By Rodney Young
NRVSports.net
Radford Bobcats hosted the Christiansburg Blue Demons in a benefit game, and three big plays went the Blue Demons’ way as they defeated the Bobcats 21-10.
Christiansburg got on the scoreboard with 4:31 left in the first quarter, as Thierry Macie intercepted Radford quarterback Peyton Dobbins and returned it 29 yards for the pick-six. Brock Schetselarr split the uprights for the 7-0 lead.
Radford would tie the game with 10:49 in the second quarter when QB Brady Sutherland hit Tucker Williams on a 59-yard touchdown pass, and Luciano Pugliese’s kick tied the game at seven.
The Blue Demons would strike quickly as, on their next possession, Dillinger Collins took a handoff around right end and raced down the Christiansburg sideline untouched for a 73-yard jaunt to paydirt. Schetselarr’s kick moved the score to 14-7, Blue Demons.
Radford would then drive the ball on their best drive of the game, only to see Colten Garner-Rollins fumble the ball at the Blue Demon goal line, and the officials ruled it a touchback.
The second half saw both teams use their second-string and junior varsity players, with Radford getting a 28-yard field goal from Pugliese to cut their deficit to 14-10 with 6:53 to go in the third quarter.
Christiansburg would put the game in the win column when Zack Hudson bullied his way in from three yards, and the point-after kick made the final score 21-10, with just four minutes remaining.
Radford QB Brady Sutherland threw for 90 yards, and William Dehart-Lewis had 24 yards on seven carries. Tucker Williams had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Christiansburg was led in rushing by Collins with 74 yards on just four carries and a touchdown. Hudson had a touchdown and rushed for 49 yards.
Radford finished with 209 total yards, and Christianburg had 200.
Radford head coach Michael Crist remarked, “ You never want to lose, but we had our opportunities. The interception and fumble were big. Then we had a couple of players out of position on the Christianburg long touchdown run.” He then added, “ We had good effort, and we need to fix a couple of things.”
Radford will start their regular season next Friday, August 28, at George Wythe High School. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm.
C-burg – 7 7 0 7-21
Radford – 7 0 3 0-10
