by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs Indians took a short trip up I-70 East to face off against the Clear Spring Blazers (MD 1A) under the lights on Friday, September 13.
On a beautiful evening with perfect temperatures for high school football, the Indians were eager to build on their early-season efforts after last week’s shutout win over Trinity Morgantown. However, it was the Blazers who took control early, running out to a commanding 35-7 halftime lead before coasting to a 42-14 victory over the Tribe.
Clear Spring’s offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half, overwhelming the Indians’ defense and establishing a substantial lead. Despite the deficit, Berkeley Springs senior quarterback Aiden Cain provided a spark for the Indians with a 28-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, putting the Indians on the board. Cain also added a second touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a 22- yard keeper, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Senior kicker Dustin Hinckle remained reliable, converting both of his extra- point attempts to cap off the Tribe’s scoring.
Offensively, Cain was a standout for the Indians, going 7/17 through the air for 79 yards, while also rushing 15 times for 168 yards and both of the team’s touch-downs. Other offensive contributors included Trent Wheeler, who rushed for 18 yards and caught four passes for 43 yards. Jake Aulabaugh added 17 rushing yards, while Kyle Moore (2 receptions for 19 yards) and Landon Schetrompf (1 reception for 17 yards) contributed through the air.
On the defensive side, the Indians had a number of players step up despite Clear Spring’s potent attack. Krystian Norris, Kyle Moore, and Seth Armentrout led the way with three tackles each, while Remington Sites, Kowen Proctor, Brian Ailor, David Dillon and Owen Kemmerer each recorded two tackles.
With the loss, Berkeley Springs drops to 1-2 on the season. The Indians will look to bounce back as they hit the road again on Friday, September 20, for a matchup against Keyser (0-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Tribe will need to sharpen both their offensive and defensive execution as they face a Keyser team hungry for their first win of the season.
