The Shadow
DUNMORE, W.Va. — In a four and a half minute blur, Pocahontas County took control.
The Warriors put up 21 points in the closing minutes of the first half on the way to a 41-6 win over Bath County here Friday night.
Up just 7-0, Pocahontas took advantage of a Charger fumble, scoring twice in 14 seconds and tacked on another score with six seconds left on the second quarter clock.
“We gave up 28 points in the second quarter; it just snowballed on us,” said BCHS coach Will Fields. “We had a fumble, we muffed a punt snap. Our margin for error is so slim this year, when we make errors it just kills us.”
The game was still manageable when Morgan Mason crashed in from the 3-yard line for a 14-0 lead with 4:35 left.
But the Warriors wasted little time after pouncing on a Charger fumble on the ensuing kickoff.
Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Workman, who was a perfect 5-for-5 in the air on the night, hit J.D. Hensler with a strike on the first snap for a 21-0 lead.
Following a three-and-out, the hosts then covered 63 yards in just over two minutes for the four-score halftime lead.
Bath County fought gamely after the break.
A six-minute drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters resulted in the lone points of the night for the Chargers.
Evan Essex converted a 4th-and-3 at midfield and Tanner Plecker hooked up with Keith Riley twice, both on third down plays that extended the drive.
Plecker carried 18 yards down the home sideline to the Warrior 1-yard-line and Austin Rose banged over from there.
“We can do things, but like I said, that margin for error is so small,” Fields added. “It is what it is. The kids are still playing hard and I’m still proud of them.”
The Chargers, who were stymied on 10 yards of offense and one first down in the first half, ended the night with 136 yards of total offense and nine first downs.
Sophomore Brandon Ryder was the top ground gainer with 70 yards on seven carries.
Pocahontas County totaled 393 yards of offense, with four different running backs going for over 50 yards.
Michael Morrison rushed for 69 yards, Dalton Irvine ran for 58 yards and Mason added another 54.
Workman rushed for 51 yards and added 121 yards passing and two touchdown throws.
“It’s a young bunch and they are just playing as hard as they can,” said Fields about his team, who dropped to 0-6 on the year. “They are working as hard as they can, they just can’t get a reward.”
The Chargers are off next week before opening Pioneer District play on October 17 at home against the James River Knights.
James River is 0-5 and hosts unbeaten Parry McCluer next Friday.
The priority in Hot Springs for the open week, getting healthy.
“We have a couple out and a couple nursing stuff,” Fields said. “Austin Rose played tonight with two separated shoulders, he’s got them pinned to the sides. Wesley Swartz, one of our defensive backs is out with a concussion.
“All kinds of guys just banged up. Hopefully, the open date we can heal a little bit, grow a little bit as a team and maybe we can get a district win in two weeks.”
