THURSDAY OCTOBER 3:

Hermitage 75, Deep Run 0
Huguenot 61, James River 20

(RVA Sports Network)

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Lafayette is closing in on yet another 5-0 start, something they're quite familiar with under Andy Linn.

While it has been a flag fest - a combined 20 in this game (11 on Grafton and 9 on Lafayette), the Rams are showing some ability to do damage through the air, with a guy who is their backup QB. Naye'Ron Hudson got a lot of yards after a catch, showing his skills in the open field, and they have seen TE Daniel Jackson be a factor all night, on each side of the ball.

Mr. Smalls finds the end zone again as Tristan Harris springs him free to increase the lead for the Rams.

Might get a first round home game but more than likely the Spartans will be on the road. I don’t see them getting more points then teams like GW, JF, or quite frankly even Handley.

Power being out was the biggest problem here in Smyth County.

In Marion the Middle Fork of the Holston River came out of it's banks and caused a bit of problems in town and down in Chilhowie. The Apple Festival in Chilhowie was cancelled.

My wife's niece is still out of power down at the South Fork below Adwolfe.

My Mom and Niece's power came on late yesterday over in Broadford (Saltville)...The North Fork of the Holston came out of it's banks and several local creeks flooded. At one time my Mom was flooded in and blocked for about a ½ day.

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Lafayette did not have a corner lined up on the near side of the field, and while an assistant in the box was trying to get the attention of the sideline to burn a time-out before the snap, Grafton was able to take advantage with their second touchdown of the night on a defense that came in giving up just 1.5 points per game.

After striking for a terrific 31-yard pass play over the middle with QB Talon Leach to TE Daniel Jackson, the Rams lose a couple on the ground and then mishandle the snap and the fumble is recovered by Grafton's Colton Sandifer at the Rams 40 with 10:39 to go.

Coach Andy Linn won't like that giveaway as it keeps them from being able to get that running clock into effect. To me, the only thing of relative interest is whether or not Makale Barnett of Grafton gets to 100 yards rushing on the night. He's at 11 rushes for 79 yards by my count.

The 4th & 3 pass is incomplete as Andrew Cook (younger brother of former Rams standout LB Peter Cook) gets in there to keep the Clippers from extending the drive.

So Lafayette can salt this one away now, up 37-6 with 11:55 to go and taking over at their own 18.

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My hunch is that Grafton goes to the air here and it wouldn't surprise me if Lafayette brings some pressure with a blitz.

Jaden Brown hauls in a screen for Grafton worth a few yards, then an outside zone run with Makale Barnett gains 6 to bring up 3rd & 1, where the Lafayette defense steps up in a big way as Tristan Harris and Jamir Nesbeth combine to drop Barnett back at the LHS 40.

Grafton goes to the air on 4th & 4, where the Rams get called for a pass interference penalty as DB Naye'Ron Hudson was just a tad too aggressive on the play. It gives them a fresh set of downs at the Rams 25.

After a 2-yard run, the Clippers go to the Pistol formation, where the option pitch is totally sniffed out by No. 50 of the Lafayette defense, lineman Anthony Consolo. They then go to the air with Luke Bryant hitting Ananias Boyd Jr. for a 5-yard pass. That will set up 4th & 3 from the LHS 18 to begin the 4th quarter.

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This feels like a B- or C+ type of game from Lafayette, which has at times looked extremely good on both sides of the ball, doing so with a backup QB, yet it's far from the A+ showing they had a week ago vs. Smithfield.

Conversely, it's a better showing for Grafton - despite the score - than their underwhelming 35-6 loss to Class 2 Bruton last week.

Ensuing kickoff for Grafton puts them at the Lafayette 46, in part because of the Rams getting hit with their 7th penalty (for 85 yards) moments ago.

Grafton ends up punting it away and Brayden Smalls' 17-yard return gives the Rams great field position at the 3-yard line of the Clippers with 4:12 to go in the third period.

Another touchdown will have Lafayette in position to potentially get the running clock in effect before we sign off tonight.

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Grafton's defense made Lafayette work on that series. In particular, William Dickinson made a crucial tackle for loss on third down and then the same happened with Joshua Lawson on 3rd & 4 from the 7 of the Clippers.

To Lafayette's credit, they stayed patient and didn't force anything that resulted in a game-altering turnover.

After a touchback, the Grafton offense is facing the real possibility of a 3 & out as they're looking at 3rd & 9 from their own 21 with 4:30 showing on the third quarter clock. Rams defenders Jamir Nesbeth and Andrew Cook really put a strong lick on Makale Barnett on a screen pass that gained 5 following a 4-yard run through the ground game.

DinwiddieProud said:

I was just going to tease them about that. LOL. But maybe they blocked the PAT? Or maybe he missed? After all, it was his first attempt this year. Ouch.

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I don’t think the PAT was blocked I think he just missed it.

redzone4us said:

You know your defense isn't good when you're the only team in the state of Va to allow Hidden Valley to score their only points this year.

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Yep I totally agree

MrSalem1000 said:

Salems offense has been moving the ball well tonight. However, the defense still needs a lot of work. Not a good sign for this opponent in Hidden Valley to get their first points of their season against the Salem defense. The defense needs to figure things out quick or it will be a very short lived playoff run. Can’t be giving up yards like this to below average offenses.

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You know your defense isn't good when you're the only team in the state of Va to allow Hidden Valley to score their only points this year.

Stats at the Half:

Lafayette 28:
Talon Leach - 1-4 for 34Yds; 1Car. 1Yd. TD
Joshua Simpson - 6Car. 61Yds; 3 Solo Tackles, INT
Brayden Smalls - 8Car. 45Yds. TD
Breon Stokes - 8Car. 47Yds. 2 TD's
Daniel Jackson - 1Rec. 34Yds.
Andrew Cook - 5 Tackles, 2.5 TFL
Obrian Canady - 4 Tackles, 2 TFL
Naye'Ron Hudson - 3 Solo Tackles, INT

Rams - 26 plays for 188 total yards (23 rushes for 154 yards; 1-3 for 34 yards passing); 5 penalties for 60 yards; 0 turnovers


Grafton 6:
Luke Bryant - 12-16 for 73Yds. 0-2 TD/Int. ratio
Makale Barnett - 7Car. 76Yds. TD; 2Rec.
Jaden Brown - 5Rec. 45Yds.
Ananias Boyd - 3Rec. 19Yds; 3 Tackles
Joseph Foley - 6 Tackles (4 Solo)
Joshua Lawson - 4 Tackles

Clippers - 27 plays for 143 total yards (11 rushes for 70 yards; 12-16 for 73 yards passing, 2 intercepts); 8 penalties for 65 yards; 2 turnovers

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Some numbers to come shortly... stay tuned!

Yianni Kokolis provided the lead block on Lafayette's latest touchdown run, a 4-yard plunge from Breon Stokes. It's his 2nd TD of the night. It came after runs of +6 by Brayden Smalls, +20 from Stokes and +8 by Joshua Simpson, who got hurt on the play or else it might've been his turn in the rotation to find paydirt.

Nonetheless, Lafayette feels much better about their margin, even with a couple of missed opportuninties earlier in the half, as they now sit in front 28-6 with 49 seconds till the half.

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