The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – It was an electric atmosphere Friday night in Hot Springs.
Bath County was vying for the outright Pioneer District Championship and the team’s first unbeaten regular season in 20 years.
There was one last hurdle standing their way: a win over the defending district champions for the first time in six years.
The night however belonged to the reigning district champs as the Green Wave cruised to a 47-19 victory over the Chargers at Carl F. Williams Field.
The game took a drastic turn for the late in the second quarter. With Bath County trailing 20-13, junior standout Wyatt Campbell exited the game with an upper-body injury. Campbell would not return for the second half.
Without their leading scorer, Bath County couldn’t keep pace with Narrows as they were outscored 27-5 in the second half. The Green Wave scored 27 points unanswered.
Prior to the injury to Campbell, we had a tightly contested football game as both teams exchanged scores left and right.
With Bath County in front 7-6, Narrows committed their second turnover of the game to give the Chargers a chance to add more. However, the Green Wave altered the game early on by delivering a 14-point swing.
Following their second fumble recovery of the game, BCHS drove the football down to the field and into NHS territory. Campbell dropped back and fired the ball down the field into the end zone looking to connect with Ethan Bryant, however the ball came off the fingertips of Bryant and into the hands of Levi Smith for the interception.
A few plays later, Aiden Tiller scored from 13-yards out to put Narrows ahead 13-7.
Not letting momentum shift to the Green Wave, the Chargers responded with the second rushing score of the game from Wyatt as BCHS tied it at 13-13.
Kolier Pruett would put Narrows back in front before the end of the first half to give the Green Wave a 20-13 lead.
After losing their star quarterback, Bath County would not go away. On the opening drive in the second half the Chargers marched down the field on Narrows and put up six points following a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior Cooper Lowry to senior Andrew Turner.
Unfortunately, the opening second half drive by BCHS only built so much momentum as it was short-lived. The NHS offense and more specifically their defense stepped up and forced three turnovers that helped put 27 straight unanswered points, including a punt return for a score by Pruett.
Campbell led the Chargers offense with 127-yards rushing and two scores, while also forcing two fumbles on the defensive side of the football. Meanwhile, Turner led the team with three receptions for 27-yards and a score.
The 19 points scored was Bath County’s fewest of the season as they had not been held below 40 points all year.
Bath County was not only playing for the district title, but a win could have put them in position to jump the top-seeded Grayson County Blue Devils.
Despite the loss the Chargers will still host to a first-round Class 1, Region C playoff game this Friday as they play host to Galax. The Maroon Tide finished 6-4 overall and were second in the Mountain Empire District.
Friday’s regional first-round game will be at 7:00 p.m.
Narrows 13 7 13 14 – 47
Bath County 7 6 6 0 – 19
