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PCMS Warriors forged through the mud and the muck to earn 177 offensive yards before they were cut down by the Lumberjacks in the final quarter of the game Thursday night in Richwood.

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Steady showers pattered the stands and drenched the field. Warrior fans huddled together against the chill, peering anxiously from their umbrellas. The coin was tossed upward through the mist and favored Richwood. The Lumberjacks deferred giving the ball to Pocahontas County. It was game time.

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Levisay kicked short for the Lumberjacks and the ball was received by Warrior Logan Mann on the 48 yard line. Warrior's offense stayed steady and alert keeping possession of the ball for most of the first quarter. A Warrior fumble early on was recovered by Mann who gave the Warrior's a first down. RB Cary Robertson and FB Stephen Simmons made several carries and the ball turned over on downs to Richwood late in the quarter. Lumberjacks began possession with a false start penalty followed by a fumble which was quickly snatched up by Warrior Zack Young. It was the end of the first quarter and Pochantas had reqained the ball. Young rounded out his game with a fumble recovery and five tackles.

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The second quarter opened deep in Lumberjack territory. With the help of Caleb Bennett and his offensive line,ﾠ Robertson ran six yards for the first Warrior TD. His attempt for a conversion was a success making the scoreﾠ 8 - 0. Mann kicked off to Richwood and the Warrior defense was on the prowl. Led by Mann and Chad Burns they held Richwood near the 49 yard line. Jordan Greathouse joined the pack and Simmons grabbed a Lumberjack fumble giving his team the ball. QB Braxton Rider and Robertson made two advance attempts and on third down Simmons ran 47 yards finding the second Warrior TD. Robertson provided the extra two points and the Warriors maintained their 16 - 0 lead. Warrior defense fought hard. DE Jimmy Campbell assisted Burns and Simmons in stopping several advances and Trey Walton brought Richwood down on the 22 yard line. With 1:20 seconds to go and the ball on the 10 yard line Levisay darted through and ran in the Lumberjack's first TD. Mallory gave them the conversion inching the score at the half to 16 - 8. Simmons gave his all with 64 yards rushing, eight carries, one TD, a fumble recovery and 11 tackles. Bennett finished with two tackles while Burns and Campbell tied with a hefty eight. Campbell also gained six yards with a kick-off return. Walton finished strong with seven tackles. Rider completed one of two passes including a 17 yard lateral pass to Robertson.

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The muddy field welcomed both teams back at the half. Lumberjack's had the ball and despite a united effort from the Warrior defense, Clevenger, on third down, ran 34 yards for the TD. Conversion was good. With 2:56 remaining in the third quarter the game was tied 16 - 16. TE Dalton Irvine took the Warriors to first down. Robertson kept the momentum and rushed the ball 32 yards grabbing the lead for the Warriors with a third TD. His conversion upped the score 24 - 16. Corner Shane Alderman was quick to strike for the defense and foil an advance. Determined, the Lumberjacks quickly responded with a 36 yard run and TD by Clevenger. The conversion was thwarted but Richwood remained on the Warriorsﾒ heels 24 - 22. Irvine and Alderman each helped the team with three tackles.

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Cory Duncan joined DT Nash Rose and the Warrior defense to start the final quarter. All hands were on deck in an effort to keep the Lumberjacks contained. Mann and Robertson made several stops and with 4:09 left in the game DE Chase Erlewine stopped an advance bringing the Lumberjacks to third and twelve. Lumberjacks soon advanced to second and goal and Levisay brought in the final TD of the night for Richwood. Lumberjacks had the lead 28 - 24.ﾠ With 51 seconds remaining the Lumberjacks regained possession and the game. Robertson led the team, rushing 96 yards, 16 carries, two TDs, three conversions and 11 tackles. Mann led the defense with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Rose contributed four tackles to the effort. Erlewine added three and Dilley one.

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Proud of his Warriors, Head Coach Doug Burns said, "This game was very similar to last week's. Richwood is very big up front and they have some strong backs. Again, we had the lead in the 4th quarter and just couldn't finish it off. You can't have turnovers late in the game when you are in a position to ice the game. I told our guys after the game, I don't believe in moral victories, but one thing about this team, people always respect them when they leave the field. We don't have the numbers, but these kids have a lot of fight in them and they will get after you for four quarters. The turning point of this game was the drive they had right before halftime. We were up 16-0 at that point and they put together a good drive and cut it to 16-8 right before half. That turned out to be the difference, because they outscored us 20-8 in the second half."

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Burns added, "One thing about it, we can't dwell on this one, we have a short week to get ready for Eastern Greenbrier on Wednesday."

Joining in the praise, Defensive Coordinator Elliot offered, "The game was a very physical, hardﾠ fought contest. Richwood is the overall strongest team we have played this year to date. Our guys stuck in the trenches the best they could and battled size, strength and the elements. It was a tough loss but were definately in the game and had a great chance to come away with the win. Everywhere we go teams trot out 35-45 players verses our same 18 that we dress. I am very proud of our 18 underdogs and I believe we fight and scrap with the best.ﾔ

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The Warriors take on East Greenbrier Wednesday, October 6,at Pochahontas County High School. Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m.

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