All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Football Little Bucs tumble in opener to Washington Irving

Aiden Snyder (2) of the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School Little Bucs turns the ball up field Thursday in their debut against Washington Irving. Trailing the play for the Little Bucs is Caiden Keener (73). (Bobbie Hatcher/My Buckhannon)

TENNERTON – It was a rematch of last year’s Mid-8 Conference championship game between the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School Little Bucs and the Washington Irving Hilltoppers in the debut for both football teams Thursday evening at Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium.

With the Little Bucs in full rebuild mode this year under first-year head coach Sloan Baisden after losing over 25 eighth graders from last year, the team has trouble moving the ball in their opener compiling just seven yards in a 30-0 setback.

The Hilltoppers took an 18-0 lead at the half as Isaac Barksdale scored on an 18-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Elijah Holmes scored on a six-yard run and Sean Adams ran in a reverse for a 12-yard score in the second quarter.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Washington Irving scored two more times on a Barksdale 20-yard run and a 27-yard touchdown scamper by Brody Henning.

Washington Irving collected 284 yards of offense getting 240 on the ground and 44 through the air.

The Little Bucs gained 13 yards on the ground and lost six through the air for seven yards of total offense.

Brian Smith led the Little Buc offense with 18 yards on three carries while Aiden Snyder gained 11 yards on three attempts.

The Little Bucs will be back in action next Wednesday visiting the Elkins Green Hornets for a 6:30 p.m. start.

The boxscore:

Washington Irving 6  12  0  12 – 30

Buckhannon-Upshur 0  0  0  0 – 0

(Scoring)
Washington Irving
– Isaac Barksdale, 18-yard run (pass failed)

Washington Irving – Elijah Holmes, 6-yard run (pass failed)

Washington Irving – Sean Adams 12-yard run (pass failed)

Washington Irving – Barksdale, 20-yard run (pass failed)

Washington Irving – Brody Henning, 27-yard run (run failed)

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs – Washington Irving: 12 (11 rushing, 1 passing, 0 penalty); Buckhannon-Upshur: 4 (2 rushing, 0 passing, 2 penalty).

Rushing yards – Washington Irving: 22-240; Buckhannon-Upshur: 22-13.

Passing yards – Washington Irving: 44; Buckhannon-Upshur: (-6).

Total yards – Washington Irving: 284; Buckhannon-Upshur: 7.

Passes – Washington Irving: 2-5-1; Buckhannon-Upshur: 1-3-0.

Penalties – Washington Irving: 10-70; Buckhannon-Upshur: 2-15.

Punts – Washington Irving: 0-0.0; Buckhannon-Upshur: 1-14.0.

Fumbles – Washington Irving; 0; Buckhannon-Upshur: 4.

Fumbles lost – Washington Irving: 0; Buckhannon-Upshur: 2.

All-return yards – Washington Irving; 56; Buckhannon-Upshur: 97.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Washington Irving – Isaac Barksdale 9-129 (2 touchdowns); Brody Henning, 3-53 (1 touchdown); Elijah Holmes 3-27 (1 touchdown); Jaxsen Thomas 6-13; Sean Adams 1-12 (1 touchdown); Jayden Gentell 1-6. Totals 23-240 (5 touchdowns).

Buckhannon-Upshur – Brian Smith 3-18; Aiden Snyder 3-11; Brock Woodson 4-8; Alex Wamsley 1-2 Braylon Oldaker 2-(-2); Isaiah Cole 9-(-24). Totals 22-13.

Passing

Washington Irving – Holmes 1-for-2 for 36 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception; Brodie Stout 1-for-3 for 8 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. Totals 2-for-5 for 44 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception.

Buckhannon-Upshur – Cole 1-for-3 for (-6) yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.

Receiving

Washington Irving – Adams 1-36; Holmes 1-8. Totals 2-44.

Buckhannon-Upshur – Oldaker 1-(-6). Totals 1-(-6).

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