Narrows, VA – GAME OF THE WEEK!
Put all of the other high school football games up against last nights game between the Covington Cougars and Narrows Green Waves, and it there is no comparison.
It was one of the most exciting games and finishes of the year.
And the Cougars have been part of several game like that this season.
To simply put it, this Cougars varsity football team, is FUN to watch!
If you like high scoring, close, edge of your seat games, the Cougars game last night was one for you.
On a cool Friday night in Narrows, VA, the Cougars picked up a big Pioneer District road victory over the Green Waves, 33-26.
The Cougars led 27-26 with 22 seconds left, but the Green Waves had the ball.
Only problem for the Green Waves, no timeouts and the ball on their own 25 yard line.
After three plays went for only five yards, the Green Waves were looking at fourth down and only two seconds left.
With the ball on their own 30 yard line and needing a Hail Mary or some trickery, Green Waves quarterback, Aidan McGlothlin dropped back to pass and threw the ball down the field and was intercepted by Cougars line backer/running back, Purcel Turner. Turner would seal with victory for the Cougars by returning the interception 52 yards for the touchdown as time expired.
The win lifted the Cougars to a 3-2 overall record and 2-0 in district play. Meanwhile the Green Waves fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the district.
However, despite all the excitement of this game, it almost did not happen.
Following the first play of the game (a five yard Dontai Samuels run), the stadium lights went out at Ragsdale Field.
It caused a lot of confusion on each of the sidelines. No one knew why the lights went out and there was even talk/rumblings that the game may have not been able to continue.
The stadium operators made sure the game was able to continue, especially being that it was Homecoming night for Narrows High School.
Finally, the lights started to slowly come back on and after a 20 minute delay, play resumed.
The Cougars ended their first drive on offense going three-and-out.
Following a Chadwick Tacy punt that was downed at the Green Waves 11 yard line, the Green Waves only needed two plays and 89 yards for the first score of the game.
McGlothlin connected with Kolier Pruett for 60 yards (the longest offensive play of the game), for the score. The Green Waves were unsuccessful on their two point attempt.
Facing a 6-0 deficit, and a three-and-out on their first offensive drive, the Cougars needed to get something going. Unfortunately, the Cougars were caught off guard by a squib kick which was bobbled by a Cougars player, and allowed for the Green Waves to jump onto the loose ball for the recovery.
Fortunately for the Cougars, the players did not hang their heads. They kept them up and quite possibly changed the direction of the game by stopping the Green Waves and sending them to the sidelines with o three-and-out.
With the good comes the bad, as with the field possession the Green Waves had, they were able to punt the ball to the four yard line. The Cougars did not make an attempt to return the punt which allowed for the ball which hit at the 10 yard line, bounce to the four yard line.
With their backs against their own end zone, the Cougars used a 14-play drive that went for 96 yards and the score.
Javier Yancy connected with Neeko Jeter from 11 yards out for the touchdown. Tacy’s extra point was good which gave the Cougars a one point lead at 7-6.
The key play of the drive came with Cougars facing a fourth-and-eight on the Green Waves 41 yard line. Yancy connected with Jeter for 20 yards and a fresh set of downs.
Facing a 7-6 deficit, the Green Waves answered on their next drive, using eight plays and a 36 yard touchdown pass from McGlothlin to Pruett for the second time in the game.
The Green Waves not trying for the extra point again, converted the two point play as McGlothlin connected with Carson Crigger to give the Green Waves a 14-7 lead.
Following back to back turnovers from each team, the Cougars got the ball still only down seven points.
The Cougars went 10 plays, 59 yards to get back on the scoreboard as Yancy connected with Turner from 34 yards out. Tacy’s extra point was no good which kept the Green Waves in front 14-13.
With under six minutes left in the first half, the Green Waves had plenty of time to get down the field to score. And they did, but not without a wild scene.
On second-and-one, Reed Perdue broke free from the defense for 40 yards and was tripped up by a Cougars defender which caused Perdue to lose the ball. The loose ball was picked up by Pruett and returned 20 yards for the touchdown.
The visiting crowd was left silent as the home crowd went into a loud roar. The Green Waves were unsuccessful with their two point attempt.
