Aaron Pugh
Contributing Writer
The Pocahontas County High School Warriors hosted the Tygarts Valley Bulldogs after having their match against Summers County cancelled the previous week due to COVID-19.
However, the embattled Warriors were not able to pull off an upset against the talented Bulldogs.
The first quarter was a defensive battle between the two teams with no points scored. But in the second, the Bulldogs were able to squeeze in back-to-back touchdowns as #30 Daniel White scored on an 18 yard run; followed by #2 Joshua Bright connecting with #81 Aiden Row for a 20 yard touchdown pass. Both kicks by #20 Liam Depp were good.
Score at halftime 14-0 Bulldogs.
The third quarter was another defensive struggle with no points scored. But, early in the fourth quarter, senior QB #10 Keaton Baldwin connected with junior RB #1 Cash Keating on a screen play that he ran for a 36 yard touchdown; point after kick by senior #14 Jacob Davis was good.
Score 14-7 Bulldogs.
The momentum was about to swing back in favor of the Bulldogs. On the following kickoff, Davis’ kick was returned 65 yards by Aiden Row for a touchdown; point after by Depp was blocked.
Score 20-7 Bulldogs.
The Warriors struck back as Baldwin connected with Davis for a 41 yard touchdown; Davis’ kick after was good.
Score 20-14 Bulldogs.
The final minutes saw a breakdown in the Warriors’ will, as #30 Daniel White managed to get an 81 yard touchdown; point after by Depp was blocked.
The Warriors were unable to rally on the ensuing offensive series and close the gap again. Late in the fourth, #7 Caden Boggs racked up another score for the Bulldogs from 20 yards out; point after good.
Final score 33-14 Bulldogs.
The Warriors managed a respectable 248 yards of offense, but allowed the Bulldogs 359. The Warriors had 142 yards in the air and 106 on the ground. Leading on the ground was Baldwin with 19 attempts for 73 yards; Keating had 7 for 22 yards; senior Wide Receiver #8 Haiden Gladwell had 3 for 7 yards; freshman H-Back #44 Bransen Gordan chocked up 1 for 2 yards; and senior #24 Logan Ryder had 1 for 2 yards.
In the air, Baldwin had a solid night with 11 of his 19 attempts completed, throwing for 142 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. On the receiving end were Davis with 5 for 79 yards and a touchdown; Keating with 1 for 39 yards and a touchdown; Gladwell with 4 for 21 yards; and junior #4 Frankie Burgess with 1 for 6 yards.
The Warriors will finish their Varsity season hosting the Midland Trail Minutemen on November 6 at PCHS.
JV Update
The Warrior JV team traveled to Mill Creek and took a swipe at the Bulldogs on November 2. Echoing the effort of the Varsity, the JV lost a near match 20-14 against the Tygarts Valley JV unit. The Warrior JV team will play its final game of the season, November 9 against Pendleton County.
