BY JOHNNY WILSON
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
BRISTOL, Va. – Fireworks were scheduled to follow Friday night’s Graham-Virginia High football game, but somebody lit the fuse just after kickoff, and the two old-time rivals put on a show for the ages.
Andy Bowers scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper with 1:17 to play, capping a 46-yard drive and lifting the Bearcats to a scintillating 46-45 non-district victory over their visitors from Bluefield.
Bearcat head coach Chris Thurman was still holding his breath when the offensive fireworks had ended.
“I don’t know really what to say,” said Thurman, whose club moved to 3-1 with the win. “You go down there and score for the lead and wonder if you left them too much time.
“You play real well on one side of the ball but then you can’t stop anybody defensively. We are a work in progress for sure.”
On a night in which each team compiled over 500 yards in total offense, Virginia High scored the last 12 points of the game just as it seemed Graham (0-3) might claim its first victory.
When multi-talented David Marrs scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, Graham took a 45-34 lead with 4:50 remaining. But Virginia High still had some gas in the tank.
The Bearcats, who got over 200-yards rushing and two touchdowns from the super-exciting running back Damon Dock, took the ensuring kickoff and moved 55 yards to the end zone in seven plays. Josh Jordan got the score, spearing a 22-yard toss from Bowers, to cut the deficit to 45-40 with 3:20 on the clock.
Perhaps figuring his defense was not going to get his offense the ball back, Thurman called for an onside kick that Jordan snagged after a ricochet off a Graham player.
Back in business, the Bearcats confidently used seven plays to move into the end zone, taking their lead on a patented Bowers keeper.
“I give the glory to God,” gushed Bowers, who ran for three touchdowns and threw for two. “It just all came together in the end.
“I was smelling the end zone on that last drive.’’
In addition to Bowers and Dock, Jordan was key for Virginia High, as the sophomore also scored on a catch-and-run of Bowers’ screen pass that covered 52 yards.
“Jordan is a great athlete,” said Bowers. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Graham had one last chance in the final minute, moving 53 yards down to the Virginia High 27, but workhorse runner Tanner Howell was swarmed under by a host of Bearcats in the game’s waning seconds, and the G-Men could not get off one more play.
Howell scored three times in defeat, including an 80-yard run to give Graham a 29-27 lead with 1:27 left in the third period.
Fellow running back Zack Michel scored twice for the G-Men, on runs of 45 and 52 yards.
Graham led 16-14 at halftime.
Graham 8 8 13 16 – 45
Virginia High 14 0 13 19 – 46
Scoring Summary
VH-Dock 10 run (Frye kick)
G-Howell 34 pass from D.Marrs (Michel pass from D.Marrs)
VH-Bowers 9 run (Frye kick)
G-Howell 1 run (D.Marrs run)
VH-Jordan 53 pass from Bowers (kick failed)
G-Michel 45 run (Pelts kick)
VH-Bowers 5 run (Frye kick)
G-Howell 80 run (kick failed)
VH-Dock 19 run (Frye kick)
G-Michel 52 run (Howell pass from D.Marrs)
G-D.Marrs 1 run (Michel run)
VH-Jordan 22 pass from Bowers (pass failed)
VH-Bowers 2 run (pass failed)
Team Statistics
First Downs: G 16, VH 24; Rushes-Yards: G 47-451, VH 51-364; Passing Yards: G 96, VH 177; Passes: (A-C-I) G 6-13-0, VH 13-23-2; Fumbles-Lost: G 3-2, VH 2-1; Penalties: G 7-75, VH 6-45; Punts: G 4-47, VH 0-0.
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