Blog Live Game Blog: Class 6 Final - Freedom (13-0) v. Highland Springs (13-1)

[CRF4Dan]

Welcome to Scott Stadium where the high octane Freedom offense will be facing the tough hard-nosed Highland Springs. Springers have one blemish on their record, a 9 point loss to Maury who themselves is playing for a state championship today on this very site.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers come into this game with 5 championships over the last decade and is the defending Class 5 state champion. Freedom on the other hand is won their first state title last year after falling to Manchester in 2018.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers set to receive the opening kick.

 

[CRF4Dan]

After the return the Springers setup shop on their own 30 yard line.

 

[CRF4Dan]

After the return the Springers setup shop on their own 30 yard line.

6 yard gain for Springers on first carry, follow that up overthrown pass from Khristian Martin. 3rd & 4 coming up for the Springers.

Byrd follows through with a carry but is a yard short of the first. 4th & 1 with the Springers going for it!

And they do not get it! A loss of yards and a penalty flag goes up with Freedom penalized. Eagles take over at their own 46

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom behind the run chews up 34 yards quickly but a false start sets the Eagles back to the Springer 25.

Fresh set of downs. The Eagles go for the big play in the end zone, almost get it but Ezekiel Birchette is there to breakup the pass.

Another strong run from the Eagles and it's 3rd & 4 for Freedom. Big test for Springers defense who fails as Kameron Courtney punches it in from 14 yards out. Freedom with early 7-0 lead.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Kameron Courtney actually scored TD for Eagles. Springers offensively struggling early. Facing 3rd & 11.

Jakyre Henley looked like he might come away with Martin pass but it is broken up by Eagles. Springers punting. Two possessions, no first down.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom just keeps attacking but penalties are stunting their big plays. Ball backed up to their own 44.

Apologies for no names on Freedom, gold/silver numbers on white jerseys is tough to read from press box level.

Springers defense comes up with big play. That is key today, Springers must get hands on this quick strike team.

2nd & 4 for Freedom and the Springers wrap them up again led by Daryl HArris but not without another first down.

1st & 10 at the 46 for Freedom and the pass is overthrown. Springers defense with another big stop led by Daryl Harris again. Freedom facing 3rd & 10. Big moment coming up for both teams.

Springers come up with the stop led by Joshua Clayton. Freedom facing 4th & 10 and going for it but thinks better of it.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers need to show some signs of life on offense. Defense cannot do it alone.

1st & 10 from their own 24. Eric Byrd with early success with a gain of 6 yards. Martin releases the ball as he is going down and that spells PICK 6 for Freedom. Jachai Jackson-Hughes scored the pick six and with 4:51 to go in the 1q Freedom is up 14-0 on Springers.

Last Springer loss by double digits? 20-0 loss to Varina in 2012! A decade ago!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Crucial possession for Springers down 13-0 in the first quarter.

Jaymon Lewis with a return into Freedom territory.

Springers setup shop at the Freedom 36!

Eric Byrd with the carry, Eagles trying to jar ball loose. Gain of 3 yards.

Byrd stood up, no gain and it is now third down for the Springers.

Martin's pass intended for Noah Jenkins is overthrown. 4th & 7 for Springers.

PAss intended for Henley broken up by Jachal Jackson-Hughes who scored the pick six. Freedom ball with turnover on downs.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom is carving up this Springer defense. First down on first play from scrimmage. Ball already at the Freedom 45 but Brennan Johnson and Kasim Drumgole don't allow anymore than 4 yards.

Johnson lays a big hit on Elijah Reid. 3rd & 2 coming up. Springer defense needs a stop at their own 47.

Ezekiel Birchette stands in way of Jeff Overton TD run. Fresh set of downs at Springers 30...

Springer defense closes in on Jeff Overton for Freedom after stutter step. 2nd & 10... and Freedom does it again! Jeff Overton with TD and Freedom up big on stunned Springers 20-0!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers 1st & 10 at own 41. Martin with QB keeper but Eagles don't fall for it allowing just 3 yards.

We are now in 2nd quarter.

Springers facing 3rd & 8... still without a first down. Martin stood up on another QB keeper. Coach Johnson going to need big time adjustments at half if they are able to get back into this game. Springers punt on 4th & 5

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom takes over at their own 19.

Overton with a carry of 5 yards. 2nd & 5 for Eagles and Eagles follow that up with a pass to present 3rd & 1.

Freedom with a huge touchdown run! Freedom 27-0 as the Springer defense seems no match for this high-octane offense.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers down 28-0 setup shop at 45. PAss to Jenkins stopped at 50. Springers need to extend this drive. Martin hits Noah Jenkins with a 50 yard pass! Springers are on the board! down 28-7 7:52 2Q.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom has ball on own 43 following pooch kick from Springers.

