by Jamie Harris
It was homecoming night at Berkeley Springs High School and the Indians football team was ready for the showdown with the Hampshire Trojans.
Both teams entered the game needing the win to help establish a better path towards a playoff run.
Before the kick-off Berkeley Springs High School crowned Haden Fincham and Hannah Schlaefi as the 2021 Homecoming King and Queen before a packed Morgan Field.
Ty’Mir Ross charges down the field.
photo by Lori Younker
Hampshire got things rolling scoring on their opening possession to go up 6-0. Berkeley Springs would respond in a big way as senior quarterback Gavin Barkley launched a bomb to a streaking Shawn Lord for a 66 yard completion. Moment’s later senior running back Evan Thompson found the end zone with a five yard run for an Indians touchdown. Dustin Hinckle’s extra point attempt was good and the Indians were out in front 7-6.
Berkeley Springs would force Hampshire to punt on their next possession and the Indians went back to work. The Indians would drive the ball down the field and capped it off as Barkley found Gavin Young for a six yard touchdown pass. Hinckle’s extra point was good and the Tribe led 14-6.
Hampshire would not get much time to regroup as the Trojan’s next offensive possession turned into a Berkeley Springs defensive touchdown. Junior Tymir Ross read the eyes of the Hampshire quarterback and picked off the pass and returned it for another Tribe touchdown. Hinckle was once again automatic on the extra point attempt and the Indians extended their lead to 21-6.
The Indians defense stood their ground once again allowing the Indians offense to take over again. Behind the combination of run and pass the Indians moved the ball to the Trojan one yard line. Ross would then add his second score of the game with a one yard run. Hinckle’s kick was good and the Indians were in complete control with a 28-6 lead. Hampshire would not roll over as the Trojans would add a score on to cut the Tribe lead to 28-12. The Indians would respond as Gavin Barkley would score on a twenty two yard run and with Hinckle’s fifth extra point good the Indians held a 35-12 lead at the half.
In the second half Hampshire would add a touchdown to cut the score to 35-18. However as it had done before the Indians answered the score with one of their own. This time Barkley would connect with Evan Thompson out of the backfield for a thirty seven yard touchdown pass. Hinckle’s kick was good and the Indians led 42-18.
Then the scoring started to speed up in the final two quarters of play as the Trojans would come right back down the field for another score to cut it to 42-24. The Trojans looking to get some momentum was able to stop an Indians drive but the Berkeley Springs defense would add another score of their own. This time the Tribe got a safety to add two more points and increase their lead to 44-24.
On the next Berkeley Springs offensive possession Barkley would take the ball in from five yards out for another touchdown. Hinckle made his seventh straight extra point and the Indians lead was at 51-24. The Indians would score again this time on a Barkley to Antonio Sanchez thirty three yard touchdown pass. Hinckle’s kick was good and the Tribe led 58-24.
Hampshire would come back and score another touchdown to cut the score to 58-32. The Indians offense would answer again as Barkley found Gavin Young for a ten yard touchdown reception and Hinckle made his ninth straight extra point of the game to make the score 65-30.
Late in the fourth quarter the Indians would add their final touchdown of the game as back up quarterback Conner Duvall found receiver freshman receiver Terry Rea III behind the defense for a forty three yard touchdown reception. Hinckle’s extra point attempt was no good to end his streak at nine straight, however the Indians were up 71-32.
Hampshire would score a final touchdown and two point conversion to make the final score 71-40.
Offensively the Indians (3-4) were led by their senior trio of Gavin Barkley (24/38, 393 yards passing, 4 touchdown passes, 6 rushes for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns), Evan Thompson (18 rushes for 206 yards and 1 touchdown, 5 receptions for 89 yards receiving, and a touchdown), and Shawn Lord (8 receptions for 194 yards). Also contributing to the offensive side was Antonio Sanchez (3 receptions for 49 yards, 1 touchdown), Gavin Young (4 receptions for 29 yards and 2 touchdowns), Terry Rea III (1 reception for 43 yards, and 1 touchdown), RJ Thompson (1 reception for 11 yards), Conner Duvall (1/1, 43 yards passing, 1 touchdown pass, and 1 rush for 9 yards), Tymir Ross (3 receptions for 21 yards, 1 rush for 1 yard, and 1 touchdown), and kicker Dustin Hinckle (9/10 on the extra points).
Defensively the Indians were led by Evan Thompson (9 solo tackles, 2 assists, and 1 quarterback sack), Gavin Barkley (2 solo tackles and 2 interceptions), Hunter Ambrose (5 solo tackles and 4 assists), Aaron Armentrout (6 solo tackles, 4 assists, and a forced fumble), Brady Wilt (4 solo tackles and 3 assists), Tymir Ross (1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 1 defensive touchdown),
Next up for the Indians (3-4) is a contest on Friday, October 22 at East West Stadium against the East Fairmont Bees (4-3). If the Indians can go into Fairmont and pull off the win they will be right back in the playoff hunt.
