CHARLESTON, W.Va — Capital held off a furious Huntington rally to deal the Highlanders their first loss of the season, 30-22 on Homecoming Night at University of Charleston Stadium.
CHS senior quarterback and WVU recruit Kerry Martin led a pair of first-half scoring drives as the Cougars jumped out to a 23-0 second quarter lead.
Facing 4th-and-goal at the Highlanders three-yard line late in the first quarter, Martin found Quisean Gray in the end zone to give the Cougars an early 7-0 lead.
Capital’s defense would be responsible for their next nine points. Early in the second quarter, Breece Hoff tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage. Deondray Thomas returned it 60 yards for a score to put the Cougars up 14-0. A safety from the Capital defense later in the quarter would put Capital up 16-0.
The home team would take their biggest lead of the contest when 300-pound senior Kalai Clark scored on a two-yard touchdown run to make the score 23-0.
Huntington answered in the final minute of the first half when Tajan Blackwell found Jahronimo Mitchell on a 19-yard scoring connection to bring the Highlanders within 16 points at the half.
Capital rebuilt a 23-point lead midway through the third when Martin threw a 44-yard scoring strike to his younger brother Kerion Martin.
Huntington scored twice in the fourth quarter on touchdown runs from Blackwell and Diallo Mitchell, but their comeback would fall short. Capital’s K.J. Taylor recovered a fumble at the HHS 15-yard line with 1:45 left to seal the victory.
Both teams are now 6-1. The Cougars rebounded well from their first loss to Spring Valley prior to their bye week. “I think we have a really good team and we can get some things straightened out,” said CHS head coach Jon Carpenter.