The Green Waves went into the half with a 20-13 lead.
The first half, the Cougars had two turnovers while the Green Waves committed one.
The second half, a much different story.
The Green Waves got the ball to start the half. On the teams first play of the second half, Perdue fumbled the ball which was recovered by Yancy and returned 29 yards to the Green Waves six yard line.
Facing a fourth-and-goal at the five yard line, Yancy scrambled to his right side and ran into the end zone for the score.
(Note: you can see that touchdown on our Twitter page @VirginianSports)
Tacy’s extra point was good which tied the game at 20.
Following three more offensive drives for the Green Waves resulting in turnovers (four second half drives, four turnovers), the defense did it’s part and held the Cougars in check as well on their first three drives.
However, the fourth drive of offense for Cougars was a successful one.
Following Brady Howard’s second interception of the game, the Cougars needed only 21 yards to regain the lead.
The touchdown came on a Jeter two yard rushing touchdown. Tacy’s extra point was good which gave the Cougars a 27-20 lead.
The Green Waves however, answered back and answered quickly.
On the ensuing kick off, the Green Waves returned the ball 90 yards to the Cougars five yard line.
One play later, Purdue scored from five yards out to get the Green Waves back on the scoreboard.
Not electing to go for the tie with an extra point, the Green Waves tried for a two point attempt to take the lead. Turner of the Cougars denied Perdue entry into the end zone and kept the Cougars in front 27-26.
The following Cougars drive, the team went three-and-out. With needing to punt, the Green Waves returned the punt 52 yards for the go ahead score.
However, there was a flag on the play. An illegal block took away the touchdown.
After two incomplete passes and one completed for just five yards, the Green Waves were looking at fourth-and-five at their own 49 yard line. With under five minutes left, the team elected to punt.
The decision proved to be a wise one as the defense did its job and forced Samuels to turn the ball over on the second play of the drive.
All of a sudden, the Green Waves had new life and a second chance at taking the lead late in the fourth quarter.
However, the Cougars were not having any of it. After three plays went for four yards, the Green Waves were facing a fourth-and-six play. Cougars defensive end Ethan Martin blew past the offensive line and put pressure on McGothlin and caused him to throw and off balance pass out of bounds which resulted in a turnover on downs.
With under two minutes left in the game, the Cougars got a big 15 yard run on second down from Samuels and a fresh set of downs.
The Cougars were able to get the clock down to 25 seconds and turned the ball over on downs as Samuels could not convert a fourth-and-five play at the Green Waves 27 yard line.
Three plays later, with only two seconds left in the game and needing some luck, McGlothlin dropped back from his own 30 yard line and was intercepted at the Cougars 48 yard line by Turner who sealed the victory with a 52 yard touchdown returned on the interception.
The Cougars sidelines was ecstatic with pulling out the victory as was the visiting crowd.
Yancy, one of the senior leaders on the team, led the way for the Cougars with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), and a fumble recovery.
Meanwhile, Samuels finished the game with a season high 138 rushing yards.
For the defense, Howard led the way for the Cougars with half a dozen tackles and two interceptions. Tacy also had an interception for Cougars.
Team/Qtr/Pts/Ttl
CHS 7 6 7 13 – 33
NHS 6 14 0 6 – 26
Scoring Plays;
First Quarter – McGlothlin pass to Pruett 60yds (2pt attempt, no good) 6-0, 9:51
First Quarter – Yancy to Jeter 11yds (Extra Point, good) 7-6, 1:08
Second Quarter – McGlothlin pass to Pruett 36yds (2pt try successful) 14-7, 11:43
Second Quarter – Yancy pass to Turner 34yds (Extra Point, no good) 14-13, 5:57
Second Quarter – Pruett 20yd rush (2pt try, no good) 20-13, 4:34
Third Quarter – Yancy 5yd rush (Extra Point, good) 20-20, 9:19
Fourth Quarter – Jeter 2yd rush (Extra Point, good) 27-20, 8:22
Fourth Quarter – Perdue 5yd rush (2pt try, no good) 27-26, 7:59
Fourth Quarter – Turner 52yd interception return (no extra point try) 33-26, 0:00
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