By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
The Rappahannock Raiders scored 43 unanswered points to capture the Class 1 Championship over Rye Cove, 49-14.
The Raiders (13-2) fell behind 7-0 with 3:49 in the opening quarter as Rye Cove scored on an 11-play 43-yard drive capped off by a Carter Roach-Hodge six yard touchdown run and Josh Cress point after kick for the Eagles to go up 7-0.
Kenneth Madison would answer for the Raiders as he scampered for a 45-yard run, but their point after was blocked.
The Eagles (11-4) would come right back driving the ball down the field, taking seven minutes on a 65-yard drive. Roach-Hodge would cap off the drive scoring from nine yards out and Cress’ point after upped their lead to 14-6 with 4:47 – a lead they would take into halftime.
Rappahannock would kick off after intermission and stop the Eagles, taking possession at their own four. On the first play from there, QB CJ Kelly would take the snap, go to his right, change direction to his left, then cross over to his right and down the Raider sideline for an unbelievable 96-yard touchdown run. The Raiders would attempt a two-point conversion run, but were stopped and the score was 14-12 Rye Cove with 9:32 showing on the clock.
The Raiders would finally stop the Rye Cove drive at their own 30. A four-yard run by Kelly was followed by a Kelly to Christian Destin 66-yard pass and run down the Raider sideline untouched to finally go ahead with 3:29 left in the third quarter. Kelly would then run in the two-point conversion for a 20-14 lead.
Things would only get worse for the Eagles when Kelly would score from six yards out and Madison’s two-point run had the score 28-14 with 7:19 left in the game. The Raiders would then intercept an Eagles’ pass and Madison would score on a 17- yard run going off right tackle. Keighlyn Setzer’s kick put the Raiders up, 35-14.
Rye Cove would fumble on their next possession and Madison this time scored on a 35-yard off tackle run. Rappahannock had scored three touchdowns in just four minutes taking a commanding 42-14 advantage.
They would then intercept another Eagle pass and instead of taking a knee the Raiders would hand-off to Madison again going off right tackle this time for a 16-yard touchdown down the Eagle sideline for the final score of 49-14.
Rappahannock’s Kenneth Madison scored four touchdowns and accounted for 226 yards rushing on just 19 carries. QB Kelly had 17 rushes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He threw for another 95 yards and tossed a touchdown.
Rye Cove’s Carter Roach-Hodge scored both of their touchdowns and finished with 46 yards. Rappahannock held the Eagles to just 46 second half yards rushing on 25 rushes.
Rapp. – 6 0 14 29 – 49
Rye Cove 7 7 0 0-14
Rushing – Rapp.= Kelly 17-191, Madison 19-226, Destin 1-Minus(-2), Rye Cove – Barnett 15-36, Rollins 17-65, Roach-Hodge 13-46, Shupe 6-minus( -9)
Passing – Rapp. Kelly- 6 – 10- 0 Ints,- 1 Td. – 95 yds., Rye Cove – Shupe- 2-7- 2 Ints.- 0 Tds.- 18 yds.
Receptions– Rapp.- Destin 2-70, Brown 1-3, Ellis-Thomas 2-12, Sullivan 1-10, Rye Cove – Lane 1-6, Jessee 1-12
First downs – Rappahannock – 20, Rye Cove 13
Fum.-lost -Rappahannock- 1-1, Rye Cove – 2-2
Penalties – Rappahannock- 7-47 yds., Rye Cove – 3-24
Punts- Avg. – Rappahannock – 2-18.0, Rye Cove – 4-42,8
Total To’s – Rappahannock – 1, Rye Cove 4
Total Yds. – Rappahannock – 510, Rye Cove 156
