The Cumberland Gap Middle School football team played host to rival Claiborne Middle for what was a most memorable game. The Panthers celebrated their eighth graders along with their parents before the game began and although it looked like it was going to rain at any moment, the bulk of the rain held off to halftime. The Panthers struck first when Jacob Tinnel ran it in and after the conversion was good by Neil Bunch the Panthers led 8-0.
The Bulldogs first drive featured Elijah Poore doing the bulk of the rushing as he began to rack up the yardage. That drive ended with a turnover on downs but the Panthers fumbled the ball right back to the Bulldogs deep in their own territory with a new set of downs. A few plays later, Aden Roark found the end zone and got the Bulldogs right back in the game. The conversion was good and the game was tied at eight.
The rain finally started to fall near halftime and it only got worse in the second half. The two teams went into the halftime break tied at eight.
During the third quarter, the Bulldogs were driving and had the ball deep into the Panthers territory as the quarter came to an end but a gutsy pass play call in the rain seconds into the final quarter paid off with a Bulldogs touchdown in the hands of Corbin Whitaker. Roark made the two point conversion and the Bulldogs had their first lead at 16-8.
Everyone knew the Panthers were not going down without a fight and the offense started running the ball but the Bulldogs defense was aggressive tonight and made big play after big play. The rain only got harder and made it rough on the Panthers offense and the game clock ticked down to all zeros with Claiborne getting the 16-8 win. It was a game that every player and fan will remember due to the conditions.
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