Dawn Workman
Contributing Writer
The weather wasn’t great, but the Pocahontas County High School Warriors did not let a little rain get in the way of a great performance Friday night – which was also Senior night for the team and the PCHS band.
The Warriors were outstanding on both offense and defense against the Richwood Lumberjacks.
The Lumberjacks’ offense started the game, but Warrior kicker Drake Warder put the jacks deep into Warrior territory and the Warrior defense was relentless, forcing the Lumberjacks to punt. That punt was blocked by DT Danny Kimble, putting the Warriors in great field position.
The Warriors scored on their first offensive drive with a five-year touchdown pass from QB Wyatt Workman to WR Dalton Irvin. Warrior kicker J. D. Hensler added the extra point and the Warriors never looked back.
The Lumberjacks tried to get some offense going, but DB Tyler Owens intercepted a pass on the 38-yard line, and the Warriors capitalized on this turnover with a 38-yard pass from Workman to Hensler. The extra point was good, and the Warriors were up, 14 – 0.
The Lumberjacks’ offense was again shut down by the Warriors, forcing a punt which Irvine returned to the Lumberjacks’ 26-yard line. Workman’s hand-off to RB Morgan Mason resulted in in a 26-yard run into the end zone. Hensler added the extra point, bringing the score to 21-0.
The Lumberjacks again tried to get its offense going, but were not successful and had to punt. Mason blocked the punt, and the Warriors took over the ball on the 14-yard line.
Workman connected with Owens for another TD for the Warriors. Hensler put the ball through the uprights, ending the first quarter with a score of 28 – 0.
The Warriors continued to be aggressive in the second half – on both sides of the ball.
Hensler returned a Lumberjack punt for a 58-yard TD, and added the extra point, pushing the score to 35 – 0.
The Lumberjack offense made some gains, but had to punt again to an eager and ready punt return team of Warriors.
The Warriors took over on their own 22-yard line, and a 17-yard pass from Workman to WR Cade Walker sent the Warriors marching down the field to the end zone, courtesy of a 61-yard rush by RB Dalton Irvine. Hensler added the extra point and the Warriors moved up, 42 – 0.
Two more TDS were added in the second quarter – one, a 65-yard rush by Walker, and the other, a 22-yard rush by Chase Erlewine. Hensler finished the night with a 100 percent PAT.
The game slowed in the second half with neither team allowing trips to the end zone.
The Warriors are 3 – 2 for the season and are looking to gain another win at Bath County, Virginia, Friday night when the Warriors take on the Chargers. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Bath County High School football stadium.
