Bulldogs wrap up middle school football season with win

MILL CREEK – The Tygarts Valley Middle School football team wrapped up its regular season with a 48-0 win over East Hardy last week.   

After starting off 0-3, the Bulldogs reeled off four consecutive wins to end the campaign with a 4-3 overall mark.    

Leland Martin led the way for Tygarts Valley in the East Hardy victory with 84 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Max Bender added 74 yards on the ground and found the end zone three times, while Creed had 59 yards on the ground and an interception for the Bulldogs’ defense.     

Tygarts Valley’s Roy Barb had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Cougars, while Jordan Phares tallied an extra-point and hauled in one pass reception.       

Prior to last week’s season finale, the Bulldogs cruised to a 28-6 victory on the road at Pendleton County. Martin tallied 160 yards rushing and four scores in that victory, while E.J. Shreve had a 40-yard reception and Norman an 80-yard run.    

“We had a rough start to the season, but we were able to come together and turn things around,” said Tygarts Valley coach Jim Manolidis. “When it clicked, it clicked, and when they finally decided to do what they were asked to do, it really started rolling. We had a good group of kids and I was really proud of them.”