The visiting Alleghany Cougars beat the Patrick County High Cougars, 47-10 in a Three Rivers District match up on October 25.
Alleghany came into the game unbeaten at 9-0 and ranked by MaxPreps as the #5 3A team in the state. It was the Cougars from Patrick County who got off to the fast start.
Patrick County stopped Alleghany on a 4th and 4 with great pursuit by the defense, giving them the ball at mid-field. Facing their own 4th down, Patrick County went for it. Quarterback Avonne Kidd rolled left, drawing the Alleghany linebackers in before pitching the ball out to Easton Harris, who cut past the defenders on a 35-yard touchdown run. The Erik Martinez-Tejeda extra point kick gave Patrick County a 7-0 with 4:26 to go in the first quarter.
On their next drive, Alleghany once again went for it on 4th and 1, and once again the Patrick County defense came up big, forcing a turnover on downs. Minutes later, Patrick County failed to convert on 4th down, falling just short.
With 8:32 to go in the first half, Alleghany got on the board with a quarterback run for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, keeping Patrick County in the lead at 7-6. Following a successful onside kick, Alleghany took over and scored on a 45-yard touchdown throw. A two-point conversion gave Alleghany a 7-14 lead, which increased to 7-21 at the half.
Alleghany would add 26 more points in the second half to take a 7-47 lead late in the game. Patrick County, with time winding down, drove down the field with several good runs. As time expired, Martinez-Tejada hit a 37-yard field goal, ending the game 10-47.
Following the game, Patrick County head coach David Morrison said he liked the effort his team gave on the night. “I’m very proud of our kid’s effort tonight. They came out and worked hard. We had some things that didn’t go our way. We were able to move the ball some in the first. I felt pretty good about what we were doing. We’re getting better every week. We’re going to keep grinding and we’re going to keep getting better.”
They also noticed Patrick County’s effort on the other sideline. “Talking with their coach after the game, he gave one of the greatest compliments a coach can pay you,” said Morrison. “He said, I know the scoreboard looks like that, but your boys outplayed us tonight. He said we’ve got athletes all over the field, and those boys outplayed us.”
The effort was even more impressive, with several Patrick County starters out with injuries. “The injuries we’ve been dealing with have really hurt us. We’ve got a few guys that have been starters all year that have been out. I’m very proud of the guys that stepped up and filled in their roles,” said Morrison.
Leading the way for Patrick County was Easton Harris with 67 yards on the ground, 30 yards receiving, and a touchdown. Jayden Corns had 51 yards rushing and Avonne Kidd went 4-11 for 29 yards passing.
Paul Pascale and Conner Goad each had 10 tackles with Wheeler Helms adding 8.
Following a bye week, Patrick County will finish their regular season on November 8 when they host district rivals James River at John D. Hooker Field.
