HS Football: Midland Trail knocks off Nicholas County in a thriller

Football

October 04, 2025•3 min read

Jayden Roop rushes for 200 yards, scoring twice and was named Homecoming King

Hico - Although the series has been on and off over the years, victories over Nicholas County have not been a common occurrence for Midland Trail.

The last Patriots win over the Grizzlies came in back in 1993. Since then there have been nine setbacks including losses the last four years in a row.

That was until Friday night.

Under heavy pressure from senior Zander Ooten on the go-ahead two-point conversion, the Nicholas County pass attempt fell harmlessly to the ground, sealing a thrilling 20-19 win on Homecoming for the home squad.

As was expected coming into the contest, the clash was a back-and-forth heavyweight slug-fest.

Devin Nash staked the visitors to a 7-0 lead on a nine-yard run before Jayden Roop answered with a one-yard plunge later in the first period.

The Patriots took their initial lead midway through the second quarter when Rayce Dickerson found Gage Johnson for a 14-yard touchdown pass and a 13-7 lead.

Not to be outdone, Grizzlies signal-caller Coleton Hellems answered with a 42-yard scoring strike to Briar O'Dell, making it 13-13 game at the break.

Midland Trail took the ball to start the second half, but could not garner a first down on the opening drive and went into punt formation.

A bobbled snap led to a scramble, then a pitch to a teammate who was tackled short of the line to gain.

However, a 15-yard face-mask was called on the tackle, giving the Patriots a first down in Grizzlies territory.

Nicholas County would have had the ball at the Patriots 40-yard line before the penalty negated the turnover.

Roop made the Grizzlies pay with his second touchdown run, this one from 17 yards out and a 20-13 lead.

Nicholas County threatened to tie the contest late in the third quarter moving the ball deep into the red zone.

The Patriot defense, however, was up to the challenge, stopping the Grizzlies on fourth-and-goal from the four-yard line.

The stop was the first of two huge plays for the Trail defense in the second half.

With just over a minute to play in the game, Hellems found Brennan Smith for a 12-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to one point for Nicholas County.

The Grizzlies elected to go go for two and the win, but heavy pressure from Ooten blew up the attempt to seal the win.

Midland Trail recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock for the victory.

Roop finished the night with 200 yards on 36 carries and was also named Homecoming King at halftime.

The Patriots (5-1) are off next week before traveling to James Monroe. Nicholas County (2-3) hosts Bluefield at Memorial Stadium.

Midland Trail head coach Jeremy Moore talked about the win.