PREP: Bearcats open up with win

BY JOSH FLOYD
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

BRISTOL, Va. – As if on cue, the annual installment of the Sullivan Central-Virginia High gridiron struggle once again featured a zany, yet thrilling quarter.

But instead of the final frame, the Bearcats put on their late heroics 12 minutes earlier.

Down 14-9 at the break, Virginia High erupted for three third-quarter touchdowns – including a momentum-shifting 77-yard strike from Andy Bowers to Anthony McCoy – while its defense forced two critical Central fumbles in the final 10:39 to secure a thrilling 27-21 decision Friday at DeVault Stadium.

“I’m so glad we got out of here with the W,” admitted Bowers, who threw for 188 yards in Virginia High’s eagerly-awaited spread offensive attack. “I was cramping really badly, but I knew I had to stay out there and continue to execute.”

With the Cougars (0-2) drawing even at 21-21 behind a 43-yard end around bolt from Andrew Griffith late in the third, the Bearcats (1-0) wasted little time grabbing the advantage right back. Facing a subsequent 3rd-and-7 at the VHS 23, Bowers took the shotgun snap and rolled right.

Seeing nothing available, the Bearcats’ signal-caller bounced back right and planted his two feet in the middle of the pocket. And there, streaking down the middle of the field, was none other than McCoy – who hauled in the fingertip grab just past midfield and scooted untouched into the end zone.

“I really felt good about that one, especially with how badly I played in the first half,” McCoy admitted, referring to his two missed open-field tackles. “It’s really good to get this one.”

McCoy and his teammates, however, would have to profusely sweat it out, as the Cougars would start their next three drives less than 60 yards away from paydirt. However, Central couldn’t cash in on its opportunities, coughing up the ball inside Virginia High’s 10-yard line on two separate occasions.

“We kept hanging in there and making plays on defense when we could have folded,” Central coach Scott Nelson said. “But things like that happen, and for some reason, we just couldn’t get it in there.”

In a span of just 23 seconds, the Bearcats found the end zone twice. Following a five-yard TD run from Bowers, VHS added to its lead on the first of three Central fumbles, as corner Josh Jordan picked up an errant Taylor Winchell option pitch and went 26 yards the other way for a 21-14 advantage.

Like Bowers, Winchell ran the spread offense effectively – finishing with 213 yards of total offense, including 112 yards on 22 carries. Bowers, meanwhile, scampered for a game-high 126 yards on 25 attempts for the Bearcats, who captured victory after recovering four out of their five fumbles and going 0-for-3 on their final three PATs.

“It’s not the way I would have liked to win, but it’s much better than the alternative,” said VHS coach Chris Thurman, who notched his first victory in Bristol. “We’ve just got to get better out there.”

Sullivan Central 7 7   7 0–21
Virginia High 7 2 18 0–27
Scoring Summary
VHS – Bowers 3 run (Frye kick)
SC – Winchell 52 run (Culberson kick)
SC – Winchell 1 run (Culberson kick)
VHS – Sullivan Central snap out of end zone
VHS – Bowers 5 run (kick failed)
VHS – Jordan 26 fumble return (kick blocked)
SC – Griffith 43 run (Culberson kick)
VHS – McCoy 77 pass from Bowers (kick failed)
Total Statistics
First Downs: SC 15, VHS 18; Rushes-Yards: SC 33-187, VHS 41-159; Passing Yards: SC 101, VHS 188; Comp-Att-Int: SC 9-20-0, VHS 12-25-1; Fumbles-Lost: SC 5-3, VHS 5-1; Penalties-Yards: SC 8-76, VHS 8-45; Punts-Avg.: SC 3-36.7, VHS 3-43.