The Shadow
COVINGTON – Alleghany is now in the driver’s seat towards a Three Rivers District title as the Cougars blew out Glenvar 34-7 Friday night at Casey Field in Covington.
It was set to be the battle of the unbeaten. The juggernaut of the district in Alleghany and Glenvar who entered Friday’s game 6-0, while also along the way both defeating the reigning Class 2 State Champion Radford Bobcats.
At the beginning of the game, it sure seemed like it would be the game we expected to see which was a tightly contested game as no points were put on the scoreboard in the first quarter as both teams had a stellar defense game and a counter at that.
After it took some time for each team to get the feel of the other, Alleghany would let Glenvar hear the roar as the Cougars were the first to put points on the scoreboard around midway in the second quarter when Des Jordan needed only 1-yd to find the end zone.
The junior quarterback finished the game with four total touchdowns in the win as two went in the air and the other two on the ground. Jordan was nearly perfect in the pass-attack completing 20 of his 23 throws and had 272-yds in the air alone.
Once Alleghany grabbed that first score and got going, they never looked back and most importantly never let up.
With only a few minutes remaining in the first half and pinned back at their own 1-yard line to start the drive, Alleghany only needed a few plays before getting back on the scoreboard as Jordan on a play-action found a wide-open Hunter Knighton for a 71-yd touchdown reception. Knighton finished with a season-high 119-yds receiving on five catches.
The Cougars were now rolling and took a 14-0 lead following a made extra point by Mason Hale.
As halftime was approaching and knowing Glenvar would get the ball to open the second half, Sarge Persinger did everything he could do to let the Highlanders know they had no momentum coming out for the second half as Persinger delivered a sack to end the half all while keeping the Alleghany momentum going.
In the third quarter both teams would feel each other out like they did in the first quarter. It would take some time but Alleghany kept the pedal moving around the four minute mark as Jordan reached the end zone for a second time as he scored from 8-yds out to help build a 20-0 lead.
Less than three minutes later, Carter Nicely who torched Glenvar on the ground, scored from 6-yds out as Alleghany took a commanding 27-0. Nicely finished the game with 168-yds rushing on 28 attempts.
Trailing by their largest deficit of the season, Glenvar continued not having any answers in not solving the Alleghany offense and defense as well.
On 4th-and-3 from the 6-yard line during the fourth quarter, Alleghany would put Glenvar to bed as Jordan tossed his second to touchdown of the game this time by connecting with Xzavier Hayslett from 15-yds out. Hayslett reeled in a game-high eight receptions and 91-yds receiving.
Glenvar had opportunities moving the ball into Alleghany territory a few times during the game, but costly penalties would take the Highlanders out of position to make any noise to get any sort of momentum going. As the game was well out of reach at 34-0, the Highlanders put up their only points of the game with under three minutes remaining when Peyton Deel reeled in a touchdown from Brody Dawyot.
With only three games left to go in the regular season, Alleghany will play Patrick County, James River (Buchanan), and Floyd County, have a combined 9-13 record, the Cougars path to the district championship is theirs for the taking.
Alleghany (7-0, 3-0 Pioneer) is on the road against Patrick County this Friday.
Second Quarter
AHS: Jordan 1 run (Hale kick), 6:44
AHS: Knighton 71-yd pass from Elliott (Hale kick), 6:44
Third Quarter
AHS: Jordan 8 run (Hale kick), 2:54
AHS: Nicely run 6-yds (0:57)
Fourth Quarter
AHS: Hayslett 15-yd pass from Jordan (Hale kick), 8:23
GHS: Deel pass from Dawyot (kick), 2:27
