By Allen Kha/Scrimmageplay.com Contributor
LOVINGSTON — Nelson County certainly knows how to score this season, putting up a total of 60 points in the past two games. Unfortunately for the Governors, they’re struggling to stop anyone from doing much of the same.
After allowing 55 points against Riverheads last week, Nelson County gave up 56 in its home-opener against Madison County Friday, losing 56-27.
The Mountaineers opened the scoring account less than four minutes into the game when a streaking junior wide receiver Travis Warren caught a perfectly placed ball from sophomore quarterback Dustin Farmer and scampered into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown reception.
That quick drive foreshadowed the rest of the game, which Madison dominated. Farmer aired it out against the Governors’ defense in the first half for three touchdowns and 214 passing yards and propelled Madison County to a 21-7 halftime lead.
Senior running back Ralph Yates assumed the offensive torch from Farmer in the second half as the Mountaineers expanded on their 21-7 halftime lead, running all over the Governors’ defense for 99 yards and three touchdowns in the second half
“All the credit goes to the offensive line for creating lanes I could literally [sleepwalk] through, but I’m ready to step up. We got into an offensive tempo and didn’t hold back,” Yates said.
Nelson County, unlike the Mountaineers, was barely able to get into an offensive tempo throughout the game. The Governors’ only points in the first half came from senior linebacker Trevor Martin’s 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and the second half was a similar struggle despite the 20-point output.
Losing star senior rusher Quincy Murphy early in the game with a leg injury and then senior starting quarterback James Saunders in the middle of the third quarter certainly didn’t help the Governors’ cause.
“Losing [Murphy] as well all of other guys who went out definitely hurt our game plan. We came into the game planning to run the ball, but had to move to a spread when Quincy went out. From there, we were uncomfortable,” said Nelson coach Mark Wells.
Wells was given reason to be optimistic though when sophomore backup quarterback Tyler Vest stepped up after Saunders left the game. Vest rushed for 115 yards and two rushing touchdowns on nine carries, adding speed and spark the Governors’ offense previously lacked.
“James and Tyler battled it out for the starting [quarterback] position in the preseason. Tyler certainly added some spark, and we may consider running a two-quarterback system in the coming days,” Wells said. “[Nonetheless,] we lost this game because we couldn’t tackle, really. It’s tough when their players bounce out, and we lack the proper pursuit angles and technique for tackling.”
Madison County coach Stuart Dean was similarly tempered about his team’s performance.
“We performed as a team today, and that’s the most important part. We still have to work on [reducing] turnovers, but we won today and we’ll get back to practice soon. There’s plenty to work on,” Dean said.
Yates, on the other hand, was all smiles post-game after someone commented that he looked eerily like Oregon State Beavers star running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
“I’m no Jacquizz, but I guess I did my best impression tonight,” Yates said.
