By Bill Templeton

Sports Writer

The injury-riddled Middlesboro football team fell to 0-3 on the season Friday night with a 14-13 home loss to Gate City (Va.) at Bradner Stadium/Lee Majors Field.

Two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter provided the eventual margin of victory for the visitors, but the Yellow Jackets battled until the end.

A 14-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Deakon Partin to freshman Kordell Partin pulled Middlesboro to with one point during the fourth quarter, but Gate City blocked the extra point attempt and stymied the Yellow Jackets for the balance of the game.

“We played our hearts out,” veteran Middlesboro coach Larry French said. “We were outmanned across the board, but the kids competed and battled until the end. I was pleased with our toughness.

“We have a lot of injuries, but I give kudos to my coaching staff for putting players into positions and how we hung in there.”

Deakon Partin’s first-quarter touchdown pass to senior Xavion Shehan opened the scoring and Sebastian Kyle’s extra-point kick staked the Yellow Jackets to a 7-0 lead at halftime.

Gate City then scored twice during a span over just over six minutes in the third quarter.

Eli Parsons (3 yards) and Walker Hillman (1 yard) converted for Gate City, and a two-point run by Corey Byrd following Hillman’s TD made it 14-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Deakon Partin passed for 114 yards on a five -for-14 performance. Shehan hauled in three passes for 74 yards, including the touchdown, while junior Malachi Coots (27 yards) and Kordell Partin (14 yards) also had a reception.

Middlesboro found the going tough on the overland route, rushing for just 15 yards on as many carries. Leading rusher, senior Vincent Smith, was held to net zero yardage on seven carries.

Gate City amassed 249 rushing yards and 40 yards through the air.

Middlesboro travels to Shelby Valley on Friday.

 

Gate City (Va.) 14, Middlesboro 13

Gate City — 0 0 14 0 — 14
Middlesboro — 7 0 0 6 — 13

M — Sheehan pass from D. Partin (Kyle kick)

GC — Parsons 3 run (conversion failed)

GC — Hillman 1 run (Byrd run)

M — K Partin 14 pass from D Partin (kick failed)