“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” – Psalm 23
The compassionate spirit of Moorefield High School alumnus Jacob Metheny lives on within the hearts of all at Yellow Jacket Field.
Jacob Metheny was a member of the football staff serving as the athletic trainer and was the father of Yellow Jackets captain Edison Metheny.
Coach Metheny unexpectedly passed away on Friday and the game was moved to Monday as the team gathered together to endure this heartbreaking loss to the team and community, but his joyful spirit remains to be shared with us forever.
Jacob’s son Edison wears his jersey No. 44 as did his own father and that number will be cherished for years to come and it was also the current coach Eric Linville’s number creating a unique bond on the gridiron.
East Hardy won this year’s Hardy Bowl by a score of 34-27 and after a brief celebration, the Cougars showed tremendous sportsmanship by presenting the trophy to Edison Metheny.
It was a script out of heaven during the game as Metheny scored a touchdown with 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter wearing his father’s No. 44 and pointed to the sky to honor him.
“”It is hard, especially without my dad at the game. Since I was a young, I always wanted to wear the No. 44 to carry my dad’s legacy, because he cares about the No. 44 so much. I crossed the line and immediately saluted my dad and walked to the sideline and the coach said look at the scoreboard and it was at 44 and we both looked mat each other and he gave me a hug. It was a special moment. I couldn’t ask for nay better support. I have had calls and texts from the top of the state in Hancock to the bottom of the state. We have received so much food and love, the support is overwhelming and we appreciate it. This makes the whole thing a lot better,” Moorefield captain Edison Metheny commented.
This might just be a game, but it was full of spirit, joy and love.
Tears were flowing at the end of the Hardy Bowl, but these teams knew what mattered most and showed respect and honor for the memory of Jacob Metheny.
“We always are one community, aside from when it comes to sports. We like to butt heads a lot, sure. At the end of the day, when something like this happens, we came together,” East Hardy coach Devon Orndorff remarked.
“They came together with us when Josh Hahn passed away several years ago. We knew the right things to do. We have been praying for him all week. Our guys know him and our coaches know him. Hopefully, this is a little bit of a healing time.”
It was a close battle throughout the Hardy Bowl with the Cougars (7-0) pouncing for the initial lead at the 10:22 mark of the first quarter.
East Hardy quarterback Trevor Roof located Brinn Childers for a 63-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game and Mason Wilkins added the kick, 7-0.
The Yellow Jackets (4-3) answered within six plays to tie the Hardy Bowl at 7:25.
Moorefield’s Bill Lewis started the drive with a huge uncovering 30 yard to the Cougars 30.
Moorefield’s Keysean Washington finished the series with a five-yard touchdown run and Jackson Helmick added the kick.
East Hardy methodically worked into the red zone with plays by Trevor Roof and Nehemiah Graham.
The nine play possession resulted in a two-yard touchdown run by Graham as the Cougars regained the lead 14-7 at 3:49.
Moorefield’s Thomas Simmons made a big play into Cougars territory on the ensuing series.
The six play drive was capped off by Metheny converting a fourth down into a 30-yard touchdown keeper with 44 seconds on the clock, but the kick went awry for a 14-13 score.
Metheny pointed upwards on that touchdown as the fans cheered.
The Cougars faced fourth down near midfield to begin the second quarter and Metheny caught an interception.
The Yellow Jackets used 15 plays to find the end zone including a fourth down conversion to reach the red zone by Washington.
Moorefield’s Lewis scored a 12-yard touchdown run and Metheny added the conversion to give the Yellow Jackets a 21-14 advantage with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Moorefield’s defense did its best to keep the Cougars out of the end zone, but East Hardy wouldn’t be denied on that drive utilizing 14 plays and converting a fourth down on the edge of the red zone with 25 seconds left by Childers.
Childers made a 20-yard touchdown catch to close the gap to 21-20.
Moorefield punted on its first possession of the third quarter, then the Cougars missed a field goal.
Metheny covered 29 yards to reach midfield as the quarter came to a close.
An early fourth quarter touchdown for the Yellow Jackets was denied on a holding call, then Moorefield fumbled the ball away.
Graham scored on a 53-yard touchdown run and Roof added the conversion to give the Cougars a 28-21 edge at 11:16.
East Hardy’s Luke Holliday recovered the ensuing onside kick.
However, the Cougars would fumble the ball wayward three plays later with Moorefield’s Blake Snyder making the recovery.
The Cougars defense responded as Nick rooms burg made a huge sack on Metheny leading to a punt.
Eight plays later, East Hardy’s Graham scored from 17 yards out for a 34-21 lead with 2:36 to go.
One minute later, Moorefield’s Lewis found pay dirt for the final score of 34-27.
“Words can’t express whatt I have seen the last few days. How these boys don’t quit and stay tougher and love each other. We have a great thing here in Moorefield and East Hardy with the support. For him to score with 44 seconds left was so special. I can’t even write a story about this. Jacob was a big fullback like me and when I graduated, Jake took over the No. 44 and the fullback spot. As a football player graduating, you always want to know who gets your number nd that you number is represented well and I was lucky, I got a winner. I wouldn’t want anybody else other than Jake in that number. It is surreal. What he has done for us, Jake and I have been friends for 30 years. I will miss those conversations. His character here was outstanding. Jake was very special to a lot of people and his on is, too. Nobody wants to lose, but I don’t have that feeling tonight. They never quit and are a great group of kids coming together,” Moorefield coach Eric Linville stated.
The Yellow Jackets spirit never dwindled and the light of Metheny will live on – Forever 44.
The Yellow Jackets returned to the Hive against Keyser on Saturday for Homecoming, while East Hardy visited Pocahontas County on Friday.
