The Chapmanville Regional High School Tigers shut out the Poca Dots in the second half to secure a 24-14 victory on Friday from O.O. White Stadium in Poca, WV. Chapmanville led 17-14 at halftime and turned in a strong defensive effort to erase any hopes of a Poca comeback in the second half. Chapmanville was able to intercept two Peyton Cook passes, one in the end zone and another to end the game, to cement their second 2-0 start in as many years.
Defensively, the Tigers were led once again by linebackers Eli Pridemore (Jr.), who had 18 total tackles, and Preston Kovach (Soph.), who had 13 total tackles and the game sealing INT. Offensively for the Tigers, Robert Cook (Jr.) showed off his arm this week throwing for 135 yards on 15 attempts for 11 completions and two TDs. Andrew Topping (Jr.) had four catches for 80 yards and 1 TD and Austin Adkins (Soph.) had four catches for 77 yards and 1 TD as well.
Chapmanville opened up the scoring with a 33-yard field goal from Jonathan Ferrell (Soph.) to lead 3-0 late in the first quarter. Poca then took a 7-3 lead after Peyton Cook found Landen Aldridge on a post from 28 yards out to give the Dots their only lead of the game as Chapmanville would answer quickly on Robert Cook’s 44-yard strike to Austin Adkins to give Chapmanville a 10-7 lead with 8:24 left in the first half. Chapmanville would find the end zone again as Robert Cook found Andrew Topping from 24-yards out to give Chapmanville a 17-7 lead midway through the 2nd quarter.
Poca wouldn’t go away though as the Dots were able to drive the field and get a fortunate bounce as Jackson McClanahan fell on a Preston Bonnett fumble in the end zone to allow the Dots to score before the half and cut the Chapmanville lead to 17-14.
In the second half, Poca threatened the end zone one once as the Dots tried a trick play in the redzone, but Keldon Lucas made a nice recovery and was able to intercept the pass in the endzone for the Tigers and end the Dots’ chances to take the lead. Chapmanville was able to use some power football in the 2nd half, leaning on the legs of Jeremy Collins (Soph.) to ice the game away. It was Collins who ran in the final score of the game, from 8-yards out, in the 4th quarter to cement the Tiger victory.
Head Coach Zach Belcher says he’s excited for Friday night’s matchup. “It’s always exciting to play at home in front of Tiger fans, they are the best fans in the world.” When asked about the matchup with the Generals, Coach Belcher thinks this game comes down to physicality, “I think Winfield is one of the most physical teams we will play all season. We have to come in with the mindset that we will be the more physical team. We want to show that we have worked hard enough to compete against anyone on our schedule.”
Chapmanville (2-0) will face the Winfield Generals (1-1) on Friday night from Barker Stadium at 7:00 PM. Coverage on the D&D Sports Network will start at 6:50 PM.
