By Stephen Henderson
The Patrick County High School Cougars traveled to Martinsville last Friday night to play at the Bulldog homecoming football game and lost 38-7.
“I thought our boys played a solid game on Friday night, but we just gave up too many big plays and gave a good team too many second chances,” said PCHS coach David Morrison.
“When we had Martinsville backed up or behind the chains, we were unable to get them off the field and with the level of talent and skill those guys have, they were able to capitalize and make some big plays and ultimately that was the difference in the game, the big play,” he explained.
Martinsville scored on its first possession after a PC punt was downed on the Bulldogs’ own 44. They moved to the Cougar 33 on a big pass play and moved the ball into the end zone six plays later with 4:41 left in the first quarter.
They scored two more times in the second quarter on an 18-yard run and a 23-yard pass, giving them the lead 21-0 with just under a minute left on the clock.
Patrick County’s Frankie LaComa returned the ensuing kickoff to the Cougar 30. On a third-and-three on the Martinsville 46, Shemar Hill caught a pass from Logan Hutchens and headed for the goal line as time ran out for the half. Ethan Harkey’s extra-point kick hit the bottom crossbar and bounced over for the score.
The Cougars were held scoreless for the second half as Martinsville added 17 points, including a 37-yard field goal.
Quarterback Logan Hutchens was 2 for 4 passing, picking up 63 yards in the air. He was 3/10 on the ground. Shemar Hill added 84 yards on 24 carries while Frankie LaComa added 17 on eight carries. LaComa picked up 101 yards on kickoff returns.
Garrett Worley led tacklers with 11; Bryson Fulcher added eight and Hunter Kenyon and LaComa each made six.
“We hit hard and blocked pretty well on Friday night; there were several points in the game that we had their defense on their heels and that was great to see, but we need to eliminate those drive-killing mistakes that kept us from capitalizing,” Morrison said.
“We are very proud of our guys and the effort and resolve they have been showing. Their commitment to the team and to each other is something that is great to see. as a coach,” he said. “These guys are getting better each week, and it’s great to see the continued improvement and sustained effort,” he added.
“This weekend we will play Halifax at home, and it will be great to finally get back home after six weeks away,” said Morrison. “Halifax is a really solid team with a great running attack and a couple of really good backs. Our guys will be looking forward to the challenge of stopping their running attack,” he said.
