It was a very wet and muddy homecoming game for the Valley Lumberjacks as they welcomed the Bishop Donahue Bishops to Tom West Field Oct. 24 and crowned Miss Megan Midcap homecoming queen. But, the ‘Jacks fell to the Bishops 25-20 in double overtime.

The Lumberjacks won the toss and drove the ball down the field, but after several first downs they had to punt, and the Bishops took it right down and scored a touchdown. And with the two point conversion, the score stood 8-0 Bishops after one.

Valley moved the ball, but had to punt after driving the ball for a couple first downs on every possession. And after a ‘Jack punt the Bishops went on a 66-yard TD run to pull ahead by 14-0, after the missed extra point conversion try.

After the TD the ‘Jacks again moved the ball down field, however this time Ronald Morris took a Garrett Ueltschy pitch and rambled 11 yards out to cut the deficit to eight at the break.

After a scoreless third period, it was Morris once again for the ‘Jacks, only this time he took it to the house from 37 yards out. He added the two-point conversion run to force overtime.

In the first overtime Donahue got the ball first and scored on a five-yard run. But, the conversion try didn’t work. It was the Lumber-jacks’ turn and Garrett Ueltschy ran the ball in from one yard out. Valley went for the win, but the kick was down the middle, but was a little low and they went into the second overtime period.

After the ‘Jacks failed to score in the second overtime, Donahue ended the game on a one-yard run.”We felt we should have won, but we didn’t give up and our players put themselves in position to get the win,” said Assistant Coach Jim West. “We are looking forward to this Friday when we take on Paden City.

On the night Coleman Ueltschy led the way on the ground with 23 carries for 75 yards, while Ronald Morris chipped in with 70 yards and two TDs. Cody Scott, subbing for injured Cody Bates, earned 62 yards on only seven carries. Garret Ueltschy led the way through the air, completing one of six for 10 yards, to Matt Poling.

Defensively, the ‘Jacks were led by Michael Hornbeck with 19 tackles, and Jacob Norris’s 13 tackles. Morris and Scott added 10 tackles each, while Garrett Ueltschy added an interception. The ‘Jacks didn’t have a penalty the whole game, while Bishop was flagged only five times for 35 yards.

Despite the ‘Jacks’ record they are a very good football team and have shown great improvements all season, even with all the injuries to key players as well as their Head Coach Tom West.

This Friday the Lumberjacks welcome rival the Paden City to Tom West Field at 7:30 p.m. for the final version of the Wetzel County Back Yard Brawl.