Facing off with rival Wetzel County team, the Valley Lumberjacks, the Paden City Wildcats knew they would have their hands full going into Friday night’s game at home and it proved to be true with the 28-22 win coming out in favor of the Pine Grove team.

While the ‘Cats were celebrating in wanting to win the last home game of the eleven seniors on the team, the ‘Jacks needed the win to close out their 3-6 season.

“It was a good football game,” said Wildcat head coach Brent Croamun. “Both teams played hard. The only thing is, we didn’t win it.”

Valley struck pay dirt first with just under seven minutes to play in the first quarter as Casey Pingley ran five yards in for a Lumberjack TD. But before the quarter ended, the home team made some noise with a Peyton Hinkley 14 yard catch from Geoffrey Bidwell to put the score at 7-6.

Before the first half came to a close, Valley leaned on Pingley again to take the pigskin across the goal line for six followed by the extra point kick, distancing the visitors lead by eight, 14-6.

In the third period of play, Paden City turned on the heat, running senior back Taylor Still on a 49 yard run and a one yarder to take the lead in the game, 22-14.

The fourth quarter was all Valley however as they tacked on two more goals to take the eventual win, 28-22.

“The field conditions made it impossible for either team to do much passing successfully, and our linemen were basically ice skating out there,” Croasmun said. “They were basically neutralized because of the field.”

Valley had 13 first downs in the game, to Paden City’s 12. The Jacks rushed 41 times to gain 254 yards in the game and had nine passing yards for a total of 263 yards. Paden City had 45 rushes for 216 yards, and 11 passing yards for a total of 227 yards in the game.

Still led the Green in rushing yards with 36 carries for 184 yards, two touchdowns and two extra point runs. Geoffrey Bidwell carried the ball once for 36 yards.

In the passing department, Zach Heasley completed one of two and Bidwell made good on one-of-one for 14 yards, a touchdown pass to Peyton Hinkley.

Defensively, Jay Billiter was credited with 11 tackles and one fumble cause; Keith Hardbarger had 10 tackles, one fumble recovery; Hinkley, 10 tackles; Jared Stewart, nine tackles, one quarterback sack, and one fumble cause; Kyle Staton, nine tackles; Trey Leonard, eight tackles; and Bidwell, six tackles.

The Wildcats will play their last game of 2011 on Saturday at John Marshall as they face off with the 6-3 Bishops of Bishop Donahue at noon.