Brennan Johnson & Kasim Drumgole in on tackle for Springers. Gain of 2 for Freedom.

Evans-Trujillo pass is out of bounds as he takes a hit. 3rd & 8 Freedom facing. Springer defense needs stop. Johnson & Vosean Street are there to do just that. Freedom with a rare punt!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Jakyre Henley returns the punt for a score. Springers have a pulse and life... Down 28-13 6:04 2Q

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom following a penalty starting back at their own 9. Springers riding wave of momentum. Can Eagles squash it?

Another big stop for Springer defense.

No better coach in state at in-game adjustments than one Loren Johnson!

Noah Jenkins with a stop of his own. Freedom facing 3rd & 3... Freedom gets the first but the defense don't allow much more of that. 1st & 10 on the 22.

Cory Gray Jr. there with the stop on a Freedom catch. 2nd & 10 Freedom. Intensity picking up with each play. Freedom facing 3rd& 3 again. Ball at Freedom 29...

Eagles bust loose the run but D'kai Logan comes up with hard hit on Jeffrey Overton.

1st & 10 ball at the Freedom 39, pass is over the head of receiver along Freedom sideline. 2nd & 10 for Eagles Freedom ball carrier drags defenders behind him (Overton be that carrier) and it is 3rd & 4 for EAgles.

Noah Jenkins wwraps up receiver but not before getting first down at their own 49.

Freedom with a gain of 4 on first down. False start on 2nd down makes it 2nd & 11 for Eagles with 1:16 to go in half.

Rikieh Hopkins quick to cover receiver and Freedom facing 3rd & 9 with less than a minute to go in half.

A catch to the sidelines stops the clock at :22. Ball at the Springer 42. Springer defense needs to hold Freedom scoreless to end 2nd quarter.

Group tackle for Springers to force turnover on downs.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Khristian Martin intercepted for a second time in this contest. Had 2 INT's all season, has had 2 today. Freedom with the ball at their own 20.

Kameron Courtney the interceptor this time.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Khristian Martin intercepted for a second time in this contest. Had 2 INT's all season, has had 2 today. Freedom with the ball at their own 20.

Freedom leads Highland Springs 28-13 at the half.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom has 289 yards of offense compared to 78 for Springers.

Jeffrey Overton has 164 yards rushing and 2 TD's.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom jumped out to a 28-0 lead but the Springers scored last 13 points of the game. Freedom will have the ball to start the 2nd half. Can the Springers defense tighten their grip of the 2nd quarter or will the chess match continue with adjustments by Coach Overton of Freedom?

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom with a huge return of nearly 40 yards out to 49 of Highland Springs. Flag for holding brings it back. Freedom ball to start second half at their own 28 yard line.

Springers get to ball carrier in the backfield. Loss of 1, 2nd & 11 for Eagles.

Noah Jenkins with initial stop as Freedom gets close to first down. 3rd & 1 for Eagles, gain of 10 yards.

Move the chains, Freedom first down at their own 41. Jaymon Lewis and Cory Gray, Jr. combine for what appears to be a first down stop but two flags fly... hold Springers, personal foul Freedom. Freedom facing 1st & 10 at their own 44.

3 different flags fly as Freedom is called for a false start. 1st & 15 now at their own 39. Three missed tackles on a gain of 8 yards by Overton. 2nd & 7 for Eagles.

One handed catch for Carleton Preston a 53 yard pass from Jeffrey Overton to the end zone. The wave of momentum is over for the Springers. Flag is on the field, looks to be against Springers. 35-13 Freedom. Not the start the Springers were hoping for in the 2nd half.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers first possession of 2nd half starts from own 38.

Pass to Cory GRay, Jr. for 8 yards followed by Cole Varner run for no gain.

Big 3rd & 2 coming up for Springers and they get the first on another pass, Martin to Noah Jenkins. 1st & 10 at the 50.

Jackson-Hughes is having himself a day on defense. Just lit up Springer for big stop. Flag on the field assessed to Springers. Backed up to 35 yards line... Springers facing 1st & 25!

Martin with QB keeper for 5 yards. Springers follow that up with a pass but the flags fly against Freedom for pass interference. Springers get a much needed break, now facing 2nd & 4. Jenkins catches pass and is immediately drilled. Jenkins appears to be shaken up... Springers cannot afford to lose him with Tomondrey Braxton sidelined due to ejection last week.

