The Shadow
On Thursday night, October 12th, the Junior Varsity (JV) Cougars Football team geared up for a head-to-head battle against the Glenvar Highlanders. On this, their last home game —because James River already forfeited the game that was initially scheduled for October 26th — there was a somber feeling in the air following the game fans and players alike hoped would extend their undefeated season. Nerves were tested and tears shed as the crowd slowly trickled out of the stadium. To say the home team felt the blue on their uniforms would be an understatement.
The game itself was a difficult one to watch. Fans have looked on all season as this team put in the work to be the best they could be, and it was evident they expected to secure a victory against the Highlanders. They had all the potential and steam to do so, but it seemed as though the turnovers and penalties played a huge part in the Cougars slowly losing steam throughout the game.
A.J. Godfrey and Brady May led in ball carries last night, both racking up yards throughout the game. Time after time, both teams got close to the endzone, but neither could put points on the board for roughly 8 minutes in the first 10-minute quarter. Then, with 2:07 remaining on the clock, Glenvar would score and the Point(s) After Touchdown (PAT) would be good, giving Glenvar a 7-0 lead.
The Cougars then received the ball upon kickoff, looking to answer the Highlands and put some points on the board. However, after an Alleghany fumble, Glenvar would recover the ball and run in another touchdown. The extra point kick was good, and the Highlanders pulled further ahead at 14-0. With 1:54 remaining on the clock in the first quarter, that put the Highlanders at 14 points in 14 seconds. It would be difficult for the most experienced athletes to mentally recover from.
Early in the second quarter, Glenvar intercepted the ball from Alleghany. The Highlanders were able to capitalize on the turnover and turn it into another touchdown, putting them at a 21-0 lead with 7:02 remaining in the first half of the game.
The remainder of the second quarter was uneventful until, with 41 seconds left on the clock, freshman Kenton Kirby intercepted the ball for the Alleghany Cougars! With only seconds remaining, fans bit their nails in anticipation, hoping there would be just enough time for the Cougars to pull some magic out of their hats. It was a lot of pressure on our guys in blue and, after a successful pass to Haiden Nicely that took Alleghany to midfield, it left merely 9 seconds. It was enough for one more play, but not quite enough to give the Cougars the advantage they needed to capitalize on the turnover. Alleghany went into the half still trailing 21-0.
After an enthusiastic halftime performance by the JV cheerleaders consisting of dancing, a cheer, and a couple of stunts, the Cougars were back on the field with a new fire! Though the Highlanders got within 20 yards of scoring another possible touchdown, the defense was ready. After nearly picking off one pass, the Cougars would swipe another one when Kenton Kirby nabbed his second interception of the game and gave Alleghany the ball.
The Cougars moved the ball well during the possession, quickly getting to midfield and then handing off to AJ Godfrey, who ran for about 30 yards before getting tackled inside the 15-yard-line. Godfrey would carry the ball again and get taken down at the 4-yard-line. On the next carry, it was Brady May for the Alleghany Cougar touchdown. The Cougars opted to go for the 2-point-conversion, with quarterback Brycen Griffith passing the ball to Haiden Nicely in the endzone. It was good. This put the score to 21-8, Glenvar.
That touchdown would be the only touchdown the Cougars put up for the game.
Although there were several times Alleghany would hold the line, Glenvar would receive another interception and recover another fumble early in the fourth quarter. In both instances, they were able to capitalize on the turnovers and put points on the board, leaving them with a lead of 34-8 with 7:28 remaining on the game clock. There were also several penalties called throughout the game, most of which were against the Alleghany Cougars, and most of which were calls for being offsides. At one point, things got a little heated on the field between both teams, flags were thrown, and both teams were called for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, the situation was quickly diffused, and the game continued.
Within minutes, the Highlanders put up their last touchdown of the game. With 4:36 remaining in the game, the Cougars trailed 8-41. No more points were put up by either team for the remainder of the game. On the sidelines, players hung their heads, some shed tears, and others shook their heads in frustration.
Though the game didn’t turn out the way fans and players hoped, it was evident this JV team left their hearts and souls on the field. I don’t think we could ask them for anything more.
There remains one game left in the season against Patrick County. It will be an away game which will take place on Thursday night, October 19th at 6:00 p.m.
