By Stephen Henderson
The Patrick County High School Cougar football team traveled to Ridgeway Friday night to play the defending state champs Magna Vista. The Warriors came to the field with their A-game in play, and took a commanding 35-0 lead with their fifth TD just moments into the second quarter.
At that stage of the game, the clock continued running while both teams battled it out on the field. The final score of the game was 38-0.
The Warriors played a controlled game from early in the second quarter to the end of the game. Their final score came on a 33-yard field goal with just over 10 minutes left in the game.
The Cougars were once again dealing with injuries and working out scenarios on how to replace injured Tyvin Martin and Colt Martin. According to Coach Derick Jones, a couple of players were called in to take up the slack.
Senior Zach Strole, starting guard for the Cougars, put on the #23 jersey and took over as running back, gaining 29 yards in 10 carries.
Tyler Stanley did double duty in the backfield Friday night, taking a running spot as well as becoming the signal caller several times. He completed a pass to Matt Amos for 25 yards and had 30 yards on the ground on 10 carries.
Logan Keen has been acting as running back for several weeks since he has been released from a knee injury three weeks ago.
The Cougars picked up only 48 yards on offense, but they did have eight first downs. The Cougars entered into Warrior territory three times, but a pair of MV interceptions deep in Warrior territory stopped the Cougar drives.
According to Jones, both Tyvin and Colt should be cleared for the final game of the season, November 4, when the Martinsville Bulldogs come to town. The Cougars have a bye date this Friday, October 28.
Jones is looking forward to the bye week in hopes of getting all players back to full speed in preparation for the final game of the season. “I am pleased with what I am seeing, and I want to see how it works out in the final game,” he said.
