by Jamie Harris
Morgan Field was jammed packed this past Friday night, September 24, as the Berkeley Springs Indians football team hosted the Tucker County Mountain Lions. Prior to the game the BSHS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 was introduced before the home crowd.
Berkeley Springs jumped out to 7-0 lead in the second quarter after quarterback Gavin Barkley ran the ball in from three yards out for the first score of the night. Oscar Robles connected for the extra point and the Indians led 7-0. That score would stay up to the halftime break.
In the third quarter Tucker County would then bounce back and add a touchdown and a two point conversion attempt to take an 8-7 lead. Berkeley Springs would answer when Barkley found Gavin Young for a 17 yard touchdown reception. The two point conversion was good and the Indians were back in front 15-8.
Antonio Sanchez takes down a Mountain Lion.
photo by Lori Younker
Tucker County would answer the score with one of their own and with the two point conversion jumped back out in front 16-15. As the third quarter was winding down the Indians struck again as Barkley found junior wide receiver RJ Thompson for a 26 yard touchdown reception. The two point conversion attempt was good and the Tribe was back in front 23-16.
In the fourth quarter Tucker County would score to cut the score to 23-22. The Mountain Lions attempted the two point conversion, but the Indians defense held tight and kept the lead at 23-22. Berkeley Springs would answer the Tucker County score with one of their own as Evan Thompson would find a seam and sprint 20 yards in for the Indians final touchdown. The two point conversion attempt was good and the Tribe held a 31-22 lead.
Tucker County would make things interesting as they rallied back and marched down the field for another touchdown to cut the score to 31-28. The Mountain Lions attempted the two point conversion but the Indians defense once again answered the bell with a decisive stop to keep the score at 31-28.
Berkeley Springs would recover the onside kick attempt and eventually grind out the game clock to secure win number two on the season.
Berkeley Springs (2-3) was led offensively by quarterback Barkley (11/16, 189 yards passing, 2 touchdown pass, 6 rushes for 40 yards, and a touchdown), Evan Thompson (21 rushes for 164 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 reception for 8 yards), Young (4 receptions for 56 yards and 1 touchdown), Antonio Sanchez (3 receptions for 52 yards), Chance Swink (1 reception for 18 yards) and RJ Thompson (2 receptions for 55 yards, and 1 touchdown).
Defensively the Tribe was led by RJ Thompson (6 solo tackles & 3 assists), Conner Duvall (5 solo tackles & 4 assists), Evan Thompson (3 solo tackles & 6 assists), Wilford Nutter (7 solo tackles & 4 assists), Christian Garver (3 solo tackles & 1 assist), Sean Bartley (4 solo tackles & 1 assist), Hunter Ambrose (2 solo tackles & 2 assists), and Brady Wilt (3 solo tackles & 3 assists).
Next up for Berkeley Springs (2-3) is a home contest this coming Friday, October 1 at 7 p.m., with the Oak Glen Golden Bears (1-1).
