DISAPPOINTING LOSS

 Williamsburg suffered a disappointing loss to the Pineville Mountain Lions Friday night. The Lions came from behind to post a 26-22 victory.

Pineville Coach Bart Elam made a move before the game that may have caught the Yellow Jackets off guard when they moved receiver Eric Raby to fullback to take some pressure off senior running back Cody Hendrickson. Whether that strategy worked or it was a lack to Yellow Jacket pride, the Lions were able to pull off the upset.

Williamsburg looked as if they might run away from the Lions in the early going when senior Travis Thomas scored on a 15-yard run with 11:03 in the opening period. A Logan Hamblin pass to senior J.P. Payne gave the Yellow Jackets an 8-0 lead.

Thomas added another score with 4:08 left in the second quarter and Hamblin connected with Payne once again on the conversion for a 16-0 score.

However, the game was hardly over as Pineville struck pay dirt on a 64-yard run. Jamie Roan hit Raby on the conversion, cutting the Jackets lead to 16-8.

A fumble by Hamblin saw Raby scoop up the ball and outrun the Yellow Jackets 39 yards for a touchdown. The Lions missed the conversion attempted and Williamsburg held onto a 16-14 lead at the half.

Pineville (7-3) took the lead in the third period when they marched down the field on the opening drive of the second half. Raby punched the ball in from three yards out as the Lions took a 20-16 lead in the game.

Williamsburg (6-4) regained the lead early in the fourth quarter when senior Kevin Hoffman broke loose for a 67-yard run to the house. The conversion failed, but the Jackets owned a 22-20 lead.

The Jackets held on the ensuing Pineville possession, but an interception by Raby, set up the winning touchdown. The Lions drove the ball down to the six-yard line where Roan hit tight end Byron Asher with a touchdown that put Pineville ahead, 26-22.

Williamsburg couldn’t get its offense in gear and was stopped on two fourth down occasions allowing the Lions to take the hard-fought win.

It will be a battle of Jackets Friday night when Williamsburg hosts the Blue Jackets of Nicholas County in the first-round of the playoffs. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Pineville 26, Williamsburg 22

Pineville            0  14   6   6- 26

Williamsburg            8    8   0   6- 22

WHS- Travis Thomas 15 run (J.P. Payne from Logan Hamblin)

WHS- Thomas 2 run (Payne from Hamblin)

PHS – Cody Hendrickson 64 run (Raby pass from Jamie Roan)

PHS – Raby 39 fumble return (run failed)

PHS – Raby 3 run (run failed)

WHS – Kevin Hoffman 67 pass from Hamblin (pass failed)

PHS – Byron Asher 6 pass from Roan (run failed)