Coming off one of their most exciting victories of the season, the Covington Cougars headed to Buena Vista last night for a Pioneer District meeting with the Parry McCluer Fighting Blues.
On paper, the game between the Cougars and Fighting Blues was set to be the game of the week.
Last night the Fighting Blues delivered the Cougars their worst loss of the season, 35-6.
However, the final score has an asterisk to it as the game ended with 6:35 left in the third quarter when injuries prevented the Cougars from finishing the game.
We’ll dive into the game in a bit, but it’s hard to judge how the game would wind up playing out.
Despite the score, the Cougars put together several great drives in the game, but unfortunately, penalties were not their friend last night.
The Cougars committed seven penalties (all coming in the first half) in their loss last night. Most of them came as the team was driving into the Fighting Blues territory.
There was also one very big problem for the Cougars had the game continued on, solving Fighting Blues junior running back, John Snider IV.
Snider ran all over the Cougars and finished the game with 308 total yards. Snider rushed for 288 yards on 22 carries and had one reception for 20 yards. Most notably, each Fighting Blues touchdown came from Snider.
Of the 14 first downs the Fighting Blues had, Snider guided them to 11 of them. As you can see he was a problem all night for the Cougars.
Those stats for Snider were just from the first half and one offensive drive in the second half.
Although, the Purcel Turner did force Snider to commit a turnover in the second half as he was able strip the ball away from Snider after a 20 yard rush. Turner proceeded to run the ball back 73 yards for the touchdown. It was the only time the Cougars were able to get on the scoreboard.
Grant it, what followed the next drive for the Fighting Blues was three rushing plays from Snider and a touchdown.
You just don’t know how the game could of ended up playing out and it is unfortunate for the Cougars as the team outside of some costly penalties, did a good job of getting the ball into their opponents territory last night. The penalties just took them out of the game.
The Cougars entered the day ranked fourth place in the Region 1C playoff rankings. The loss will more than likely slide them down a few spots as the team fell to 3-3 overall on the season and 2-1 in district play.
For the Fighting Blues, the team improved its overall winning record to 5-3 and 3-0 in the district.
Despite the loss, the Cougars grabbed quality play from Turner, who for the second week in a row had a defensive touchdown. Turner also had one reception for 12 yards.
Quarterback Javier Yancy finished the game with 33 yards passing (3-for-8) along with an interception. Yancy also had 29 yards rushing on six attempts.
Dontai Samuels chipped in with 21 yards rushing and 21 yards receiving on two receptions.
Let’s recap the game.
It didn’t take long for the Fighting Blues to jump on the scoreboard.
After receiving the ball to start the game, the Fighting Blues grabbed a 49 yard kickoff return that was brought into Cougars territory.
Five plays, two minutes later, the Fighting Blues were on the scoreboard after a three yard rushing touchdown from Snider. The Fighting Blues elected to go for the two point conversion and were successful as Snider ran the ball straight up the middle to give the Fighting Blues an 8-0 lead.
On the Cougars first possession of offense, the kick return game brought the ball to midfield.
With great starting position, the offense was stuffed on its first two plays, losing two yards in the process.
After Samuels was tackled for no gain on second down, the Fighting Blues overly excited for the tackle, were hit with two unsportsmanlike penalties. The ball was moved onto the Fighting Blues 20 yard line.
Here you’re thinking, last week against Narrows, Narrows scored on their first drive while needing only three plays and the Cougars came back two drives later to take the lead. Unfortunately, not the case here, as despite having the ball on their opponents 20 yard line, the Cougars were hit with back to back penalties, bringing the ball back out to the 30 yard line.
On first down, Yancy scrambled to avoid a sack, but was eventually brought down for a five yard loss. The ball was now spotted on the 35 yard line on second down. Yancy scrambled on second down and ran 24 yards, but play was called back as their was a hold on the Cougars.
After having the ball on the 20 yard, the team was facing a third-and-35 from the 45 yard line. Yancy threw an incomplete pass to force the offense to the sidelines.
On the ensuing punt, Jalen Mitchell fielder the punt return at the 15 yard line and returned it 82 yards, all the way to the Cougars three yard line. One play later and Snider was in the end zone for his second score of the game. The Fighting Blues, again went for the two point try, but were unsuccessful the second time around.
With a 14-0 lead, the Fighting Blues defense sent the Cougars offense to a three-and-out. With the ball at their own three yard line, the Fighting Blues, mainly Snider, drove the team down the field 97 yards (87 of those yards coming from Snider), for another score. This one resulting in a 20 yard screen pass to Snider. It was Sniders lone catch of the game and his third touchdown. The Fighting Blues went for the two point try once more and were successful as Mitchell found the end zone to give the Fighting Blues a 22-0 lead.
With just a few minutes left before halftime, the Fighting Blues went from their 17 yard line to the end zone on seven plays. 79 of those yards coming from who else, Snider as he rushed into the end zone from three yards out for his third rushing touchdown and his fourth total touchdown in the game to give the Fighting Blues a 28-0 lead. The teams extra point try was no good.
Trailing by 28 points, the Cougars came out from the locker room poised to turn things around.
The team got a 25 yard kick return from Turner to set the offense up well at their own 47 yard line. Three plays later, the team was three-and-out and were forced to punt once again.
After back to back rushes of 20+ yards, Snider was finally stopped as Turner ripped the ball away from Snider and ran it back 73 yards for the Cougars lone touchdown of the game. Chadwick Tacy’s extra point however, was blocked.
Snider not too happy with himself with losing the ball on his offenses previous drive, let it be known how frustrated he was. With the ball on their 35 yard line, Snider needed only three plays and 65 yards to get back into the end zone for the fifth time in the game. The teams extra point was good, which gave the Fighting Blues a 35-6 lead.
On the Cougars final drive of the game before the games stoppage, Yancy threw his fourth interception of the season. The teams drive lasted its fewest in the game and in the previous three games, one play.
Up next for the Cougars is finally a return trip back home to Boodie Albert Stadium at Casey Field next Friday when they host the Eastern Montgomery Mustangs. The Mustangs are coming off of a 32 point loss (46-14) to Narrows last night.
The team has not played at home since their 34-32 loss to James River (Buchanan) on September 17th.
Team/Quarter/Pts/Total
CHS 0 0 6 / = 6
PMHS 22 6 7 / = 35
Scoring Plays
First Quarter – Snider 3yd rushing TD (two point try successful), 8-0, 9:23
First Quarter – Snider 3yd rushing TD (two point try unsuccessful), 14-0, 5:33
First Quarter – Snider 20yd reception TD (two point try successful), 22-0, 0:00
Second Quarter – Snider 3yd rushing TD (extra point try, no good), 28-0. 5:33
Third Quarter – Turner fumble recovery TD, 73 yards (extra point, blocked), 28-6, 9:13
Third Quarter – Snider 7yd rushing TD (extra point try is good), 35-6, 8:00
Covington Team Statistics
Passing Yards: 33
Rushing Yards: 51
KR Yards: 72
PR Yards: /
Total Yards: 144
Total Plays: 30
Turnover: 1
First Downs: 4
Penalties: 7
Parry McCluer Team Statistics
Passing Yards: 34
Rushing Yards: 328
KR Yards: /
PR Yards: 82
Total Yards: 444
Total Plays: 37
Turnover: 1
First Downs: 14
Penalties: 6
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