Cougars Overstay Visit...Again

Cougars Overstay Visit...Again

By: CJ Harvey

September 2, 2012

     After a previous visit down to the southern tip of West Virginia to handily beat the Spartans of Greenbrier East, the Capital High Cougars received a lot of attention throughout the state. Not only did the emergence of Freshman Quarterback Tyhree Pratt shock the world, but the combination of a fast paced offense and extremely stout defense, is what struck fear into the hearts of many. Even the Daily Mail, who generally does not favor Capital High School in sports, gave the Cougar Gang the ranking of seventh best team in the state. So with everything beginning to go the old Blue and Gray’s way, could the team travel to St. Albans and beat the Red Dragons, who had 403 yards of offense last week in a loss to Riverside?

                

     It did not take long to turn things from good to horrible for Capital. On the first play from scrimmage James Richmond is taken out of the game from what looked to be an ankle injury; Richmond had injured his ankle earlier this week in practice. Capital ended that drive on a three and out. But before Capital could even think about what was wrong with their running back, Devon Tyson intercepts the ball from St. Albans Quarterback Taylor Clark, giving life to the slow starting Cougars. Pratt took the ball and one play later hit Kashaun Haley on a 53 yard pass, off a play action roll out. Like last week, using this momentum, Coach Carpenter’s team did not look back for one minute.  Tyrell Davis would step in for Richmond and did just fine doing so; Davis, on Capital’s next drive, scored the team’s first rushing touchdown of the night. He also finished the game with 53 rushing yards. To open the second quarter, like a flash in the night sky, Devon Tyson picks off his second pass from Taylor Clark, but takes this one all the way home for 6. St. Albans coming into the game supposedly had the better offensive line, which was proven false very quickly. The Cougar defensive line was too strong and too fast Capital would go on to win the game West Virginia style 61 to 34.

     With a large margin lead over the Red Dragon during most of the game, the team got to see some young talent step up and get to play, including running back Logan Priddy, receiver Rashaad Cunningham and tight end Khalil Bush all made nice plays. Bush had a beautiful double move, streak down the field to catch the longest pass of the game for a 63 yard touchdown. Logan Garrison is still perfect on extra pints going 12 for 12 on the season. Pratt finished the night with 230 yards in the air, totaling him at 449 total passing yards on the season, with 0 interceptions. Pratt also had a nice touchdown run, while totaling for 65 yards on the ground as well.

                

        The man of the night was definitely wide receiver Kashaun Haley. Haley had 4 touchdowns, 2 receiving and 2 on kick returns, and had over 300 total yards, including receiving, rushing, and kick return yards. I cannot help but watch him run around the field seemingly untouched and not keep telling those sitting around me how much he reminded me of Percy Harvin. Harvin has one of the fastest 40 yard dash times in NFL history, but that doesn’t define him as a player. What defines Harvin as a player is the fact he can do anything and everything, and he is really good at them all. Haley leads the team with receptions, receiving yards, kick return yards, touchdowns, all the while being the fourth leading rusher on the team. He does it all for the team and is why he is invaluable to the success of this year’s squad.

                 

       Capital is off next week, but do not fear I will return with more story lines heading into the September 14, home game against Princeton.