Graham 49, Virginia High 21 - FINAL

[matthew328826]

It's a battle of Southwest District and Region 2D contenders as the Graham G-Men (6-0) visit the Virginia High Bearcats (5-1).

Graham comes in ranked No. 1 in Class 2 on VaPreps, while Virginia High returned to the rankings at the No. 10 spot after falling from there when they fell to Tazewell in the opener. The Bearcats have won five straight since that loss.

The G-Men have won 26 straight regular season contests, though the G-Men are without offensive starters at both quarterback and running back.

We'll post updates as this one goes along...

 

[matthew328826]

Virginia High gets on the board first on a 68-yard scoop and score play from Patrick Poku with the extra point being successful.

Junior tailback Sean Hughes runs in a 5-yard TD to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive that knots the score at 7-apiece for Graham.

 

[matthew328826]

9:29 to go 2ndQ in VHSL Football - Virginia High 14, Graham 7. The Bearcats take the lead on a 34-yard TD pass from Brody Jones to Dante' Worley. PAT by Patrick Poku. His brother, Prince Poku, earlier had a scoop and score.

Graham is back on the move though in the second quarter after a 40-yard run from Sean Hughes.

 

[matthew328826]

Graham has tied the score with Virginia High with 7:51 to go in the second period.

7:51 left 2ndQ - Graham 14, Virginia High 14

 

[matthew328826]

Junior tailback Sean Hughes and the Graham ground attack is having its way with the Virginia High defense, now ahead 21-14 with 1:47 to go in the 2nd period.

1:47 left 2ndQ - Graham 21, Virginia High 14

 

[matthew328826]

Big catch by Keshawn Smith from QB Brody Jones for Virginia High down to the 24-yard line of Graham. The Bearcats have a great chance for points before the end of the half.

A couple plays later, they're looking at a 3d & 6 where Jones tries to scramble for a first down, but he is tackled down short of the marker with the Bearcats out of time-outs as well. They try to rush and get the field goal off, but apparently an illegal sub penalty was called amid the madness.

Patrick Poku will try a 46-yard field goal on the final play of the half, much to the dismay of Graham Coach Tony Palmer.

 

[matthew328826]

VHSL Region 2D Football at the HALF - Graham 21, Virginia High 14

The Bearcats miss a 46-yard field goal as time expires in the second quarter.

It'll be VA High football to begin the third period.

 

[matthew328826]

That gives Tony Palmer's crew some breathing room in Bristol.

 

[matthew328826]

Some ball security issues for Graham as they fumble, but are able to recover and have to punt it away from their own 27 as time starts to tick down late in the third quarter.

Despite the injuries and occasional miscues, the G-Men have a two-possession lead on the Bearcats and have tightened the screws defensively.

 

[matthew328826]

Worley has used his athleticism, which he also displays on the hardwood in basketball, consistently in this one. The Graham defense will have to limit the big play through the air to hold on and stay unbeaten.

 

[matthew328826]

On a critical third down after the Virginia High defense did its job on the first two downs, including QB/LB Brody Jones to keep the Graham ground game bottled up, it's the bowling ball Sean Hughes able to move the sticks.

With 10:13 to go, the G-Men will re-insert the lightning of their ground game with Jamel Floyd and Jones makes a TD-saving tackle at the 22-yard line. Nonetheless, Graham is knocking on the door and almost in the red zone. The offensive line, anchored by seniors Connor Roberts and Cody Dolin, is having its way.

 

[matthew328826]

The G-Men have answered a score with a score effectively tonight to maintain their advantage.

 

[matthew328826]

Great play from Sawyers. Then when VA High gets it back, it's Connor Roberts, their two-way lineman stud who had 78 tackles and 16 sacks a season ago, making his presence felt. The Bearcats are now looking at 3rd & long as this one appears to be out of reach.

 

[matthew328826]

Even at less than full strength, Tony Palmer's G-Men showed why they're the No. 1 ranked team in the state in Class 2 with a serious chance to get back to the State Championship game they were in a season ago and this time finish the deal.

Virginia High won't be a pushover either come playoff time and at 5-2 overall will have a chance to make a noise if they improve defensively between now and that second week of November.