It was time for fans to grab popcorn for an epic annual Burke and Herbert Bank Backyard Brawl at Yellow Jacket Field and the fans got their money’s worth in a topsy turvy battle for the little brown jug trophy.
It took everything and the kitchen sink for the Vikings to retain the little brown jug in a whirlwind affair against the Yellow Jackets.
A double rainbow graced the field as the Backyard Brawl was set to begin, but the rainfall wasn’t over for the gridiron battle.
Petersburg struck first, then Moorefield commandeered a 29-17 halftime advantage. The Vikings rallied to regain the lead with eight minutes left, but that only lasted two minutes as the Yellow Jackets stung back. Petersburg found a way to make the final blow with a minute and change remaining before denying a last second push in the red zone to secure the little brown jug.
Petersburg commenced the game on its own 35-yard line with QB Payton Metheny connecting to Evan Tawney on a 20 yard sequence entering Yellow Jackets territory where cousin Edison Metheny made the stop.
Petersburg’s Parker Metheny moved the chains on a 14 yard run into the red zone.
The Vikings grabbed first and goal prior to a sack by Moorefield’s Gage Baker and two errant throws to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Payton Metheny at 7:50.
Moorefield punted on its first possession, despite two Vikings penalties as a fumble and sack by Landon Wratchford spelled doom.
The Vikings moved into Moorefield domain again, but this time coughed up the ball as Blake Snyder made the fumble recovery.
A six play drive for the Yellow Jackets was capped off with a 36-yard touchdown run by Edison Metheny for a 6-3 edge with 1:11 left in the first stanza.
The Vikings went back ahead two plays later as Parker Metheny caught a 53-yard pass from his brother Payton who would add the kick for a 10-6 lead (0:16).
The Yellow Jackets started the second quarter with the help of pass interference to move the chains at the 40.
Facing fourth down, Moorefield QB Matthew Iman dashed 52 yards for a touchdown and a 12-10 lead at 9:30.
There was a wicked hop on the onside kick with Moorefield’s Edison Metheny corralling the ball.
The Yellow Jackets marched deep into the red zone before a turnover on downs.
Petersburg had a snap go awry and sailed above Metheny into the end zone and rolled out the back for a Moorefield safety, 14-10 at 3:56.
Moorefield’s Edison Metheny rushed 30 yards to the Vikings 26-yard line and moved the chains on the next carry to the 16.
Three plays later, Iman plowed through the defense like a bowling ball for a 13-yard touchdown and Levi Davis added the kick for a 21-10 lead with 1:02 remaining in the half.
Parker Metheny returned the kickoff to the house as the Vikings sliced the gap to 21-17 at 0:46.
Moorefield started the next possession inside Vikings territory after a return by Edison Metheny.
Iman converted third down on a 12-yard scramble to the 29.
Moorefield’s Thomas Simmons made a 15-yard sideline catch and forced out of bounds with eight seconds left at the 14.
Two plays later, Iman scored from seven yards out and Thomas Simmons snatched the conversion for a 28-17 halftime lead for the Yellow Jackets.
The Burke and Herbert Backyard Brawl little brown jug trophy was waiting to be hoisted up, but there was a whole half remaining.
The Yellow Jackets began the third quarter buzzing nine plays into the red zone coming up inches short for a turnover on downs.
A catch by Parker Metheny, plus a personal foul put the Vikings into Moorefield territory at the 36.
Petersburg faced fourth and goal from the one yard line after a false start and stops by Baker and Iman with Payton Metheny diving towards the end zone and losing grip out of play.
The Metheny brothers connection and conversion by Payton cut the deficit to 29-25 at 2:19.
Petersburg’s Andrew Ault recovered the onside kick.
Payton Metheny moved the chains at the edge of the red zone before a fumble on a reverse was saved by the Vikings.
Thomas Simmons made two big tackles forcing a fourth down for the Vikings to start the final stanza.
Edison Metheny deflected the fourth down pass for a turnover on downs.
Two big holding penalties on huge plays for the Yellow Jackets resulted in a punt.
Evan Tawney gave Petersburg the lead on a 43-yard touchdown catch and the Metheny kick made it 32-29 with 8:12 remaining.
Moorefield’s Edison Metheny dodged tackles for a 26-yard gain entering Vikings territory.
Moorefield kept the momentum going as Bill Lewis rushed for a dozen yards slamming through a group of defenders.
Iman plowed ahead for another first down covering 11 yards to the 24.
Three plays later, Lewis hit pay dirt from one yard out to regain the lead 35-32 with 5:52 to go, but there was a fumble on the conversion attempt.
The Vikings got into Moorefield domain before a sack by Baker.
Two passes went awry with a great defensive play by Zakk Keplinger.
Petersburg’s Ryder Nazelrodt converted a fourth down on a 20-yard catch.
After a false start and a sack by Moorefield’s Dakon Taylor it looked like the Vikings night would be over.
However, during that sack a personal foul face mask penalty was assessed to give Petersburg new life and a fresh set of downs in the red zone with just 1:19 left.
Parker Metheny caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from his brother, who added the kick for a 39-35 advantage at 1:12.
“The keys were stopping the run and getting our passing game going. We came out and just didn’t want to give up [2nd half]. We put our foot forward with 110 percent gas no matter the score and no matter the time. We wanted it and ended up on top. We started off with a rough season and getting on a win streak, especially with Moorefield is nice. We were more thirsty for this win,” Petersburg QB Payton Metheny commented.
Moorefield picked up a huge first down on a run by Iman covering 22 yards to the Vikings 31-yard line with 40 seconds to go.
After a holding call, Iman rushed nine yards.
Iman located Jackson Helmick for a tip-toe sideline catch spanning 24 yards placing the Yellow Jackets at the six yard line.
The Vikings stopped the next run and the Moorefield offense raced to setup a spike before time expired.
The Vikings thought they had won and fans rushed the field, but there was 2.7 seconds added to the clock.
The Vikings defense closed in on Iman and wrapped him up with a desperate heave landing on the gridiron and this time Petersburg celebrated with the fans coming back out.
“I’m always proud of their effort. We just made way too many mental mistakes. Part of that is because we have a lot of new faces in a lot of new places. Just have to fix it,” Moorefield coach Eric Linville remarked.
The Vikings kept the Backyard Brawl bragging rights for another season 39-35.
“It was a well fought game on both sides of the ball. Our kids didn’t give up and kept battling. I am not from around here, but winning this Backyard Brawl means everything. We needed this win. I just wish this little brown jug had moonshine or bourbon in it,” Petersburg coach Shane Shockey concluded.