Springers ball, facing 3rd & 4 and Jenkins sidelined. MArtin goes to the swiss army knife of the Springers in Jakyre Henley who gets the first. Springer ball, 1st & 10 at Freedom 35.

Martin gains one yard on a heroic effort, Jenkins back in the game. Ball is in and out of the hands of Jenkins. 3rd & 9 the Springers face... Cory Gray, Jr. receipient of Martin pass, Springers face 4th & 1 ... Martin hits Henley! Springers needed that, 4:05 3Q Springers trail 35--20...

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springer defense not allowing much in the run game... Vosean Street and Brennan Johnson locking that down.

Freedom again attempts to go up the middle but finds just a couple of yards. 3rd & 7... Springers defense get to the QB and it's punting time! Street, Nick Jones and Jayden Shuler crash the Freedom party to force the punt.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Blocked punt! Springer ball at the Freedom 20!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom defense picks up intensity and brings down Jakyre Henley for a loss of 2.

2nd & 12 at Freedom 22. Martin hits Noah Jenkins for 22 yard TD! Springers down 35-27

 

[CRF4Dan]

Freedom ball, 1st & 10 from their own 30. Jayden Shuler and Brennan Johnson bring down EAgles for a loss of 1.

Pass along visitor sideline forced out. Freedom faces 3rd & 6... Eagles stopped short of first down... face 4th & 1 at own 39... Overton runs over a ref and is brought down by Ezekiel Birchett. Freedom ball at Springer 40.

Flag on field after OVerton run. Hold Freedom, 1st & 19 at their own 49...

Another big run for Eagles to the end zone. Defense was not expecting that one. 11:11 Freedom goes up 42-27!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springer ball... 1st & 10 at their own 34.

Pass to Jenkins put the ball out to the 47 of the Springers and a fresh set of downs.

Martin's pass to Henley is overthrown... released too quick.

PAss to Cory Gray, Jr. who as a freshman has been targeted quite a bit today.

1st & 10 at Freedom 43. Flag flies on Martin run, Freedom penalty and Springers get the ball at Freedom 28.

Martin with QB sneak for a gain of about 2 as Byrd gets wrapped up. 2nd & 8 at 26 of Freedom...

Byrd doesn't find an opening and is stopped at line of scrimmage. Third down coming up for Springers.

Byrd blown up again,. Springers won't be getting it done on the run and now they face 4th & 8. Pass is just off the fingertips of Eric Byrd. Turnover on downs.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springer defense fighting to give their offense more time with Eagles facing 2nd & 6... ball on their own 45...

Vosean street wrapping him up but not without a gain of 1. 3rd & 5 coming up for Freedom... Freedom stopped just short of the first. EAgles facing 4th & 1... time not on side of Springers.

Brennan Johnson blows up the play and forces the turnover on downs.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Springers with 26 yard play on first down and just like that they are at Freedom 24.

What appears to be a touchdown for Jakyre Henley is ruled to have hit the ground first in the end zone. Would have been a game changer.

2nd & 10 for Springers... Instead Khristian Martin runs it in himself! Springers trail 34-42... 4:30 to go

 

[CRF4Dan]

With 4:26 to go Freedom is looking to ice this one with a score but the Springers defense is looking to give their offense one more shot. Great chess match ensuing here...

Freedom ball at their own 27... 1st & 10 with the Eagles going pass for a first down.

1st & 10 at Eagles 39... D'Kai Logan comes thru on defense but Eagles still give chunk plays, 2nd & 1 for Eagles. Springers defense must stop Eagles to have a chance at win.

Freedom offense imposing their will. They want this championship... Springer defense being pushed around out there with less than 3 minutes to go.

Big missed tackle by Nick Jones allows Freedom to push the ball out to the Springer30. 2:!4 to go...

Eagles with another big run to the 15. Springers could use a turnover but Freedom wants the score to end the Springer threat.

Flag flies... false start on Eagles. 1st & 15 from the 20... 1:35 to go.

Kasim Drumgole and company get a stop and loss of 1. 2nd & 16 coming up for Eagles...

Freedom appears intent on running the clock down. A field goal puts this out of reach.

3rd & 14 at the 19 for Freedom... Drumgole drives ball carrier out of bounds. Ball at the 14 of the Springers. 4th & 9... less than a minute to go.

Freedom goes with reverse but unable to convert. Springers with the ball at own 7 with 26 seconds to go.

 

[CRF4Dan]

PAss to Cory GRay Jr. puts ball on 16 with 17 seconds to go...

That is followed up with a pass to Kevin Finney and with 9 seconds to go the Springers have 70 yards to go for score.

Freedom wins 42-34! They are your Class 6 state champions.