Dawn Workman
Contributing Writer
The #13 ranked Pocahontas County Warriors traveled to Logan County Friday night to take on the #4 Single A Man Hillbillies – in the 10th meeting of the two teams.
Warriors received the kick-off which was caught by WR Dalton Irvine on the 12-yard line, and he never looked back. The 88-yard kick-off return put Irvine in the end zone and the Warriors on the scoreboard, just 15 seconds into the game. JD Hensler added the extra point, and with 11:45 left in the first quarter the Warriors were up 7 – 0.
Kicker Drake Warder was outstanding as placing the ball deep into Hillbilly territory, and the special team executed and covered the field all night.
Keith Harrah, Ryan Irvine, Logan Davis, Briar Wilfong, Ryan Dilley, Chase Erlewine and Hensler help make the special teams successful.
The Hillbillies began their first offensive series on their own 33-yard line, and Warrior Safety Wyatt Workman intercepted the ball on the 47. The Warriors took over the ball at the 28 yard line, then found the end zone for the second time with a 27 yard pass from Workman to Hensler. The extra point was no good. With 9:25 left in the first quarter the score was Warriors 13, Hillbillies 0.
After forcing a punt, the Warriors pushed past the Hillbillies’ defense and scored on an 18-yard pass from Workman to Irvine. The two-point conversion pass to Irvine was good, bringing the score to 21 – 0
The Warriors scored two more times in the second quarter: a six-yard rush by Irvine, with Hensler’s extra point; and a seven yard rush by RB Morgan Mason. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
The Hillbillies scored on a 15-yard pass and added the two-point conversion, bringing the score at the half to Warriors 33, Hillbillies 8.
The Warrior defense was relentless and gave the Hillbillies very little ground in the second half. The offensive and defensive line were solid, thanks to Danny Kimble, Warder, Caleb Mullenax, Brady Jones, Hensler and Erlewine. Cade Walker was exceptional on pass coverage Friday night, allowing the Hillbillies very little offensive time.
Late in the third quarter, the Hillbillies found a man in the corner of the end zone and scored their final TD with a 16-yard pass. The Warriors stopped them short on the two-point conversion attempt, bringing the score to 33 – 14.
The Warriors final score came on a 65-yard pass from Workman to Irvine. Adding another of Hensler’s extra points, the final score was Warriors 40, Hillbillies 14.
“I’m so proud of the effort and execution of the young men on this team,” Warrior Coach Damion Elliott said.
“I was extremely proud of the team’s effort in all three phases of the game,” Coach Doug Burns added.
The Warriors will play the Cameron Dragons at Cameron Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m.
The Warriors would like to thank the community for their support throughout the season.