by Stephen Henderson

In an almost continuous drizzle/downpour Friday night, the Patrick County High School Cougars hosted a well-coached Floyd County High School football team that shut out the Cougars 48-0.

Cougar Coach David Morrison said that almost everything was a struggle for the Cougars as well as the playing conditions. Floyd County’s size, their ability and 38-year head coach Winfred Beale added to that struggle.

The Cougars managed only 72 yards on offense. They had only three first downs and two turnovers in the game. “The conditions Friday night were difficult; the opponent was much bigger and stronger than we were so it was a battle,” Morrison said.

Due to the field conditions, the Cougars depended on their ground game, as did the Buffaloes

Patrick County rushed 38 times while attempting two passes. Floyd rushed 32 times—with all seven of their TDs coming on decent ground runs. The Buffaloes attempted five passes, completing two for 45 yards.

Floyd made successful drives to the goal line on all but two of their offensive possessions. The Cougar defense stopped those two drives on fourth down situations.

Bryson Fulcher led the Cougar defense with seven tackles. Hunter Kenyon and Joshua Cockram each added five. Shemar Hill led the Cougars with 24 yards rushing. Josh Baker added 21 yards on two carries.

The Cougar defense wasn’t as well prepared as it should have been. “We got out of position at times,” Morrison said. “We will have to work on our backside defense this week in hopes of getting better,” he added.

Morrison feels that Friday’s game was a learning situation for the Cougar offense. “We need to work on that power running game,” he said.

The Cougars never did give up. On their last possession before the buzzer, they struggled down past midfield with several strong runs, looking to score before time ran out.

Patrick County will hit the road Friday to William Campbell in Naruna for a 7 p.m. game.