Middle school football: West Jefferson wins in OT

For The Madison Press

BALTIMORE — The visiting West Jefferson Middle School football team overcame the elements to post a 12-6 victory over visiting Liberty Union on Tuesday.

The teams ended the first half and regulation tied at 6.

On its second possession in overtime (the ’Riders held Liberty to a four-and-out to start), West Jefferson punched in the game-winner on a 5-yard run up the middle on a quarterback keeper by Tyler Clark.

“Coach Nick Houk told his offensive line, ‘I am putting this on you guys,’” ’Riders head coach Jeff Hockenbery said.

“Coach Cody Meyes’ defense was outstanding the entire game. They had several defensive stands inside our own 20-yard line.

“This game actually belongs to them and the offensive line. Coach Zack Olson working with his receivers and defensive backs made several touchdown- stopping tackles and made key catches on third-down plays.”

The Roughriders finally left Baltimore at 10:40 p.m. for the long, cold, wet ride home.

“This was a great game to be a part of,” Hockenbery said. “Coaching those kids to a win with all the things they had to overcome was simply amazing.

“High school coach Shawn Buescher has instilled in us as a middle school staff to teach those kids the fundamentals, techniques and preach to them to never quit.

“In this game, it was entirely all fundamentals and technique. Like coach Buescher, I am blessed with a young and great staff, two of them are former ’Rider players.”