Lewis County’s protection picked an ideal second to make a stand late within the recreation, and the Minutemen picked up win No. 1 on the season, surviving a monster recreation from Braxton County’s Tyler Cox, who had 325 of his workforce’s 364 yards to win, 34-28.

Lewis County received the ball first in what can be a wide-open first quarter, and after a 36-yard run by Drew Cayton received the ball contained in the 10-yard line, Brayden Carder would trot in from six yards out for the rating. Owen Acord’s additional level made it 7-0 with 10:35 to go within the quarter.

Braxton County’s Cox confirmed his big-play potential on the Eagles’ second play from scrimmage, racing proper earlier than chopping again left, dodging and breaking tackles all alongside the best way for a 73-yard rating.

Mathias Garavaglia hit the additional level to tie the sport at 7-7 with 9:35 remaining within the opening quarter.

Lewis County answered on the subsequent possession, marching 53 yards on eight performs in just below 4 minutes and scoring when Bryant Zielinski hit Zach James with a 17-yard landing go. The conversion failed however Lewis County took a 13-7 lead with 5:37 nonetheless to play within the first quarter.

It took the Eagles simply over a minute to reply again when quarterback Logan Bennett discovered Cox with a brief go and Cox once more gashed by the Lewis County protection for a 78-yard landing. Garavaglia’s kick was blocked, and the rating moved to 13-13.

It took Lewis County simply three performs to attain on the following possession when Cayton raced in from 26 yards out for the rating with 3:40 on the primary quarter clock. Acord’s kick made it 20-13.

The second quarter was the other of the primary with neither workforce discovering the endzone. Lewis County almost punched one in on the ultimate play of the half, however Cayton was stopped simply in need of the aim line.

The Eagles scored as soon as once more on the opening drive of the second half when Bryce Leegan’s second effort from one yard out put him in the long run zone. Leegan additionally ran within the two-point conversion to present the guests their first lead of the competition, 21-20.

Once more it took Lewis County little time to reply after beginning with good discipline place on the Eagles’ 45-yard line. A Cayton 5-yard run, an Acord run of 23 yards and a 17-yard landing run from Cayton made up your complete drive and took simply 56 seconds off the clock.

Carder transformed the two-point conversion to place Lewis County again within the lead, 28-21.

That lead lasted till the Eagles subsequent snapped the ball when Cox once more took the ball and went 72 yards for the rating. Lewis County appeared to get a hand on Garavaglia’s kick, however it nonetheless made it by the uprights to make it 28-28 with 6:49 to play within the third quarter.

Lewis County went on the march as soon as once more on the following possession, however the drive threatened to stall in Eagles territory. Dealing with a third-and-8, Zielinski dropped again to go however opted to tuck it and run, 27 yards later, and he was in the long run zone. The conversion run failed, however Lewis County took the lead, 34-28.

On the opening drive of the ultimate quarter, Lewis County’s protection made a stand, forcing Braxton County to go for it on fourth-and-6, Bennett had Anthony Currence open on the play, however the go hit Currence within the numbers and fell to the bottom for the turnover on downs.

Lewis County additionally confronted a key fourth down late on the subsequent drive, when Carder appeared to have the one yard wanted; nevertheless, the spot confirmed the ball to be simply brief turning it over.

From there, Lewis County’s protection discovered its toes, and saved the Eagles’ offense at bay and compelled a turnover on downs to seal the win.

Lewis County coach Dustin Cogar praised his workforce’s “no-quit” efficiency whereas noting that that they had to enhance in tackling going ahead.

“I’ve been saying all of it 12 months. This can be a completely different workforce. I’m unsure what sort of workforce we’re going to find yourself being, however we don’t stop. That was ugly, however we received the win and I’m happy with them,” Cogar stated.

Cogar additionally had some reward for the workforce on the opposing sideline.

“And kudos to the Braxton County children, they’re robust. No. 4 (Cox) had among the finest video games I’ve seen shortly,” Cogar added.

Cox completed with 247 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. He added one catch for 78 yards and a landing.