2021.11.12 Football: VHSL Region 4C Quarterfinal

Nokesville, VA (November 12, 2021) - The game had a feeling of old school football. Played on a natural grass field golden brown with the season, the game time air had an authentic Friday night lights feel to it. Cold enough to keep everyone not playing bundled up, but warm enough so the players on the field never thought twice about the temperature.

Regardless of the classic environment, there was a playoff game to be had between the Kettle Run Cougars and the visiting Tuscarora Huskies.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

Less than four minutes into the game, Tuscarora's Bryce Duke broke off one his patented long touchdown runs. It seemed all too easy, but Kettle Run responded with their best long drive of the night. Reaching the Huskies' one yard line, the Cougars went for the score and promptly lost their first fumble of the night.

Taking over deep in their own territory, the Huskies were unable to move the ball and punted from the end zone. A rare shanked punt meant that Kettle Run could start their second drive inside the Tuscarora 25 yard line--and Peyton Mehaffey scored quickly to make the score 7-6 after the extra point attempt was blocked.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Cougars would ever get. Plagued by turnovers all night, Kettle Run gave up the ball four times in the first half and the Huskies capitalized to make it 21-6 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same including an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by Tuscrora's Josh Bendix (one of three picks he had in the half) and two more long touchdowns for Duke. The Cougars' Jacob Robinson finally got into the end zone as the third quarter ended, but it was far too little, too late. While Tuscarora dominated in every phase of the game, seven total turnovers eliminated any chance of a comeback for Kettle Run. 

Final Score: Tuscarora 45 - Kettle Run 12