by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs High School Indians football team hit the road on Saturday, November 2, to face off against the Braxton County Eagles in a rare Saturday afternoon matchup. The Indians, look- ing to break a three-game losing streak, came out strong and held on to secure a hard- fought 35-29 victory, moving to 3-6 on the season.
Berkeley Springs wasted no time setting the tone as senior quarterback Aiden Cain connected with sopho- more receiver Kyle Moore on a 38-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. DJ Hinckle’ s successful extra point put the Indians up 7-0 just three minutes into the game.
The Indians quickly capitalized on an Eagle turnover, marching downfield where senior running back Trenton Wheeler powered into the end zone from one yard out. Another extra point from Hinckle extended Berkeley Springs’ lead to 14-0, leaving the Tribe in control.
Braxton County answered in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 14-7 with a short touchdown run and a successful extra point. However, the Indians continued to dominate in the air, as Cain delivered his second touchdown pass of the game, finding junior Adam Rippeon for a nine-yard score. Hinckle’s third P A T pushed Berkeley Springs back ahead 21-7. The Eagles managed to respond with a touchdown of their own just before halftime, narrowing the gap to 21-14.
The third quarter saw a tense back-and-forth with both defenses stepping up. Late in the quarter, Cain found senior receiver Landon Schetrompf for a 10-yard touchdown strike, capping off a methodical drive. Hinckle’s extra point pushed the Indians to a 28-14 lead. As the quarter wound down, Braxton County struck back with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, making it 28-22 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Cain once again stepped up for the Indi- ans, adding a 12-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 35-22 with just over eight minutes remaining. The Eagles continued to battle, adding another rushing touchdown, but their two-point conversion attempt fell short, leaving the Indians up 35-29. Berkeley Springs successfully ran out the clock after recovering the ensuing kickoff, securing their third win of the season.
Cain led the Indians’ offensive charge, finishing the day with 248 passing yards on 16- of-24 completions, three passing touchdowns, 65 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Wheeler contributed 24 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with two catches for eight yards. Schetrompf posted six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Moore added four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Rippeon also impressed with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Indians were formidable, with stand-out performances across the lineup. Wheeler led with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss (TFL), and one forced fumble. Moore contributed 12 tackles and one TFL, while defensive stalwarts like Seth Armentrout (eight tackles, one TFL, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup) and Brian Ailor (nine tackles, one fumble recovery) helped contain the Eagles. Schetrompf also had a key interception to stop a Braxton County drive, while Owen Kemmerer, Ailor, and Armentrout contributed with critical fumble recoveries.
The Indians (3-6) will wrap up their season this Friday, November 8, as they host the Class A Moorefield Yellow Jackets (3-6) in a Senior Night showdown. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with a special pregame ceremony to honor the seniors in the band, cheer squad and football team.
