor three receptions for 86 yards.

Elkins (5-1) will travel to No. 9 North Marion next Friday.

The Bearcats (1-5) return to action Oct. 17 at home against Robert C. Byrd.