Mitchell B. Koerber
Student Sports Journalist
After the first heartbreak of a game for Pocahontas County High School, the Warriors entered the home turf of Meadow Bridge and had a close, yet rough, fight with the Wildcats. Although losing 26 – 18, there were many pros hidden inside the con.
A missed tackle in the first play of the game allowed the Wildcats to jump to an early 8-0 lead. Then, on offense, junior, #5, Haydon Moore broke out impressive runs for 21 yards, 14 yards and 12 yards. The Warriors’ attack was in full swing, picking up two consecutive first downs. Unfortunately, the drive stalled on the Wildcats 30-yard line. On defense, the Warriors stood strong recovering a fumble at their own 30-yard line. The turnover did not result in any points however, as the Warriors were forced to punt. Pocahontas County gave up their second big run of the night when Wildcat running back Kaiden Sims exploded for a gut wrenching 90-yard scramble to the end zone (Sims would end the night running for 304 yards). The Warriors denied Meadow Bridge the 2-point conversion and headed into the locker room at the half trailing 14-0.
After half-time Haydon Moore would make the Wildcats pay. As Meadow Bridge kicked the ball off to Pocahontas County, Moore, from his own 25-yard line bobbled the ball but quickly picked it up and hurried to the center of the field. The Warriors’ kick return team created a seam for him and he was off to the races. Moore would return the kick for 65-yards and a touchdown. On the night, Moore ran the ball a total of 17 times for 95 yards. He was instrumental in the passing game as well with four receptions for 56-yards with one of his catches putting the Warriors in scoring position on the Wildcats’ 10-yard line. Moore would finish the night with a total of 216 all-purpose yards and two Warrior touchdowns.
“We started off a little slow but we all got together at halftime and stepped up and made plays to change the game,” Moore said later. “I wouldn’t have had the yards that I had, or made the plays that I did, without the help of my teammates.”
Another standout player, number 4, senior Devon Burgess, would repeat his performance from last week. He would go on to have a total of three passes totaling 108 yards with an impressive touchdown catch for 64 yards that got the Warriors back into the game.
Sophomore quarterback Gavin Delair connected on nine of 19 passes for 176 yards. He scrambled out on two plays during crucial points of the game that gave the Warriors first downs both times. The runs kept the Warriors in the game.
Pocahontas County is home for a Saturday game September 14 against the 1-1 Sherman Tide. Kickoff for the game is at 1:30 p.m. at Warrior Field.
