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HAMBLETON - The Tucker County Mountain Lions lost their second game of the season Friday, hosting an unbeaten East Hardy team and falling, 43 to 14.
East Hardy started the game strong, taking a 14-8 lead into the second quarter. The Cougars punched in a 9-yard touchdown run with 3:33 left in the half, and then converted the 2-point conversion, pushing their lead to 22-8.
Tucker County responded well, moving the ball down the field quickly, with sophomore quarterback Branson Hyre scoring on a short-yardage touchdown run, but the 2-point conversion failed, making the score 22-14 in favor of East Hardy with 1:23 in the half.
With less than a minute before halftime, the Mountain Lions gave up a long touchdown pass, with the Cougar receiver making a great move and faking out two Tucker defenders. East Hardy kicked the extra point, extending their lead to 29-14 with 32 seconds left in the half.
In the second half, East Hardy sophomore quarterback Brinn Childers gained 18 yards on a keeper, taking it to the Tucker County 10-yard line. The Cougars’ Nehemiah Graham scored on the next play on a 10-yard run. The extra point attempt failed, leaving the score 35-14 with East Hardy on top.
The Mountain Lions turned the ball over on its 35-yard line on its next possession, but East Hardy could not take advantage of the turnover. Tucker regained the ball and moved inside the Cougars’ 40-yard line.
A pair of passes from Hyre took the ball close to the East Hardy 10, where the drive stalled, and Tucker turned the ball over on downs.
Just moments later, the Cougars scored an 89-yard touchdown, with senior quarterback Trevor Roof connecting with Childers. The 2-point conversion was successful, making the score 43-14 in East Hardy’s favor.
The Mountain Lions completed a 40-yard-plus pass on their next possession to senior wide receiver Evan Witt. They continued to move the ball until the Cougars intercepted a pass in the end zone, ending Tucker’s last threat to score.
Tucker’s senior running back Cade Rapp had 17 carries for 68 yards. Hyre had 13 completions on the night.
Next week, Tucker (1-2) will travel to Clay-Battelle (1-1).
East Hardy (3-0) will host Van (0-2).
Buckhannon-Upshur 24, Nicholas County 19
SUMMERSVILLE - In a game with four lead changes, Buckhannon-Upshur came back to defeat Nicholas County, 24-19.
Buckhannon-Upshur started the game in a dominant fashion, building a 10-0 lead by the second quarter, but after an 86-yard touchdown play, Nicholas County had taken the lead, 12-10.
With 4:16 left in the half, the Bucs picked up a first down at the Nicholas County 6-yard line, and then called their last time out of the half.
On first and goal, the Bucs lost a yard, but then scored on a pass play from senior quarterback Brody McDaniels, and converted the 2-point play, putting them back on top 18-12 with 3 minutes left in the first half.
The Bucs’ Kadeen Edwards, a freshman, intercepted a pass - B-U’s second interception of the game - to stop a Nicholas County drive late in the half.
Buckhannon-Upshur then threw an interception of its own to close out the first half, with the Grizzlies’
junior Tanner Evans grabbing the errant pass.
The third quarter began with the Bucs leading 18-12. The Grizzlies advanced the ball into B-UHS territory, and on fourth and inches, Nicholas County picked up the first down at the B-UHS 30.
The Grizzlies scored a touchdown to complete the 63-yard drive, which took more than 5 minutes off the clock, knotting the score at 18-18. The extra point was good, putting Nicholas County on top again, 19-18.
The Bucs then quickly moved the ball to the Grizzlies’ 20-yard line, but the drive died, with B-UHS missing a field goal attempt.
With 4:08 left in the game, the Bucs took over the ball at the 50-yard line. Sophomore Isaiah Cole broke multiple tackles on his way to the 4-yard line.
On second and goal, B-UHS scored on a 2-yard run by senior running back Eli Watkins. The two-point conversion failed, with the Bucs taking the lead 24-19 with 2:24 left.
Striving for a potential game-winning touchdown, Nicholas County faced fourth and 16 at their own 29-yard line, with just over a minute remaining. The Buccaneers picked off a last-gasp pass, their third interception of the game, guaranteeing their victory.
Next week, B-UHS will travel to Elkins (2-1).
Nicholas County will go on the road to face Lincoln (1-1).