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Herbert Hoover ends Doddridge’s 33-game regular season win streak

— Story by Ethan Collins

WEST UNION, W.Va. — Herbert Hoover became the first team to defeat Doddridge County in the regular season in over three years, knocking off the Bulldogs 31-14 at Cline Stansberry Stadium.

Doddridge (5-1) had not played a game in three weeks after an extended pause due to the state’s COVID map. The Bulldogs had seven penalties for 60 yards and four turnovers. The Huskies (4- 2) took advantage of several Doddridge miscues. First year head coach Joey Fields said after the win, “We just want to find a way to win, however it may be. I was really hoping that we could respond better after a win. We knew how good this Bulldog team was coming in.”

The first drive was a perfect example of that. With the Bulldogs marching down the field and in the red zone they attempted a trick play. A halfback pass from Dylan Knight resulted in an interception. That mistake did not result in points for the Huskies. Doddridge was able to get the ball back in opponent territory that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown by Reese Burnside. The second quarter was all Herbert Hoover. The Huskies first got on the board and tied the game with a 26-yard touchdown rush by Hunter Bartley. The Bulldogs fumbled on their next possession and switched momentum to the Huskies as they took the lead 14-7 thanks to a quarterback sneak by Nick Grayam.

The first possession of the second half seemed to start in Doddridge County’s favor forcing Herbert Hoover to go three and out. However on the ensuing punt the Bulldogs muffed it, and gave the ball immediately back to the Huskies. This allowed them to get a 14-point lead after Bartley ran for a 3-yard score and put the Huskies up 21-7. The Bulldogs seemed to bring back some momentum as they put their best drive together and made it a one-score game as quarterback Jarred Jones kept it for the score with under a minute left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter got interesting as Herbert Hoover marched down the field. Bartley looked like he was going to go in for his third score, but the running back was held short by two yards. This play sparked a lot of controversy as it looked initially like Bartley had fumbled the ball into the endzone and the bulldogs recovered. Referees though said that he was down, and fullback Zach Paxton put it back to a two-score game. Doddridge couldn’t move the ball well with time against them and needing a quick score they pass their way into a turnover on downs. The Huskies to chewed the clock and ended up kicking a field goal to make it a three-score game and ceiling the victory.

Coach Fields talked a lot about how confident the team is after that big win saying, “We control our own destiny. These guys have never been to the playoffs. In fact, most games these guys have ever won is four and now were looking at a 4-2 record. These guys have serious fight in them, and I think we’re a better football team than our 4-2 record indicates.”

The Bulldogs rushed for 149 yards and passed for 113. The leading rusher was Burnside who had 10 carries for 49 yards, a fumble, and a touchdown. The leading receiver was Hunter Jenkins who had 4 catches for 65 yards.

The Huskies passed for only 90 yards but rushed for 225 yards. They were led by Bartley who had 23 carries for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nick Grayam also played a big factor in the running game, getting 13 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown.





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