Polk County Middle’s football team returned to the field Thursday in a big way.
The Wolverines traveled to Mills River and knocked off Blue Ridge Conference East Division leader Rugby, handing the Raiders their first loss of the season in a 20-18 triumph.
Rugby (4-1) took an early 6-0 lead, but Polk Middle (2-3) responded with a touchdown pass from Hollis Williams to Kayden Pressley. Williams then tossed another pass to Matthew Sokil for the 2-point conversion and an 8-6 Polk lead.
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Harley Earley then stopped a Rugby drive just before halftime with an interception to keep the Wolverines on top at the break.
Williams forced a fumble on Rugby’s opening drive in the third quarter, then delivered another touchdown pass to Pressley to give Polk a 14-6 advantage.
The Raiders pulled within 14-12 before Williams uncorked a long touchdown run to boost the lead to 20-12. With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Rugby capped a long drive with a touchdown, but failed on the 2-point try, keeping the Wolverines’ lead at 20-18.
Polk recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt, but turned the ball over on downs to Rugby with 27 seconds left and the Raiders in Polk territory. But the Wolverine defense held firm, with Riley Morgan ending the game with a sack.
Polk Middle will return home on Thursday, hosting Hendersonville at 5 p.m. in its regular-season finale.
