Despite some horrible playing conditions, the Grayson County Cougar football team moved to 7-1 on the season by holding on for a narrow, 7-6 win over Butler County last Friday in Morgantown.

Torrential rains the night before and steady rains during the day left the field in Morgantown with swamp-like conditions. The middle of the field, between the two 30-yard lines, had standing water everywhere. At either end of the field, inside the 20-yard lines, the footing was better, but neither team was able to reach those areas throughout most of the game. Grayson County’s only touchdown of the night came after a short Butler County punt set them up at the Bear 27-yard line.

The first half ended in a 0-0 tie. The Cougars had moved the ball early, going from their own 29 to the Bear 40, but a lost fumble ended that drive. On their next possession another fumble set the Bears up at the Cougar 37, the only time they were in Cougar territory.

For Grayson County, the game came down to two crucial elements... the defense and the leg of Hunter Gary. The Bears could get nothing done against the Cougar defense, which would have had another shutout if not for a breakdown in the special teams coverage which gave up the Bears’ only score of the night.

Gary, who had been injured at the end of the first half of the Bowling Green game the week before, was held out of this game with the exception of punting and kicking, and that turned out to be key.

Following the Cougars’ second fumble, the defense pushed the Bears back and forced them to punt. Grayson County took over on their own 22, but was unable to gain a first down.

Punting from his own 30, Gary got off a 55-yarder that died at the Bear 15. Grayson County was then able to keep the Bears penned up in their own end the rest of the half. Butler County’s final two possessions of the first half began at the 18 and the nine.

Neither team was able to do anything with their first possessions of the second half, but Gary came up big again when he was able to pin the Bears down at their own two-yard line. During the half, the rain had begun to fall again and the Bears were headed into a stiff wind.

Butler County could move the ball just two yards before having to punt. Bear quarterback Cole Tynes, who also does their punting, could only get the ball to the 27 and the Cougars were in great shape to get themselves on the board with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Aaron Deviney carried on first down to the 19, then earned a first-and-goal with a 12-yard run to the seven. Deviney gained three more before Cody Bertram carried to the two. On third down, Deviney took a pitch from quarterback Jake Clemons and skirted the right side for the only Cougar touchdown of the game with 1:55 left. Gary then came in to add the all-important extra point to make it 7-0.

It was important because on the ensuing kickoff, Butler County came up with its only big play. Senior running-back Eli Embry bobbled the kick at the five, but picked it up and found running room right up the middle. He broke into the clear and headed for the goal line. Junior Jacob Pierce looked like he had a shot to bring Embry down, but just could not get to him.

The Bears then set up for the tying extra-point, but the snap was low. Tynes, who was the holder, rolled out to his right and tried to pass for a two pointer, but his throw was picked off in the end zone and the Cougars still led with 1:36 left in the third quarter.

And that was all either team could muster. The fourth quarter was a punting exhibition. The Cougars did have one last opportunity in the fourth quarter when they recovered a fumbled backward pass at the Bear 16. They could only advance to the 12 and Gary came in to try a field goal, but his 29-yard attempt was short and off to the left.

Grayson County has perhaps its most important game of the season this coming Friday night as they will play host to district rival Warren Central (5-2, 1-0 District). The winner of this game will likely be the number-two seed in the district and will host a playoff game in the first round. The Senior-Night game is set to begin at 7 p.m.