By Staff
by daniel hodgeMbr
sports writer
The Opp Bobcats entered Friday’s game searching for revenge for last years defeat at the hands of the Blue Eagles. The Bobcats got exactly what they wanted as they came out on the winning end of a close 16-14 game.
The Bobcats looked impressive on the game’s opening drive as it marched down into Blue Eagle territory. The drive consumed more than half of the first quarter and was fueled by two key fourth down conversion rushes by Josh Scarbrough. With the ball down to the Blue Eagle 34-yard line, the Bobcats were faced with another fourth down. The third time was definitely the charm for the Blue Eagle defense as it came up with a big fourth down stop.
The Blue Eagle offense created some spark of its own as it marched down into Bobcat territory via several Taylor Cash to Jeremy Nicholson receptions. However, the Blue Eagle offense was stalled on the Bobcat 31-yard line as a Blue Eagle receiver dropped the fourth down pass.
The Blue Eagle defense picked right back up where it left off. With the Bobcats controlling the football at its own 31-yard line, quarterback Cody Hall fumbled, and Xavier Singleton quickly pounced on the ball to give the Blue Eagle offense great field position.
The Blue Eagles were not going to pass up a prime chance of striking first as it used just two plays to reach the end zone. On second down from the Bobcat 26-yard line, Cash faked the handoff and found Donald Peacock wide open for the touchdown. Akeem Green’s extra point kick was good giving the Blue Eagles the early lead at 7-0 with 10:09 left in the first half.
Following a good kickoff return to midfield, the Bobcat offense was not going to bow down as easy as it did on its first two possessions. The Bobcats used ten plays and nearly five minutes off of the clock to even the score.
The offense was both consistent and reliable as seven different Bobcats touched the ball on their way to the end zone. Scarbrough capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown plunge.
Hunter Jones’ PAT kicked tied the score at 7 with 5:19 left in the second quarter.
The Blue Eagle offense looked to match the Bobcat offense, but all hopes came crashing down as a Cash lateral pass glanced off of a receiver’s hands and onto the ground where Albert Wilson scooped up the ball and dashed into the end zone for the 28-yard touchdown. Jones’ extra point kick was blocked and left the score at 13-7 with 3:34 remaining in the first half.
Both teams had one last shot at a late first half score, but each came up unsuccessful.
The Blue Eagles emerged from the locker room with much more intensity than it had in the first half. The Blue Eagles used eight plays and nearly five minutes to regain the lead.
The drive was aided by a key Cash to Nate Sheffield 17-yard third down conversion that moved the ball down to the Bobcat six-yard line. On the ensuing play, Sheffield grabbed the handoff and scampered into the end zone for the touchdown.
Sheffield’s carry and Green’s kick gave the Blue Eagles the lead at 14-13.
The Bobcats managed little on the following drive and was forced to punt for the first time in the game.
Much like the Bobcats, the Blue Eagle offense was stopped after just three plays and was forced to punt.
Following the Blue Eagle punt, the Bobcat offense strung together the game’s most impressive drive.
The Bobcat offense marched 79 yards on 15 plays gaining five first downs before being faced with a difficult fourth down and seven to go from the Blue Eagle nine-yard line. With 5:08 left in the game, the Bobcats elected to attempt the 26-yard field goal. The decision paid off as Jones nailed the kick to give the Bobcats the lead at 16-14.
The Blue Eagle offense had two final chances to score but came up on the short end as the Bobcats came out on top by the score of 16-14.
The Blue Eagles remain at home as it hosts Monroe County in very important region 1 match up. Monroe County is coming off of a difficult 34-6 setback against a much larger Greenville team.