By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
Never Forget.
It was a solemn game day in Parsons as the Cougars emerged victorious 43-14 on Patriot Day.
East Hardy joined Tucker County in honoring the memory of lives lost 25 years ago in one of the most tragic events in our nation’s history.
“It just reminds us how lucky we are and blessed to live in a country where we can band together when tragedy strikes like that. I was very young when that happened, but I still remember watching it on TV. I remember President George Bush throwing the first pitch out at the next baseball game which was a month or so afterwards. It was like the first sense of normalcy and we all take that for granted everyday. We get to wake up and enjoy our lives and that’s not how many other countries function. I am proud we can play the sport we love and have fun in this atmosphere. It is humbling,” East Hardy coach Orndorff commented.
These players weren’t born yet, but know the history and understood the assignment of compassion knowledge of our country’s fortitude and unification on this day of remembrance.
The teams entered the field proudly carrying the American flag and a moment of silence came over the stadium.
After wiping away the tears, it was time for the teams to take the gridiron in battle.
“Those people lost family members. Over 200 firefighters died, a lot of people died. God blessed those people. The person who took over the plane in Pennsylvania, his last words were ‘Let’s Roll’. Let’s Roll throughout the season. I pray for all those families and people lost on that day,” East Hardy’s Nehemiah Graham remarked.
East Hardy conquered the Mountain Lions 43-14, a win several years in the making.
The Cougars swiftly pounced on the opening kickoff with a touchdown return by Nehemiah Graham making the Mountain Lions see stars in his wake for a 6-0 edge.
“It was special. I felt like the first play of the game, we needed to hit them in the mouth to set the tone and show them what we came in here for, setting a statement,” Graham noted.
“The energy was good. We were a little sloppy in the middle and that is something we will work on in practice. I had my mistakes and I am not perfect by any means, so I have stuff to work on and the team does in order to be great. We dug deep and kept driving them back.”
Tucker County responded marching down the field to corral an 8-6 lead on Cade Rapp’s score.
East Hardy was up to the challenge and fought back down the gridiron striking pay dirt with a move by quarterback Trevor Roof to regain the lead 14-8.
The Mountain Lions slashed deep into the red zone, but East Hardy’s defense thwarted the attack with a goal line stand.
Roof connected with Graham into Mountain Lions domain, however, Tucker County’s Branson Hyre jarred the ball loose on the open field tackle and it was recovered by teammate Evan Witt to kill that drive.
The Cougars defense was up to the task and forced a turnover on downs.
East Hardy worked methodically to get into the red zone and Roof capped off the series with a 10-yard touchdown keeper with 3:33 remaining in the first half and added the conversion for a 22-8 advantage.
Tucker County refused to go down quietly.
Hyre fired towards the sideline to Evan Hexom, who dashed 65 yards and was tracked down on a touchdown saving tackle by East Hardy’s Brinn Childers at the five.
Hyre punched the ball into the end zone from a yard away, then the Cougars’ Mason Wilkins denied the conversion closing the gap to 22-14 with 1:23 to go.
“I thought we needed more energy. We came out flat. We had good execution on that opening return by Nehemiah and that should have set us up for the rest of the game to roll. We came out flat defensively and maybe thought they would lie down for us, but as a coaching staff we knew better and that it is always a tough game up here. We had too many penalties and mistakes in the first half. Luckily, we had a great two minute drive to take that advantage, otherwise we are losing that game going into halftime. I felt like we were the better team and it showed in the second half, but we need to execute from the start and all the way through,” Coach Orndorff added.
East Hardy’s Dayton Dove returned the kickoff to the 40, then caught a pass from Roof to move the chains in Mountain Lions territory at the 46.
Roof added nine yards on the ground..
Dove juked two defenders on the ensuing route and was wide open for a pass from Roof and cruised into the end zone on the 37-yard strike with 32 seconds remaining and Wilkins added the kick for a 29-14 lead going into halftime.
Tucker County managed just one first down on the opening possession of the third quarter.
East Hardy’s Elijah Ludwig made several tackles and Childrs slammed own ar eco ever to force fourth down.
The Mountain Lions went for it and Dove nearly picked off the throw as the Cougars took over on downs.
East Hardy had short field position and Graham took a pitch for 10 yards, then Roof entered the red zone in an 18 yard scamper to the 10.
Graham capped off the drive on a 10-yard run for a 35-14 lead at 7:46.
Hyre made spin moves to avoid initial tackles, then Dove ripped the ball out and recovery made for the Cougars.
East Hardy didn’t take advantage of the good field position this time around and had a turnover on downs.
Tucker County’s Cade Rapp eluded the Cougars’ grasp before being hauled down by Nick Roomsburg at midfield.
The Cougars forced a couple fumbles, but Tucker County maintained control.
Roof and Ludwig made a slamming take to end the third quarter on fourth down, but the catch by Witt was enough for a first down.
The Mountain Lions reached the red zone, but couldn’t find the end zone as the Cougars defense clawed back with stops by Angelo Loulis and Connor Henderson forcing a turnover on downs at 10:19 in the final stanza.
Rapp made a sack to back East Hardy to the nine yard line.
Roof located Childers wide open for an 89-yard touchdown reception and Dove made a diving conversion catch to extend the lead to 43-14 with 8:33 left.
“It means a lot to play for everybody and to give back on this day in their memory. I was stoked for Nehemiah getting that big return to start the game. We have had big success scoring on special teams two weeks in a row. I just looked at the defense and found the open guy. Our defense is great and kept making plays. I hope we keep getting better. That was the first time I have ever beaten Tucker County and Ioved every minute of it,” East Hardy’s Trevor Roof stated.
Tucker County moved deep into Cougars territory, however, Childers made an interception in the end zone.
East Hardy picked up two first downs and took victory formation kneeling down the last three plays to seal the 43-14 victory on Patriot Day.
The Cougars have a bye week this week.
