EAST FLAT ROCK – East Henderson’s scoreboard never worked Friday night, not that it mattered much at game’s end.

The relief flowing from Polk County’s sidelines said all that was needed about the final outcome.

The Wolverines scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to hand East Henderson a 24-13 defeat at E.L. Justus Field and snap a three-game losing streak.

Plagued both by injuries and a determined East Henderson team (0-4) that made good use of its bye week, Polk County still found the resolve to fight back from a 13-10 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Dillon Overholt scored on a pair of 1-yard runs as the Wolverines (2-3) won for the first time since the season opener at Chase.

“Every time we faced some adversity, we were able to overcome it,” said Polk County head coach Jamie Thompson. “We’ve been injury stricken. . . but had some kids step up and fill some roles who did a good job.

“I’m happy as can be about this win. The kids needed it. We start conference next week, and going in on a win is big for us.”

East Henderson took a 13-10 lead early in the third quarter, and an interception in the end zone later in the period stopped a Polk drive. But the Wolverines got the ball back moments later when Landon White recovered an East Henderson fumble at the 34.

The Wolverines drove the 34 yards in nine plays, a leaping catch by Josh Chupp of an Overholt pass for an 11-yard gain key to the possession. Overholt plunged into the end zone with 9:23 remaining in the fourth period and Wyatt Derkach added the extra point for a 17-13 lead.

Chupp intercepted an East Henderson pass on the Eagles’ next possession, giving the Wolverines the ball at the East 40. Polk converted a pair of third downs, one aided by an East penalty, before Overholt again snuck into the end zone from the 1. Derkach’s extra point made it 24-13 with 3:58 left in the game.

Overholt intercepted an East pass on the Eagles’ next drive to effectively end any hopes East had of a comeback.

“We finally finished some drives,” Thompson said. “They showed they have some resolve. After we went down 13-10, we were able to score 14 unanswered points. That’s the way we want to finish.”

Polk County built a 10-0 lead, Jaymes Wingo scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:16 left in the first period and Derkach kicking a 28-yard field goal with 7:06 left in the second quarter.

East Henderson closed to 10-7 late in the second quarter as Preston Owens hit Luke McCall for a 17-yard score with 24 seconds left in the half, then took a 13-10 lead in the third period as Owens teamed with Beau Shealy on a 76-yard catch-and-run for another score and the lead.

Polk County, though, would own the fourth quarter, lifting the Wolverines to the win.

Overholt rushed for 146 yards and completed 7-of-12 passes for 78 yards to lead the Wolverines. Wingo rushed for 72 yards on 12 carries and Storm Wheeler added 29 yards on 12 attempts.

Polk County begins Western Highlands Conference play next Friday, traveling to Madison for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

– article submitted by PolkSports.com