The Shadow
Quicksburg, Va. (VR)- The Bath County Chargers opened their varsity football season in commanding fashion Friday night, shutting out the Stonewall Jackson Generals 36-0 in a lopsided contest that showcased the Chargers’ ground game and defensive prowess.
From the opening whistle, Bath County set the tone with a punishing rushing attack led by senior running back Ethan Bryant who repeatedly found seams in the Generals’ defense. Bryant’s relentless running resulted in multiple first downs and two touchdowns, helping the Chargers build an early lead they would never relinquish.
The Chargers struck first midway through the opening quarter, with Bryant capping off a methodical drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. Although the ensuing extra point was blocked by Stonewall Jackson, Bath County led 6-0 and never looked back.
On the next possession, the Chargers’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, and a blocked punt by Owen Purdue set up Bath County deep in Generals territory. Hunter Kirby, the Chargers’ versatile quarterback, kept the drive alive with a series of option runs before Bryant punched in his second touchdown of the night from nine yards out. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Bath County extended its lead to 12-0. Stonewall Jackson struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the first half, hampered by penalties and a swarming Chargers’ defense. Naimen Garrett, the Generals’ primary ball carrier, was repeatedly met in the backfield by a host of Bath County defenders, including a standout performance from Jeremy Burns.
Late in the second quarter, Bath County’s offense struck again. Kirby engineered a drive that featured a key completion to Isaac Phillips and a series of tough runs by Bryant. Kirby then called his own number, scampering into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was stopped, but the Chargers entered halftime with a commanding 18-0 lead.
The halftime break featured a performance by the Marching Generals and a spirited cheer from the SJHS cheerleaders, as the home crowd looked for a spark to ignite a comeback. However, Bath County’s linemen continued to stifle the Generals in the second half, winning the battle in the trenches by forcing turnovers on defense and opening up huge running lanes on the offense.
In the third quarter, Bryant added his third touchdown of the night, this time from two yards out, pushing the Chargers’ lead to 24-0. The Generals’ best scoring opportunity came late in the third, when a long pass completion to Ko Franklin set up first-and-goal at the one-yard line. But Bath County’s defense held firm, stuffing four straight running plays to preserve the shutout. The Chargers’ offense continued to roll in the fourth quarter. Kirby connected with Jake Boguess for a 30-yard touchdown pass, and although the two-point conversion was intercepted by the Generals cornerback Ko Franklin,
Bath County’s lead swelled to 36-0. As the final minutes ticked away the Chargers’ defense closed out the game with another goal-line stand. The final whistle sounded with Bath County celebrating a 36-0 victory, their first of the season.
“We wanted to come out strong and set the tone for the season,” said Chargers head coach Jake Phillips. “Our guys executed the game plan, and I’m proud of the way they played on both sides of the ball.” Bryant finished with over 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while Kirby added a rushing and passing score.
The Chargers’ defense forced multiple turnovers and held the Generals to under 100 yards of total offense. In addition to the on-field action. Bath County (1-0) will look to build on their momentum next week as they travel to Buffalo Gap for a Friday night matchup. Stonewall Jackson (0-1) will regroup and prepare for their next contest against the now (1-0) Nelson County Governors. The scoreboard in this week one matchup ended completely in Bath’s favor with a final score of Bath County 36, Stonewall Jackson 0.
