The Shadow
HARRISONBURG, VA. (VR) – Alleghany’s postseason run came to an end Friday night, as the fifth-seeded Cougars fell 42–16 to Turner Ashby in the Region 3C quarterfinals. Even with the result, the night capped what has been a highly successful season, and a team that continued to show up for one another through a challenging week.
The Cougars opened with a steady 65-yard drive, leaning on quarterback Des Jordan, who converted a crucial fourth-and-short at the TA 29 to keep the possession alive. The series resulted in a 39-yard field goal from Mason Hale, pulling Alleghany within 7–3 late in the first quarter.
After a TA score early in the second, Alleghany responded immediately. Buddy Leisure-White took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the end zone, cutting the margin to 14–10 with 10:39 remaining in the half and giving the Cougars a needed spark.
Alleghany threatened again later in the second quarter, moving from its own 28 to the TA 44 before the drive stalled on fourth down. Turner Ashby capitalized on the short field to take a 28–10 lead into halftime.
The Cougars continued to compete, producing one of their best drives of the night in the third quarter. Jordan and the backfield pieced together a 73-yard march, and Carter Nicely finished it off with a 10-yard touchdown run, pulling the Cougars within 35–16 heading into the fourth.
Jordan delivered several chain-moving keepers throughout the night, while Nicely and Leisure-White recorded Alleghany’s two touchdowns. Hale added the early field goal as the Cougars converted scoring chances on two of their first three possessions.
While Turner Ashby’s run game controlled much of the clock, Alleghany continued to fight into the final minutes, closing out a season defined by resilience and steady progress. The Cougars played with heart after a difficult week for the program, and the local community continued to show its love and support following the loss of a teammate.
