By Scott Reece
Second row (L to R): Raekwon Hagen, Isaiah Redd, Chase Jessup, Jonathan Pell, Wyatt Argo, Frank LaComa, Johnny Crowell, Martin Morse, Jade Phillips, Carson Merriman.
Third row (L to R): Lucas McGhee, Bryson Fulcher, Aiden LaComa, Garrett Worley, Ethan Young, Dae’Shawn Penn, Colby Vernon, Josh Dalton, Josh Cockram, Jaheim Johnson, Justin Pell, Manager: Mitchell Wimbush.
Last row (L to R), coaches: Tony Mosely, Robert Cunningham, Lewis Carroll, Oscar Tejeda, David Morrison, Justin Bowles, Brad Dalton, Brian Hubbard, Brad Pell. (Photos contributed by Vernon Tilley.)
The Patrick County Varsity football team ended their season last Friday with a frustrating loss at Bassett, with a final score of 29-8.
Like many games this year, the final score was not an indication of the Cougars’ efforts. The Cougars scored on their first possession, a 59-yard run by Senior WR Chase Jessup, to make the score 6-0.
Backup QB Bryson Fulcher scored the two-point conversion and the Cougars had a quick 8-0 lead. But Bassett returned the kickoff for a touchdown, making the score 8-6.
The Cougars gave up another touchdown in the 2nd quarter and trailed at halftime, 14-8. The Cougars never got any closer as they struggled to move the ball in the second half. The Cougars’ defense gave up a long touchdown to the Bengals in the 3rd quarter that made the score 21-8, and a late score made it a final score of 29-8.
For the season, QB Frankie LaComa led the team in passing yards with 246 and WR Josh Cockram caught a team high 5 receptions – 3 of those went for touchdowns. RB DaeShawn Penn led the team in rushing with 831 including 101 yards in the final game at Bassett, but William Spowl led the team in touchdowns with 5. Samuel Edwards led the defense in sacks with 3, and Chris Drewery had the most interceptions with 3.
Head Coach David Morrison said, “We were really proud of our boys for their efforts this season and in particular for their efforts on Friday night at Bassett. We ran the ball well and played solid defense for the majority of the night but made too many errors and turnovers for us to be able to pull out a win against a solid Bassett squad. Our offensive line and backfield were able to put together a good night on the ground rushing, more than 200 yards rushing between 4 guys. Morrison said about the season “We are very proud of our boys for their work this year and the direction that they have started to take our program. We will certainly miss our seniors and wish them the best in everything they do moving forward, we couldn’t have made the strides we have without them. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for our guys.”
The Cougars ended the season with a 2-8 record.
