The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany Cougars gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about Friday night, closing out their final home game of the season with an impressive 34-12 victory over Rockbridge County.
The night was even more special for Elijah “Buddy” Leisure-White, who made Alleghany football history by breaking the school’s single-season rushing record, previously held by Garrett Via, who rushed for 1,816 yards in 2022.
After two hard-fought losses to Riverheads and Fort Defiance, the Cougars bounced back in a big way, putting together one of their strongest offensive performances of the season.
Alleghany’s ground game led the charge, piling up 321 rushing yards while the defense held Rockbridge County to minus-six yards on the ground.
Leisure-White delivered another outstanding performance, scoring three touchdowns on runs of 61, 31 and 73 yards, adding another memorable chapter to his record-breaking season.
The Cougars wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Colten Jack opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Mason Hale added the extra point to give Alleghany a 7-0 lead.
Alleghany took complete control in the second quarter, scoring 19 unanswered points.
Leisure-White broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run early in the quarter before finding the end zone again on a 31-yard run just minutes later.
Quarterback Talyn Elliott capped off the first-half scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:04 remaining, sending the Cougars into halftime with a commanding 26-0 advantage.
The momentum continued into the second half as Leisure-White exploded for a 73-yard touchdown run just 20 seconds into the third quarter. Hale added the two-point conversion on a run, extending Alleghany’s lead to 34-0.
Rockbridge County managed two fourth-quarter touchdowns, both coming through the air from quarterback Carson Fridley. Harvey Presnell hauled in a 25-yard touchdown reception before Maliq Corbin added a 5-yard scoring catch in the final minute.
Alleghany finished with 367 yards of total offense, including 46 passing yards. The Cougars recorded 13 first downs while limiting Rockbridge County to just 97 total yards and five first downs.
The Alleghany defense also forced four turnovers, including two interceptions and two recovered fumbles.
While penalties and turnovers continued to be an issue, with Alleghany committing 10 penalties for 100 yards and losing five turnovers, the Cougars’ ability to control the ground game and keep Rockbridge County off the scoreboard for three quarters proved to be the difference.
The victory was especially encouraging following Alleghany’s previous two outings. The Cougars battled Riverheads in a 42-27 loss before falling 31-22 on the road to Fort Defiance. In both contests, Alleghany showed its ability to compete and put points on the board.
Friday’s performance brought those efforts together as the Cougars dominated on both sides of the football.
For head coach Will Fields and his team, the victory provided a positive finish to the home portion of the schedule, highlighted by Leisure-White’s historic achievement.
