By Jerrod McGann
Hampshire Review
Following a tough outing last week, the 1-1 Hampshire football team was back out at Rannells Field on Friday, Sept. 11 for Hall of Fame night to face off against the 1-1 Moorefield Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets were riding a bit of momentum following their upset victory over Elkins.
The first quarter was a back and forth defensive affair as both teams traded fumbles on their opening offensive possessions as the frame wound down. That was, until Moorefield broke through with 3 minutes remaining on fourth down and put up the first points of the game on a 17-yard run by Bill Lewis. A missed extra point kept the game at a 6-0 Yellow Jacket advantage.
The score remained the same entering the second quarter, but Moorefield was threatening as they entered Hampshire territory on their 25-yard line. The Trojans held the line for as long as they could, but with 9:20 left in the half, Moorefield scored once again on a keeper by Matthew Iman from nine yards out, this time converting a 2-point conversion (Iman) and extending their lead up to 14-0 in the 2nd quarter.
Hampshire got down the field and were in Yellow Jacket territory in hopes of getting their first points of the game, but a costly interception by Edison Metheny gave Moorefield the ball back with eight minutes left in the 2nd quarter. Eventually, the Yellow Jackets broke free as Metheny ran right down the field 85 yards for their third score of the game, extending their dominant lead out to 21-0 with 5:49 left in the half (Jackson Helmick kick).
Moorefield continued to pour it on as they scored another touchdown with 4:43 left on Iman’s 77-yard keeper and pushed their lead out to 27-0 after a blocked extra point attempt.
They weren’t finished there, as another interception (Metheny) and quick drive down the field ended up in another Moorefield touchdown (Metheny 43-yard catch) and 2-point conversion (Iman) for a 35-0 advantage with 1 minute left before the halftime break.
Moorefield found the end zone once again for a 42-0 lead on Iman’s 16 yard run, but Hampshire fought until the very end and Ayden Blomquist found the end zone for the Trojans’ only points of the night. Paired with a Roscoe Dean 2-point conversion, HHS cut the lead down to 42-8 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.
As a team, Moorefield rushed for 472 yards on 50 combined carries throughout their offense. They also completed 5 passes for 83 yards, totaling 555 yards of offense against the Trojan defense.
Hampshire was able to post 199 total yards of offense, 101 with the rushing game and 98 through the air.
Editor’s Note:
“Playing on 9/11 is a good way to remember all those that lost their lives that tragic day. Through all of the tragedy, there are so many accounts of bravery from civilians, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS. And let’s not forget all of those that served in our great military during that time and the years to follow. Through all of it, I can’t remember a time when our country was as unified as we were then. Just Americans loving Americans. I mean, the Patriots won the Super Bowl!!!,” Moorefield Football coach Eric Linville commented.
“That’s why I love this group of guys I have. They don’t care about the outside noise, race, religion, politics or names. Just Yellowjackets loving Yellowjackets. They all hang out together, work hard together, play together, laugh together, cry together.
We know every game is either a win or a loss. Regardless of the outcome on Fridays, we hit the reset button on Monday and go back to work to get better for the next game. We have leadership from all classes. I was worried about that coming into the season but, man, some guys have really stepped up.
Iman, Flinn, Lewis and Metheny totaled 475yds on the ground behind an OL that gets better daily. I told them we would go as far this season as the OL takes us. Metheny was all over the place Friday. On defense he had 3INT 1FUMREC 4TCKs and 1PASDEFL. On offense he had and a 47yd rec TD. Iman led all rushers with 195yds 3TD.”
