The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va, (VR) In a contest defined by defensive grit and late-game heroics, the Alleghany Cougars overcame the Greenbrier East Spartans 20-12 on Monday night at Casey Field, capping a dramatic junior varsity football matchup that saw momentum swing repeatedly before the Cougars pulled away in the final minutes.
The game opened with both teams trading defensive stops and penalties, setting the tone for a night where yards and points would be hard-earned.
After winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, Alleghany kicked off to Greenbrier East, who began their first drive with promise. The Spartans advanced deep into Cougars territory, aided by a long snap count that drew the defense offsides and a series of short passes and runs. However, a holding penalty and an offsides call on Greenbrier East pushed them back, stalling the drive and forcing a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth and long.
Alleghany’s first possession mirrored the Spartans’ struggles, as the Cougars used a hard count to draw Greenbrier East offsides and picked up a first down on a run up the middle. Yet, the Spartans’ defense responded, stuffing a run for a loss and forcing a punt after a series of penalties and short gains.
The first quarter ended scoreless, with both teams’ defenses dominating the line of scrimmage and neither offense able to sustain a drive.
Greenbrier East threatened early in the second quarter, reaching the Cougars’ one-yard line after a series of runs and a key pitch play. Quarterback keeper up the middle broke the deadlock, giving the Spartans a 6-0 lead after the two-point conversion attempt failed. Alleghany responded with a strong kickoff return, but their ensuing drive was cut short by a fumbled handoff, recovered by Greenbrier East.
The Spartans, however, could not capitalize, as the Cougars’ defense forced a turnover on downs. The defensive battle continued, with both teams trading interceptions—Alleghany’s defense coming up with two key takeaways in the second quarter, including a diving interception by number 37.
Despite the turnovers, neither team could find the end zone again before halftime. Alleghany’s offense was hampered by penalties, including a delay of game and illegal formation, and the Spartans’ defense held firm. The half ended with the score still 6-0 in favor of Greenbrier East.
The second half began with Alleghany receiving the kickoff and mounting a methodical drive, mixing runs up the middle with short passes. The Cougars finally broke through late in the third quarter, as a completed pass in the end zone tied the game at 6-6. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score knotted as the teams entered the fourth quarter.
Greenbrier East quickly regained the lead with a 70-yard touchdown pass, as number 14 broke free down the sideline and outran the Cougars’ secondary. The Spartans’ two-point conversion attempt again failed, making it 12-6.
Undeterred, Alleghany mounted a determined drive, highlighted by a series of runs from number 1 and number 16, and aided by a key offsides penalty against the Spartans. The Cougars reached the five-yard line, but a bad snap and a penalty for an illegal forward pass threatened to derail the drive.
On fourth and goal from the six, the Cougars’ quarterback found his receiver in the end zone for a touchdown, tying the game at 12-12.
This time, the Cougars converted the two-point attempt, taking their first lead of the night at 14-12. With time running out, Greenbrier East attempted to rally, but a third interception of the night by the Cougars’ defense, this one by number 21—gave Alleghany the ball deep in Spartans territory.
The Cougars capitalized, taking a knee to run down the clock before breaking through for a final touchdown on a long pass play in the closing seconds. The extra point attempt was no good, but the Cougars had secured a 20-12 victory.
The game ended with Greenbrier East’s final drive stalling as time expired, sealing a hard-fought win for Alleghany. Both teams displayed resilient defenses, but timely plays and fewer mistakes in the fourth quarter allowed the Cougars to emerge victorious.
With the win, Alleghany improves its junior varsity record, while Greenbrier East is left to regroup after a game in which they led for much of the night but could not hold off the late surge.
The contest was a testament to the competitive spirit of both squads and provided a memorable night for fans of both Virginias in Covington.
*No official rosters were available at the time of this writing*
