The Shadow
Covington, Va (VR) Under the bright lights of their home field and before a packed homecoming crowd, the Alleghany Cougars delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating the Stuarts Draft Cougars 41-16 in a game that showcased grit, determination, and a relentless attack both on the ground and through the air. From the opening kickoff, the energy in the stands was electrifying. Fans clad in blue filled the bleachers, their cheers echoing across Covington as Alleghany took the field for one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. With both teams sharing the “Cougars” moniker and vying for district supremacy, the stakes were high, and the action did not disappoint.
Stuarts Draft received the opening kickoff, but it was Alleghany’s defense that set the tone early. After a series of short gains and a penalty that pushed Stuarts Draft back, Alleghany’s defensive line held strong, forcing a turnover on downs and giving their offense a chance to strike. Quarterback Des Jordan wasted little time, connecting with Austin Greene for a 15-yard completion that electrified the crowd. Although a subsequent pass fell incomplete, Jordan’s poise under pressure was evident. On a crucial fourth down, Jordan kept the ball on a direct snap, picking up the first down and keeping the drive alive. Moments later, he found Brady May for a short gain, and Carter Nicely powered his way down to the 25-yard line, setting up a red zone opportunity. Jordan capped the drive with a nice pass to Green who ran it into the end zone, putting Alleghany on the board. The extra point was good, and with just over 11 minutes gone, Alleghany led 7-0.
Stuarts Draft’s offense struggled to find its rhythm against a swarming Alleghany defense.
After a short kickoff return, they were met in the backfield by a hoard of Cougars for a loss of four. Continuing with the same grit, a crucial sack by May on third down forced a Stuarts Draft punt. Jordan, doing it all and back to receive, returned Draft’s punt 30 yards, giving Alleghany good field position.
Building on their lead, Alleghany’s offense continued to click in the second quarter. Jordan connected with Godfrey for an 11-yard gain, and Nicely broke free for a 12-yard run, setting up first and goal. After a series of short runs and a timeout, Jordan handed off to May, who powered into the end zone for Alleghany’s second touchdown. The extra point was good, and the home team extended its lead to 14-0.
Stuarts Draft finally found some momentum late in the half, stringing together a series of completions and runs to move deep into Alleghany territory. But the defense held firm, forcing a Draft field goal attempt. The kick was good, and Stuarts Draft got on the board, trailing 14-3 with just seconds left in the half.
As the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Alleghany faithful were treated to a spirited homecoming halftime show. Seniors Connor Broughman and Kember Herstine were crowned King and Queen in celebration of school spirit and community tradition.
The second half began much like the first with Alleghany’s offense firing on all cylinders.
Jordan returned the kickoff to the 48-yard line, then kept the ball for four yards on a quarterback keeper. The offense leaned on Nicely who continued to churn out tough yards and on a third down play, Jordan broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run. The extra point made it 21-3, and the rout was on.
Alleghany’s offense and defensive line play was phenomenal throughout the entirety of the game owning the line of scrimmage through all four quarters. Stuarts Draft tried to answer and found some sporadic luck completing a 26-yard pass to Heinz Williams, but Alleghany’s defense responded with a sack and a series of stops, forcing another punt. May and Nicely took turns grinding out yardage, and May capped another drive with a touchdown run, pushing the lead to 27-3. Although the extra point was missed, the message was clear “Alleghany was in control.”
A complete team effort throughout the night, Alleghany’s defense was relentless. Number 55, Gabriel Booker, whose name drew repeated praise from the announcers, recorded multiple sacks, and stuffed the run, while the secondary came up with a key interception near the end zone to thwart a Stuarts Draft scoring threat.
On offense, Jordan’s dual-threat ability kept the defense guessing, while Nicely and May combined for over two hundred yards on the ground and multiple touchdowns. Greene and Godfrey provided reliable targets in the passing game, and the offensive line opened holes for big gains.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the outcome all but decided, Alleghany continued to pour it on. Kymari Rice broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run, and Mason Hale’s extra point made it 41-10. Stuarts Draft managed a late touchdown and a long pass to the 2-yard line, but it was too little, too late.
As the final seconds ticked away, Alleghany took a knee and the fireworks began, signaling a resounding victory on homecoming night.
The win not only improved Alleghany’s record but also put them in prime position for a district title. For the fans, players, and coaches, the night was about more than just football. It was a celebration of school spirit, resilience, and the power of coming together as a community.
With the win, Alleghany continues to climb in district standings and looks ahead to the rest of the season with confidence. For Stuarts Draft, the loss is a setback, but with plenty of talent and determination, they remain a formidable opponent. As the crowd filed out into the crisp autumn night, one thing was clear on this homecoming evening, the Cougars of Alleghany had truly roared.
