Lumberjacks Cage Cougars, 37-14

Photos by Bruce Crawford In the photo, the ‘Jacks Gavin Streets takes the ball around the end for a huge gainer.
The Valley Lumberjacks scored 24 first-half points, and held on for a 37-14 victory over the Frontier Cougars on Oct. 14 at Tom West Field.
Frontier took the opening kick-off to midfield, and the Lumberjack defense held its own and took over on downs at the ‘Jacks’ own 29-yard line.
The ‘Jacks Tyler Kocher hit teammate Peyton Bassett in stride for a dazzling 64-yard touchdown pitch-and-catch, to race out to a 6-0 advantage.
Frontier again started in great territory on the ensuing kickoff to its own 46-yard line. After gaining a pair of first downs, the Cougars couldn’t get anywhere as the Lumberjack defense bent a bit, but wouldn’t brake and took over on downs for the second straight Frontier drive.
The ‘Jacks Levi Streets picked up two straight double-digit runs, before picking up another first down on a pair of six yard runs. Kocher found teammate Austin Lowe for a 21-yard gain, before Kocher scampered home on a seven-yard TD run to give the good guys a 12-0 lead in the opening stanza.
The Cougars were in good shape after the ensuing kick, and picked up a pair of first downs before the Lumberjacks’ defense took over on a pair of tackles for loss of yardage by Hunter Woods and Travis Leek
Leek returned the ensuing punt back 15-yards to the 28-yard line. Gavin Streets’ two-yard scamper, and a 25-yard Levi Streets run, had the Lumberjacks ready to break the game wide open in the second quarter.
It didn’t take them long, as Levi Streets raced down the field, breaking tackles and pushing would be defenders to the ground with his stiff arm for a 45-yard run to the two-yard line. Kocher bullied his way into the end-zone from one yard out to increase the lead to 18-0 in the second period.
Frontier again got them down to midfield on the ensuing kick-off, but this time the Cougars didn’t waste the great field position, and scored a few plays later on a 14-yard TD run. The PAT kick split the uprights and Valley now led only 18-7 with 5:01 left in the first half.
With the help of a face-mask penalty, the Lumberjacks started its next drive of the second period at their own 46-yard line. Levi Streets opened with a short gainer, but Gavin Streets hauled in a nifty 46-yard pass from Kocher to extend their lead to 24-7 with 4:04 left in the opening half.
Leek decked the Cougars kick-returner with a tackle at the 27-yard line, and ended the Cougars drive when he stepped in front of a Frontier pass for an interception at the 44-yard line.
‘Runs by Levi Streets and Kocher, as well as a pass reception from Gavin Streets had Valley into the Cougars Red-Zone with 1:10 left in the opening half. Two more positive runs ended the first half with Valley on top, 24-7.
Woods jumped on the Frontier second half kick at midfield, and drove 55-yards on 10 plays, capped off by a Bassett four yard touchdown run, but Bassett’s kick was denied and the score stood at 30-7 at 5:53 mark of the third period.
The Valley defense held Frontier to a three and out, and took over at their own 39-yard line.
Leek gained 21-yards and Gavin Streets made a nice grab on a short gainer. After another short gainer, the ‘Jacks picked up a 30-yarder, with Leek finishing the drive with a four-yard TD run. Bassett split the uprights on the extra point conversion kick to give the hosts a 37-7 lead.
The Cougars would add a six yard pitch and catch to end all the scoring after the PAT kick.
Offensively, the ‘Jacks chrurned out 233-yards on 35 carries and five touchdowns. Levi Streets picked up 116 yards on nine carries in the first half and set the rest of the game, while Kocher accumulated 72-yards on 12 carries and scored twice.
In addition, Leek gained 28-yards on six touches, scored a touchdown, while Abe Satterfield, accounted for eight yards on three carries, while Bassett tacked on a four-yard TD run.
From the air, Kocher was 8-18 for 185-yards and two scores, with Gavin Streets hauling in five catches for 89-yards and a score. Bassett hauled in two passes for 87-yards and a touchdown, while Lowe snagged one pass for nine yards.
Valley’s defense yielded only 57-yards rushing and a touchdown, but gave up 7-12 passes for 97-yards and a score and had an interception.
Lowe paced the Lumberjack defense with 10 tackles and a half a sack, while Leek made eight stops and added an interception. Wood recorded six stops and made three and a half sacks. Bassett and Kocher each made five tackles, while Wyatt Dallison made an interception.
The Lumberjacks, in quest of another playoff appearanc,e will tangle with the Bulldogs this Friday at Doddridge High School, with kick-off scheduled at 7 p.m.