Indians fall to Rams

by Jamie Harris
Homecoming 2012 saw the crowning of Berkeley Springs seniors Nativa Kesecker as queen and Michael Jenkins as king to start off the game between Berkeley Springs and Southern Garrett.

Both the Indians and the Rams came into the game searching for their first win of the 2012 season. Unfortunately the Indians had nothing to celebrate on homecoming night as they dropped a 26-16 decision to the visitors from Garrett County, Md.

Southern Garrett pounded the Indian defense by running the football on 70 of the 71 plays on offense. The Rams only attempted one pass and it was an incompletion. Both of the Rams' initial first quarter drives lasted 13 plays. Both also ended with a rushing touchdown - one by quarterback Kevin Colaw and the other from Garrett Campbell from 24 yards away.

Campbell finished the night with 26 carries for 189 yards.

The two possessions in the first quarter lasted a combined 10 minutes, 54 seconds and carried over into the beginning of the second quarter.

Berkeley Springs couldn't get any offense going in the opening quarter and was forced to punt on both possessions.

In the second quarter, the Indians took the ball on the Rams 45, a Mark Cowles pass to Kaleb Athey picked up 41 yards. From there Cowles found senior tight end Tyler Bradley for a four yard touchdown pass. Kicker Zach Wise converted the extra point to give the Tribe their first points of the game trailing 13-7.

Southern Garrett fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Berkeley Springs recovered at the Rams 39. The Indians then drove down to the Rams 19 yard line, with another Cowles to Athey pass and catch for 35 yards. After stalling and facing fourth and four, the Tribe attempted a 36 yard field goal by Wise that sailed wide right.

The Indian defense held and allowed them one more chance before the half to try and put some more points on the board. Cowles hit Athey again for an 11 yard gain. From there Cowles rolled right and hit a wide open Preston Hovermale for a 39 yard gain. Cowles then found Matt Johnson for a five yard gain that set up a Zach Wise 35 yard field goal attempt with five seconds left before the half. This time Wise split the uprights, and Berkeley Springs went into halftime trailing 13-10 and momentum on their side.

Southern Garrett got the ball to begin the third quarter and pieced together another long drive.

Jeffery Eddington had a 27-yard run for a first down, but the drive stalled. On a fourth and five, Southern tried its only pass play, but it fell incomplete and Berkeley Springs took over at their own 23.

Berkeley Springs gave the ball right back when Cowles was intercepted and the Rams capitalized on the good field position.

Southern's drive started on the Indians 21 and ended six plays later when Campbell scored from five yards away for his second touchdown.

Berkeley Springs turned the ball over on downs on the following drive.

Again, the Rams turned good field position into points. This time the drive started at the Indian's 38. Six plays later, Eddington ran the ball 36 yards while breaking three tackles and reached the end zone for the score. The extra point attempt was missed, making the score 26-10.

The Berkeley Springs defense then came up with a big play late in the game.

Ram running back Garrett Campbell took the handoff and ran off the right tackle. The Indians proceeded to swarm to the ball and in the pile up, Kaleb Athey stripped the ball out of Campbell’s hands and streaked down the home sideline for a 75 yard fumble return for a touchdown.

The Tribe now trailing 26-16, elected to go for the two point conversion and the attempt failed. Berkeley Springs attempted an onside kick, but Southern Garrett recovered and was able to run out the clock to end the game.

The Indians were led offensively by Athey who hauled in six catches for 120 yards. Defensively, the Indians were led by Preston Hovermale (12 tackles) and Cody Burch (11 1/2 tackles) and a fumble recovery.

The Indians are now 0-5 on the season. They will travel to Moorefield this coming Friday night in search of their first win of the season. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.