Pocahontas County Middle School Warriors piled up 349 offensive yards - keeping the Bulldogs to 185 - and claimed their third consecutive win.

"These guys continue to work hard and improve each week. They went out tonight and took it to a good football team," said Coach Doug Burns. "I thought we played with intensity and emotion right from the start."

It was the PCMS Warrior's Homecoming and their last home game of the season. Fans flooded the stands, eager for the opportunity to catch these young Warriors in action. Last week, they kept fans on the edge of their seats by surpassing Richwood with a TD pass play in the final 18 seconds of the game. The word ﾑdisappoint' just doesn't appear to be in this team's vocabulary.

A fumble after kickoff proved a bad omen for the Bulldogs. Danny Kimble recovered for the Warriors and TB Cade Walker drove the ball 33 yards for the TD and followed it with the two-point conversion. The Warriors continued at this pace, scoring during nearly every offense of the game.
"Our defense pretty much shut down their running attack and forced three turnovers in the first half," claimed Burns.

"Offensively, I thought our guys really stepped it up and made plays. We were able to score on our first four possessions."
Pressure from Drake Warder interrupted the Bulldog's next pass play and the ball eventually turned over on downs. FB Chase Erlewine took the Warriors to first down and QB Wyatt Workman set his aim for TE Dalton Irvine who completed his 15-yard pass for the second Warrior TD. Walker ran in the two point conversion. Early in the half, Warriors led Tygarts Valley by 16.
Justin Hendrick deflected the Bulldog's next pass attempt. A second pass, thwarted by Ryan Dilley, Tyler Owens and Walker, took them to 1st down but Mason crushed their next drive with a sack. An interception by Chad Friel gave the ball back to Workman who sailed it 18 yards to Mason for a Warrior first down. Walker drove for two more first downs allowing Workman to once again find Irvine near the end-zone who completed the 26 yard pass for the third Warrior TD. Walker completed the PAT.

Tygarts Valley broke contain twice before the half. A Bulldog 45 yard TD run was answered by Workman who ran a series of pass plays. One found Walker for a 19 yard gain and another sailed 37 yards to the end-zone and fell into the hands of Owens for the fourth Warrior TD.

Jacob Walton helped put the stop on the Bulldogs next series. Later, they broke free and rushed in their second TD. The Warrior ball turned over on downs but a Bulldog fumble was recovered by Erlewine just before the half. Tygarts Valley trailed Pocahontas 30 - 14.

Warrior Logan Davis opened the second half with a 20 yard kick return. Erlewine took control, rushing 35 yards for a first down and then driving 20 more to claim the fifth Pocahontas TD. A Bulldog fumble recovered by Mason was later taken 35 yards down field by Walker for yet another Warrior TD. Erlewine and Walker held the Bulldogs to a six-yard gain and Irvine sacked them for a loss.

Tommy Gruelick paved the way for Walker to take Pocahontas to first down while Caleb Mullanex and Conlin Halterman helped Warrior Trey Walton follow suit with a second and a third first down. On his second drive, Erlewine zipped 20 yards to the goal line, bringing in the seventh and final Warrior TD of the night.

J.D. Hensler and Ryan Irvine joined Keith Harrah were on the defense for Pocahontas. Tygarts Valley fought hard to catch up and grabbed two more TD's. The first was a 38 yard run. Warder later stopped them for a loss while Dylan Riffey helped Levi Ryder and Walton hold them without gain on their next play. Kyle Lester assisted Andy Sipe, Trevor McPeak and Travis Paulowski in the fight but, Tygarts Valley broke free on the next drive with a 54-yard run, earning their final TD of the night. Despite the Bulldog's effort, Warriors claimed victory, 48 - 26.

"We got a little complacent towards the latter part of the second quarter, but were able to turn it back on, and never looked back," Burns said. "It was good to get everyone in the game there in the fourth quarter."

An unstoppable duo: Walker and Erlewine, finished strong. Walker claimed 19 carries for 144 yards, two TD's, two receptions, three PAT's and 4 tackles. Erlewine claimed seven carries for 82 yards, two TD's, a fumble recovery and four tackles. Workman showcased his aim by throwing three TD passes. He completed six of eight for 115 yards. Irvine received two of those passes for two TD's and 41 yards. Defensively, he had three tackles and one sack. Owens received the other, a 37 yard pass for a TD.

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