The Valley Lumberjacks scored on a 60-yard run and took advantage of a botched kickoff that led to a score to come from behind in the fourth period to defeat the Paden City Wildcats, 28-22 to claim Wetzel County supremacy, Oct. 28 at Berger Field in Paden City on the ‘Cats Senior Night.

The Lumberjacks took the opening kickoff and went on an impressive 11-play, 67-yard drive, using 5:03 off the clock, capped off by a five-yard touchdown by Casey Pingley to take a 7-0 lead after the Peyton Palmer PAT.

However, the home-standing Wildcats went on an 11-play, 65-yard drive, using 6:04 of the first quarter clock, capped off by a Geoffrey Bidwell to Peyton Hinkley 14-yard TD pitch and catch to close the gap to 7-6 after the botched two-point conversion attempt.

A Wildcat fumble late in the second period gave the visiting Lumberjacks a chance to make some noise before the intermission. The ‘Jacks’ Jonathan Smallwood galloped 18-yards that set up a Pingley three-yard TD run. After another Palmer conversion kick, Valley led, 14-6 at the break.

The third period belonged to the leading OVAC Class-A running back Taylor Still and the Paden City Wildcats. Still rushed for 113 of his game-high 184-yards rushing and scored twice and a two-point conversion run to give the Wildcats a 22-14 lead on TD carries of 60 and four-yards. Bidwell added a conversion run.

In the fourth period, Pingley capped off a short drive with a 60-yard TD run and Smallwood put the nail in the coffin with a four-yard TD scamper and a conversion run.

Paden City did not go down without a fight. After taking over at midfield, the ‘Cats moved the pigskin all the way down to the 19-yard line before a dropped fourth down pass ended any hopes of a Paden City victory.

“You have to give both teams a lot of credit here,” said Paden City Head Coach Brent Croasmun. “This was an extremely hard-played game, especially in the second half, but they just got a few more breaks than we did.”

Croasmun went on to add, “Not fielding that kickoff in the fourth period was huge, but we also had a penalty that stopped a drive in the first half and a turnover that led to a score for them.”

“It’s a tough loss, our seniors played as hard as they could. We challenged the kids in the second half and I’m very proud of the effort. We had opportunities, we just didn’t make enough plays.

Valley Head Coach Tom West was also proud of his troops and the way they fought back. “This is a big lesson for our young kids, said West. “That was a great second half and like the old saying goes, it’s not over until it’s over.”

“We have worked on that kickoff all year. There is always a chance it will hit the ground or the other team will drop it and we can fall on it,” said West.

Still paced the 3-6 Wildcats with 184-yards rushing and two touchdowns on 36 carries, while Bidwell accounted for 36 yards on 10 touches. Bidwell was 2-2 throwing the ball for 12-yards and a touchdown, with Hinkley hauling in one pass for 14 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively Jamie Billiter had 11 tackles and caused a fumble, while Keith Hardbarger and Payton Hinkley each recorded 10 tackles. Hardbarger also recovered a fumble. Jared Stewart hauled down nine Lumberjacks, while adding a sack and causing a ‘Jack fumble. Kyle Staton also had nine tackles, while Trey Leonard and Bidwell brought down eight and six ‘Jack ball carriers, respectively.

The Wildcats stockpiled two more first downs than the Lumberjacks, with 12, while Valley had one more penalty than the ‘Cats with three.

Valley was paced offensively by Pingley. He rushed for 169 yards and scored three times, while Smallwood tallied 85 yards and scored a touchdown on 14 carries, while Hunter Ring completed 1-4 passes for five yards to Drew Wade.

Defensively for the Lumberjacks, Smallwood and Spencer Mason each recorded 10 tackles, while Clay Ueltschy and TC Long each hauled down eight Wildcats. Pingley recovered a fumbled kickoff.

The ‘Jacks finished their season with a 4-6 record and will say goodbye to its starting quarterback, Hunter Ring; halfback, Jonathan Smallwood; halfback, Drew Wade; tight end, Clay Ueltschy; guard, Austin Bassett; and the OVAC’s second leading rusher, Casey Pingley. He has accounted for 1,328-yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season.