After so much had gone so right Thursday night for Polk County, things fell apart all too quickly for the Wolverines.

A seven-minute spurt of 32 Mountain Heritage points proved Polk County’s undoing, the Cougars going on to post a 51-15 victory on Senior Night in G.M. Tennant Stadium.

As a regional television audience watched, Mountain Heritage (8-1, 4-0) clinched a share of its fourth straight Western Highlands Conference title and can claim the crown outright next week with a victory over Avery.

Polk County dropped to 2-8, 1-3 and left a rainy W.J. Miller Field for the last time this season with some what-ifs and might-have-beens.

Perhaps fueled by the emotion of Senior Night, the Wolverines dominated the first quarter, driving 73 yards in 14 plays following the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead on Avery Edwards’ 3-yard run. Bryce Jergenson had a pair of 13-yard runs during the drive, which took more than six minutes.

“About midway through the second quarter it was 8-7,” said Polk County head coach Bruce Ollis. “Then the ball got rolling against us and we didn’t make plays. But, boy, that first drive, I think it was 15 plays and a touchdown. Went just like clockwork, we overcame some adversity with a penalty and still came back and scored. We made them punt the first time, too.

“We did a lot of things well, but we’re just not doing enough things. We’re still turning the ball over. I think we turned it over three times tonight, and that’s a thorn in your side when you’ve got to possess the ball against an explosive Mountain Heritage team.”

Jake Autrey rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries and added the 47-yard touchdown reception to lead the Mountain Heritage offense, which played without senior Jacob Mashburn after he was injured on Polk County’s opening drive. Quarterback Callin Randolph threw for 106 yards on 4-of-8 attempts and also ran for 47 yards.

Mitchell Yoder rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 47 yards to lead the Wolverines, who will close out the regular season next week at Madison.

– Submitted by PolkSports.com