Mitchell B. Koerber
Student Sports Journalist
Rivalry tends to give courage to those who want a battle. It builds aggression, needing to be released in a manner of blows, shouts and hits – all of which are left on the field.
Week 8 against the Pen-dleton High School Wildcats would be a disappointing loss in this match between rivals as the Pocahontas County High School Warriors were defeated 42-6.
The Wildcats dominated the game with a pass heavy offensive plan that the Warriors were unable to stop. Going into halftime, Pocahontas was down 35-0. After making adjustments during halftime, the Warriors were able to slow the bleeding and held the Wildcats to just one touchdown for the remainder of the game. Coach Matt Buzzard shifted star defensive back Sophomore, #3 Morgan Beverage to cover Wildcat Senior, #14 receiver Josiah Kimble. This limited Pendleton’s pass attack in the second half. Pendleton could not run on the Warriors, mainly due to the interior defensive line made up by Senior, #71 DJ Wilfong and Junior, #77 Jacob Bennett, which is why they relied so heavily on their passing game.
The only Warrior touchdown of the night was made with 5:14 left in the third quarter by Sophomore, #3 Morgan Beverage. From the Pocahontas 46-yard line, Beverage would catch a 5-yard hitch pass and break free of three tackles at the Wildcats’ 44-yard line and squirt out the back all the way to the end zone. The extra point attempt failed. After the game, Coach Doug Burns said to the team, “I like your fight. You never give up. That’s Pocahontas County Football – we never give up!”
A team made up of mainly sophomores carried most of the load during the game versus Pendleton County, whose team was led by nine seniors. Pendleton’s Head Coach even remarked, “This year’s team is the best team I have ever coached!”
Everyone knew this was a building year for the Warriors, and it is games like this that add the experience this young team needs. Can you imagine what this team will be capable of when all these sophomores are seniors?
The Warriors get to lick their wounds as they have a bye-week this week.
Their next game will be at home – last home game of the season – celebrating Senior Night. The Warriors will face-off against the 2-6 Tygart’s Valley Bulldogs at Warrior Field at 7:30 p.m.
