BECKLEY, W.Va. — Herbert Hoover overcame six turnovers and a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Liberty Raleigh, 34-33 at Van Meter Stadium in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs.
Nick Grayam rushed for an 8-yard touchdown with 11 minutes to play to pull the Huskies within 6 points at 33-27. With 2:01 left, Grayam found Devin Hatfield in the end zone from 9 yards out. The point after gave Hoover a 34-33 lead.
Joseph Hanson sealed the game with an interception near midfield in the final minute.
“These kids have been through a lot off the field,” said first-year head coach Herbert Hoover. “So when something bad happens off the field, they are just playing the next play. We did everything we could to give it to them, me as a coach I did, and we were fortunate to be down only ten at the half.
“These kids believe we are a second half football team. We preached that. Our tempo got going a little bit.”
Liberty Raleigh scored 27 first half points thanks to interception returns from Ryan Simms and Logan Dodrill (98 yards). Simms rushed for another score and Isaac Atkins found the end zone twice. The Raiders led 27-17 at halftime.
Hatfield caught a pair of touchdown passes from Grayam. In addition to the decisive extra point, Levi Paxton connected on field goal attempts of 36 and 29 yards.
“He is a soccer kid. So he is under pressure. He does his job. Without him, we probably don’t win the ball game.”
The No. 13 Huskies (6-2) will face the winner of Saturday’s first round matchup between No. 12 Point Pleasant and No. 5 Oak Glen. Liberty’s season ends with a 6-1 record.