Mitchell B. Koerber
Student Sports Journalist
Friday Night was Senior Night and what a night it was as the Pocahontas County High School Warriors completely dominated the Tygarts Valley Bulldogs.
Many significant plays were conducted throughout the entirety of the game that would make the crowd go wild and keep them on the edge of their seats.
The excitement began with Junior, #5 Haydon Moore running for a 9-yard TD with 9:41 remaining in the first quarter with QB Delair running in the 2-pt conversion.
The Warriors never looked back. They found the endzone again with Moore completing a touchdown pass to Sophomore, #3 Morgan Beverage from the 10-yard line with 3:40 remaining in the first half. The score was16-14 after a successful 2-point conversion by Moore. The Bulldogs would attempt a scoring drive before the end of the half; however their plans were foiled when Moore intercepted the Bulldog quarterback at their own 36-yard line and ran it down to the Bulldogs 27-yard line with only two seconds left in the half.
After halftime, the Warriors continued their domination. Moore ran up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown with 9:28 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs had no answer for the Warrior offense and could not shut them down. Moore would find the endzone for a third time after a 21-yard run with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The wealth was spread among the entire team as Sophomore, #34 Austin Price completed a 16-yard touchdown pass with 3:14 in the third, bringing the Warrior lead to 34-14. The quarterback then handed off to Senior, #71 DJ Wilfong, who ran it two yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Price would cap off the night with a 10-yard touchdown run, making the final score 47-20.
After the game, Moore was asked about his stellar night.
“First, I want to thank the line for blocking like they did,” he said. “They were all on the same page and getting me to put points on the board for us first, which really gave us the momentum through the whole game.
“We came into the game knowing we had to execute, and we came out with a W like we deserved. Like Coach Doug said, we got to be the hammer, and not the nail and we did just that.”
Senior athletes from Football, Cheer, Golf and Band were recognized during halftime with parents and guardians by their side as they received gifts and stated their intentions for the future. What an experience for the Seniors as this would be their last home football game.
After the game, Coach Dennis Wilfong took the Seniors out to the field for a new tradition—Senior Walk. Coach Wilfong explained to them the importance of their last experience playing on Warrior Field under the Friday night lights. Seniors Caleb Ritter, DJ Wilfong, Landon Hebb and Devon Burgess walked from one goal post to the next, reflecting on their four years playing football. No one else was allowed on the field during that time.
The Warriors will travel to Webster County Friday, November 8, for their final game of the season. The address is 1 Highlander Drive in Upperglade.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm.
The PCHS cheerleaders will not be in attendance at this game as they will travel to Lincoln High School at 100 Jerry Toth Drive in Shinnston for Region 2 Cheer Competition. The Warrior Cheerleaders will perform at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 9, for any fans who would like to be there to support them.
