By Bill Nestor
Lincoln started out area high school football action this past Thursday in a game that had more fireworks than the Fourth of July. The Cougars travelled to Summersville to do battle with Nicholas County. Both teams would score at least twice in every quarter except one, the fourth for Lincoln.
The Cougars and Grizzlies combined for 977 yards of total offense and 111 points. When the smoke cleared, Nicholas County would pull out a highly contested 63 to 58 win.
Those squads were deadlocked after the first period (14 all) and at the halftime break (35 each), but it was the third segment that brought a crack of separation. The Grizzlies would add an insurance score in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
Cougar quarterback A. J. Bart helped his squad stay in the battle with an impressive outing. The senior was 13 of 35 for 365 yards and four passing scores. Bart would share the wealth as five different players would catch at least three passes. Colton Edwards hauled in seven balls for 126 yards and a pair of scores. Cade Riley caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Conner Rice hauled in five balls and was the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards including a pair of one yard scoring runs.
In Lost Creek, South Harrison remained undefeated with a come-from-behind 44 to 38 win over Poca. The Dots scored first but the hawks would manage a 28 to 24 halftime lead behind the running of Xavier Tustin and Shepard Paugh. Each would have a pair of touchdowns in the first half of play.
The third period was pivotal for the home team as South Harrison would outscore the Dots 10 to nothing. Tustin would add another score in the affair while leading all rushers in the epic battle. He would finish with 204 yards on33 carriers. Paugh would follow with 97 yards on six attempts.
Class AAA defending state champions, the Bridgeport Indians, moved to four and oh with a 56 to seven win over Phillip Barbour in Tribe Territory. Gavin Williams and Gabe Martin led the Bridgeport ground game. The two combined for 362 yards on just 16 carries. Almost half of their attempts (seven) ended up in the endzone. The Tribe would collect 511 yards of offense in a game where they would punt just once.
Robert C. Byrd would snap a two-game losing streak with a 41 to 14 win on the road at Preston. Flying Eagle signal caller Isiah Heflin was seven of nine passing for 168 yards and four touchdowns. He would also score on a three yard run. Quentin Hilliard hauled in four passes for 117 yards and three scores. Isaac Barksdale led the Flying Eagles rushing attack with 109 yards on 19 attempts, including a 12-yard scoring run.
This week, Lincoln will host north Marion. South Harrison takes a trip to Clay County. Robert C. Byrd will host Bridgeport. It is hard to believe that the midway point of the football season is already here. The significance of every game is magnified as the playoffs are just around the corner.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
