The Copper Basin High School Cougars traveled five miles from the Kentucky line to Byrdstown, Tennessee, Friday night and returned home 44-18 winners over Pickett County.
The game, played on a baseball field, was dominated by the Cougars. “It was quiet and there was not a lot of energy there. I challenged our kids to create their own energy, play with emotion and don’t be emotional. They stepped up and did great,” said Head Coach Brett Graves. This was the first road win in three years for the Cougars.
Basin’s offense controlled the line against a good Pickett team. “They were crowding the box. We had to make holes when there wasn’t one,” Graves said.
Pickett County’s defeat dropped their record to 0-8. Copper Basin has won three of their last four games and their record stands at 3-5 this season.
Basin led Pickett 24-6 at halftime.
Nate Spencer scored Basin’s first touchdown on a 50-yard rush. Nick Bird earned the two-point conversion. Spencer finished with over 200 yards on the ground.
On Basin’s next drive, the Cougars faked a punt and Spencer ran for 75 yards and the score. Logan Cochran handled the successful two-point conversion. Spencer scored a third time in the half on a 65-yard run. Bird scored another two point conversion before halftime.
In the third quarter, Spencer scored again on a 35-yard run. The two point conversion attempt failed. Basin led 30-12 at the third quarter buzzer.
In the fourth quarter, Basin scored again when Spencer intercepted a Pickett pass and returned it 10-yards. There was no two-point conversion.
Basin scored a final time in the game when Eli Graves scored a 55-yard touchdown and Callen Fowler scored the two point conversion.
Graves and Fowler were two of five eighth graders who made the trip for the Cougars. They all started as defensive backs in the second half. The others were Hudson Murphy, Ethan Hedden and Briar Hicks. “I felt like it was time for them to get some experience,” Coach Graves said.
Hicks started at defensive end in this game. “He had a lot of quarterback pressures. He was a step or two away from getting the quarterback. He got some hits on him,” Coach Graves said.
Coach Graves said all the eighth graders were nervous at first, but “once they figured out they could compete with Pickett County, I believe they played just how they normally do.” He added, that these eighth graders also contribute during practice on both sides of the ball.
Coach Graves said the Cougar defensive line played well. Junior Wyatt Holder had a forced fumble and a tackle for a loss. Dylan Beaver had a good game defensively too. “He’s anchored down our defensive line in the middle of the field. Cooper Floyd is the other anchor on the other side.
This game saw fewer penalties from the Cougars, and Coach Graves said they took care of the ball better, too. “It was a very clean game.” Basin’s penalty yard average is 40 per game. They had 15 in this game.
Coach Graves said the Cougars have had some injuries and he hopes they will be 100% when they play South Pittsburg this Thursday, October 23.
Basin will play again on the following Thursday, October 30, when they travel to Sale Creek.