The Shadow
BRIDGEWATER – In a battle of the undefeated, the night belonged to the Turner Ashby Knights who advanced to the Region 3C football finals following a 44-20 regional semifinal victory over Alleghany this past Friday night in Bridgewater.
Heading into the game both teams came in evenly matched on paper and on the football field. Momentum was going to be the key to victory for either team as neither team had seen an opponent like the other had all season long.
While the score reads a blowout victory in favor of the Knights, the Cougars gave it a fighting chance and even controlled the first five minutes of the game.
Senior standout Beau Baylor could not be contained by Alleghany. The reigning Valley District Player of the Year rushed for a game-high 194-yards on 31 attempts and scored five rushing touchdowns. Baylor also had an interception.
On the game’s opening drive from Turner Ashby, the Knights moved the ball well into Alleghany territory following a pair of catches by Virginia Tech-signee Micah Matthews.
Looking to lock in the game’s first points Turner Ashby’s Zachary Grove’s pass was deflected and picked off by Brycen Griffith.
The Cougars would then use a 7-play drive that ended in an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Hunter Knighton from junior Des Jordan. AHS would fail to convert their 2pt attempt.
It was the first time this season that Turner Ashby trailed.
However, their deficit wouldn’t last.
Despite their forced turnover and quick touchdown, Alleghany with all the momentum riding on them, they could not capitalize on the moment.
On Turner Ashby’s next drive, their scoring deficit would be erased on one play in 11 seconds when Baylor broke loose on a 63-yard rushing touchdown. Following a made extra point, the Knights were in front for the first time and for good.
Midway into the first period Alleghany lost senior Xzavier Hayslett to what appeared to be an ankle injury. While Hayslett would eventually return towards the very end of the first half, the Cougars felt the ramifications of him not being on the field.
It was only a 7-6 scoring game heading into the second quarter. Despite the slim margin, Turner Ashby would score 16 points within a 7-minute period in the second to take a 23-6 lead, which included two more rushing touchdowns from Baylor.
Down, but not out, with under a minute remaining in the first half, Jordan connected with Knighton, who was wide-open for a 67-yard completion.
Looking to close out the first half with some momentum to build for the second half, the Cougars got themselves back on the scoreboard as Jordan connected with Knighton once again, this time from 10-yards out. AHS would convert their 2pt-attempt the second time around as Via caught a 3-yard pass from Jordan.
In a game all about momentum, Turner Ashby once again halted Alleghany’s.
Following their final-minute touchdown of the first half, the Cougars received the ball to open the second half. The Knights though stopped the Cougars and forced them to a three-and-out.
With the ball and looking to extend their lead, this time it was Alleghany, who came up big with a huge fourth down stop by Mark Hunter and Carter Nicely as Baylor tried to get 3-yards for a first down inside Cougar territory. Hunter and Nicely each had several big-play tackles for AHS.
Needing a big drive, Jordan helped Alleghany move the ball down the field and into Turner Ashby territory following multiple first down runs by Nicely. The drive would come to an unfortunate end when Jordan’s pass was picked off by Baylor.
Backed by their home crowd, Turner Ashby turned their forced turnover into points following a 12-play drive that resulted in Baylor’s fourth rushing score of the game as the Knights took a 29-14 lead with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Heading into the fourth quarter Alleghany was in a territory they had not been in all season, trailing going into the fourth. The Cougars barely even trailed this season, which is a testament to themselves as a team.
Turner Ashby would find the end zone twice more within the first four minutes of the fourth quarter as Baylor rushed for a 10-yard score and Grove connected with Matthews for a 19-yard touchdown as the Knights increased their lead to 44-14.
In the game’s final seconds Jordan tossed his 34th touchdown pass of the season as he connected with Hayslett one final time as the senior reeled in his 14th touchdown of the year.
Jordan finished the game 11-for-21 for 142-yards to go along with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The junior quarterback had only thrown three total interceptions all season long heading into the regional semifinals.
Knighton led the Cougars in receiving with 99-yards on five catches and a pair of touchdown receptions. Hayslett and Jay Godfrey each had a pair of catches.
Nicely added 73-yards rushing on 19 attempts. Meanwhile Joseph Rogers blocked an extra point.
