By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
RADFORD – Playing their homecoming game at Bobcat Stadium, the Radford Bobcats would shut out district foe Glenvar Highlanders, 29-0.
It started as a pleasant evening, but that changed within a few minutes as the sky turned dark, the rain started, and the wind picked up as the game began.
Radford got on the board first with 3:35 in the opening period when Pace Prioleau took a handoff off right tackle, turned the corner down the Bobcat sideline untouched on his way to a 70-yard scamper for six. Luciano Pugliese’s point-after kick had the Bobcats up 7-0.
Radford’s defense would hold the Highlanders to just 20 yards in the opening quarter.
The Bobcats’ next score came as Colten Garner-Rollins took the handoff straight up the middle and busted a tackle on his way to a 64-yard touchdown run. Pugliese’s kick would be wide left as the wind was playing havoc with both teams, with 6:29 to go in the first half, and it was the intermission score.
Radford, with 2:55 left in the third quarter, saw placekicker Pugliese kick and hit a 46-yard field goal as the wind and rain had gotten worse, for a 16-0 score.
Glenvar would receive the kickoff and was held without a first down and would drop back to punt. Radford’s Makel Blaney would then block the Highlander punt, and Grant Keister would scoop the ball up at the six-yard line and stroll into the end zone for a touchdown. They would then go for a two-point conversion pass, but the pass was incomplete, with the Bocats now up 22-0 with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Radford’s final score would then occur with Garner-Rollins busting through the line of scrimmage on his way to a 26-yard touchdown scamper. The point-after would split the uprights in a pouring rain for a 29-0 lead, and that would be the final score.
Radford head coach Michael Crist, remarked, “What a great defensive effort by our guys and the coaching staff. We had just told the guys earlier this week weather is going to be a factor in the game, and sure enough, tonight it did.”
Coach Crist then said, “With the wind blowing and the rain falling, we needed to run the football, and we did. Braylon Wray played an outstanding game on defense. He was all over the field, as he played with a great motor.”
Radford finished with 277 rushing yards on 36 carries. They only completed two passes for two yards. Their defense held the Glenvar Highlanders to 136 total yards and just 103 yards rushing.
The Bobcats had two guys to rush for over 100 yards. Garner- Rollins had 106 yards on just eight carries with two touchdowns. Prioleau went for 105 on 11 rushes and a score.
Glenvar (4-4) was led offensively by running back Ranger Swanson as he carried the ball 20 times for 50 hard-earned yards.
Radford’s “D” held the Highlanders rushing game to under three yards per carry. It was Radford’s third shutout of the season, and they improved to 6-1.
They will travel to Carroll County next Friday to take on the undefeated (7-0) Cavaliers with first place on the line in the Three Rivers District. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm.
The game will be a contrast of styles, as Carroll County likes to ground and pound, and Radford is more of a big-play, quick-score team. Both squads are 3-0 in district play.
Radford 7 6 9 7- 29
Glenvar 0 0 0 0-0
Rushing– Radford- Garner- Rollins 8-106, Prioleau 11-105, Dobbins- 13-60, Williams 4-6, Glenvar- Swanson 20-50, Burris 7-34, Jones 6-11, Gordon 2-8
Passing – Radford-Sutherland 2-4-0 Ints. 0 Tds.- 2 Yds., Dobbins- 0-7 -1 Int., 0 Tds. – 0 Yds., Glenvar- Jones- 6-19- 0 Ints., 0 Tds. – 33 yds.
Receptions– Radford – Williams 1- minus (-1), Carter 1-3, Glenvar – Henderson 2-11, Hall 1-3, Gordon 2-16, Brown 1-3
First Downs – Radford 13, Glenvar 9
Fumbles/ Lost– Radford 2 / 1, Glenvar 3 / 2
Penalties – Radford 7-61 yds., Glenvar 7-35 yds.
Total Yds. – Radford 279, Glenvar 133
Total TOs – Radford 2, Glenvar 3
Punts / Avg. – Radford – 2- 51.5, Glenvar – 7 / 30.1
