Happy Valley picked up a key Region 1-2A victory on Friday night.
The Warriors outlasted Cumberland Gap for a 35-32 victory on the road.
HV jumped out early.
Joseph Sowards scored on a three-yard touchdown to give HV a 7-0 lead four minutes into the first quarter.
The Panthers countered with an 11-yard QB keeper from Brayden Painter, but the extra point was unsuccessful as HV took a 7-6 lead into the second quarter.
Sowards struck again for HV four minutes into the second quarter – this time from 30 yards out – as HV pushed the lead to 13-6.
Reagan Ensor extended the Warrior lead later in the quarter with a 20-yard touchdown run. Ensor added the two-point conversion to push HV to a 21-6 lead.
After Cumberland gap scored with 1:29 left n the half, Jamie Esterline took the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for the touchdown.
The Warrior defense kept the Panthers out of the endzone in the closing seconds as HV held a 27-14 lead at the half.
Cumberland Gap, however, didn’t go quietly.
The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to trim the HV lead to 27-20 after three complete quarters, and an early touchdown in the fourth closed the gap to one point.
Ensor countered the Cumberland Gap touchdown with a two-yard score and he also hit Esterline for the two-point conversion as HV took a 35-26 advantage with just under six minutes left in the game.
Cumberland Gap scored with 2:34 left to play, but HV was able to hold on in the closing minutes to preserve the win.
