Many years ago, there was a Bob Dylan tune that was a huge top-40 hit. It went a little like this:

“The times, they are a-changin.”

The same can also be said of the Thomas Walker football program. After many lean years as a Virginia also-ran, the Pioneers have had a renaissance of sorts, opening the season at 4-1 after a 44-26 victory over the Harlan Green Dragons Friday night in Ewing.

However, the Dragons more than held their own for most of the night, churning up over 350 yards of offense behind the trio of Ethan Clem, Jayden Ward and Jon Eldridge and their “Wildcat” offense.

The Pioneers, led by their 6-5 quarterback Zack Kidwell and a spread option offense, ran the ball for over 400 yards of total offense and held the Dragons on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter to seal their victory.

In the first quarter, the Dragons took the ball and were held on downs. On their second play from scrimmage, the Pioneers’ Langley took a jet sweep 58 yards for a touchdown. Yeary’s extra point made the score 7-0 TWHS. Not to be outdone, Clem took a fourth-down scamper 75 yards for a score. Ward’s two-point conversion was good, giving HHS the lead 8-7.

The next TW possession ended in an Eldridge interception inside the five-yard line, but unfortunately, the next HHS snap sailed through the end zone for a Pioneer safety and giving the lead back to TW 9-8. After the Dragons punted, TW marched 20 yards in five plays, capped by a Ball touchdown. The conversion was no good and the Pioneers led 15-8.

Harlan answered on the next possession in one play with a 78-yard touchdown run by Clem. The conversion failed and HHS was down 15-14 at the end of a wild first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Dragons defense open up with another Eldridge interception of a Kidwell pass deep in HHS territory. Harlan marched down the field behind Ward, allowing Clem to complete a 5-yard touchdown on fourth down to give HHS their first lead at 20-15.

As play resumed in the third frame, the Dragons defense bowed their backs and held the Pioneers on downs. After three runs by Clem over 13 yards apiece, the Dragons fumbled and the Pioneers returned the ball 70 yards to inside the 20. After a Pioneer blocking penalty backed them up 15 yards, The Pioneers went in for the score on Ball’s second touchdown from four yards out to give TW back the lead 23-20.

Harlan answered yet again, this time on an Eldridge sweep for a 73-yard score to give the Dragons back the lead 26-23 at the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it was the Pioneers scoring first on a two-yard run by Ball. The extra point by Yeary was good and TW held the lead again at 30-26.

After a TW penalty gave the Dragons the ball at the Harlan 42, Harlan drove the ball deep into Pioneer territory. Disaster would again strike the Dragons as they fumbled after a big play from Clem. The Pioneers drove the length of the field and capped the drive on Ball’s fourth score, a two-yard scamper. Yeary’s kick was true and the Pioneers led 37-26.

After holding the Dragons on downs, the Pioneers tacked on a late score from Langley to set the final at 44-26.

Harlan (1-5) will play host to Williamsburg on Friday in the district opener for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

———

Thomas Walker 44, Harlan 26

HHS 14 6 6 0- 26

TW 15 0 8 21- 44

TW- Langley 43 run (Yeary kick)

H- Clem 75 run (Ward 2 point)

TW- Safety

H- Clem 78 run (conversion failed)

TW- Ball 2 run (conversion failed)

H- Mills 5 yard pass from Clem (conversion failed)

TW- Ball 4 run (Langley 2 point)

H- Eldridge 73 run (conversion failed)

TW- Ball 2 run (Yeary kick)

TW- Ball 2 run (Yeary kick)

TW- Langley 2 run (Yeary kick)