The Shadow
After being moved a day up for their game, the Covington Cougars (0-6) in search of their first win of the 2022 season, had the visiting Grayson County Blue Devils (5-0) backs against the ropes as the Cougars led 8-7 after the first half.
Led by Elijah Gillespie, the Blue Devils would go onto score 22 unanswered points in the second half as they remained unbeaten on the season following a 29-16 road victory. The loss kept the Cougars searching for their first win.
Gillespie put together a two touchdown performance, including a 67 yard touchdown reception, and also had an interception on the defense side of the ball. Meanwhile, Austin Dowell threw two touchdowns in the win. Along with Gillespie’s interception on the defensive side of the ball, Chase Pool returned a blocked punt into the end zone for the score.
Desmond Jordan put together a 165 yard performance as he completed 15 of his 24 passes to go along with one touchdown and an interception for the Cougars.
Nearly half of Jordan’s passes were completed to Purcel Turner who reeled in six catches, and had two touchdowns including a 50 yard reception touchdown in which he broke two tackles heading to the end zone. Turner finished the game with 179 yards of offense and also converted two 2pt attempts, including completing his only pass attempt of the game, which came on his first 2pt conversion as he found the Covington High School homecoming king, Luke Conner in the end zone.
The unbeaten Blue Devils who came into their away matchup with the Cougars had been outscoring their opponents on average 37-13 a contest and put together four victories including wins over Marion and Rural Retreat, the Cougars had left them rattled after the first two quarters.
The Cougars who despite being winless, had been playing tough physical football all season long, brought that play over against the Blue Devils and had them early on.
After having a chance early on to put some points on the scoreboard, the Cougars ended up turning the ball over on downs in Blue Devils territory.
A few plays later, Dowell connected with Gillespie from 67 yards out as the Blue Devils put the first points of the game on the scoreboard.
Early on in the second quarter, Turner after falling short of the end zone the first time, would get into the end zone the second time around for the score. The Cougars then elected to go for the 2pt try. The ball was snapped to Turner who tossed the ball into the ball into the end zone for a successful 2pt conversion and the teams only lead.
In the second half, the Blue Devils looked like a completely different team.
Gillespie would fine the end zone from 42 yards to give the lead back to the Blue Devils. A few minutes later, the Blue Devils would find the end zone again as Dowell connected with William Gillock from 32 yards out.
The Blue Devils who had been struggling with not only moving the ball in the first half, but also putting points on the scoreboard in the first half, had already scored two third quarter touchdowns to take a 22-8 heading into the fourth quarter.
With just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils sealed the victory by blocking the Cougars punt as Poole recovered the ball and brought it into the end zone for the score. Following a made extra point, the Cougars now found themselves trailing 29-8.
In the final few minutes of the game, the Cougars would end their scoring drought as Jordan threw a laser pass to Turner who ran it into the end zone from 50 yards out, while breaking to tackles along the way to the end zone.
The Cougars are off this Friday, but will be back on the football field on October 14th, when they host district rival, the Narrows Green Wave.
SCORING PLAYS
First Quarter:
Grayson County – Gillespie 67 yard pass from Dowell (PAT) – 5:58, GCHS 7, CHS 0
Second Quarter:
Covington – Turner 1yd rush (2pt try successful, Conner pass from Turner) – 8:10, GCHS 7, CHS 8
Third Quarter:
Grayson County – Gillespie 42yd rush (2pt try successful, Gillespie rush) – 9:59, GCHS 15, CHS 8
Grayson County – Gillock 32 yd pass from Dowell (PAT) – 3:06, GCHS 22, CHS 8
Fourth Quarter:
Grayson County – Pool returns blocked punt to end zone (PAT is good) – 11:40, GCHS 29, CHS 8
Covington – Turner 50yd pass from Jordan (2pt try successful, Turner rush) – 2:56, GCHS 29, CHS 16
