PREP FOOTBALL: Richlands ousted by Cave Spring

ROANOKE, Va. – Shotgun season was open at Bogle Stadium and Josh Woodrum pulled the trigger often.

The 6-foot-3 junior quarterback rushed for 197 yards on 25 carries to guide the Cave Spring Knights to a 35-21 win over the Richlands Blue Tornado in Friday’s Group AA, Division 3 title game.

As expected, the long-awaited clash developed into a offensive showcase with both quarterbacks operating from the shotgun formation.

Richlands scored on its opening drive and built a 14-7 halftime lead behind Cody Johnson. The gritty 5-foot-10 senior rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries, accounted for all three scores and passed for over 110 yards before being forced out in the final seconds with an injury.

Austin Johnson added 79 yards rushing on four carries for Richlands, but the Blues simply could not find an answer for balanced and fast-paced Cave Spring offense.

“Cave Spring just pounded away at us and we couldn’t get them stopped,” said Richlands coach Greg Mance. “Cave Spring can run it and throw it, and they just keep putting pressure on the defense.”

According to Woodrum, the success of the Cave Spring offense was based on the counterpunch.

“We just figured if [Richlands] spread our offense out that we would run the ball up in there,” Woodrum said.

Richlands tied the game at 21 with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter when Austin Johnson scored a highlight-reel worthy 87-yard completion. The 6-foot-1 junior, who is one of the fastest prep players in Southwest Virginia, broke four tackles and cut across the field twice.

“I really felt we were going to win the game after that score,” Mance said. “We had the momentum and our kids were bouncing up and down, but we just couldn’t get our defense off the field.”

Cave Spring responded with a diverse nine-play drive that began on the Knights’ 33-yard line and ended with 2:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. Woodum set up the key score with a 23-yard run.

With precise ball fakes and alert play calls, Woodrum continually found seams in the Richlands defense. He worked well behind an all-senior offensive line and was complemented by sophomore tailback Sam Wright, who accounted for 102 yards rushing and three scores on 23 carries.

“We were able to make things happen when we used a two-back set,” Woordum said. “Our offensive line opened up the holes and I ran through them.”

In a showcase of the many dimensions of the spread formation, Woodrum passed for 126 yards and one touchdown in addition to his rushing heroics.

“We take advantage of whatever the defense gives us,” Woodrum said. “We can pass the ball or grind it out.”

Mance said that Woodrum is the centerpiece of the best offense the Blues faced all season.

“Everytime we got them in a third-down situation, Woodrum would do something,” Mance said. “The ol’ rascal just made play after play. Woodrum had been throwing the ball most of the time lately, but he can run it too.”

Cave Spring coach Tim Fulton reassured his 10-2 team at halftime. The Knight played without their defensive leader, 6-foot-2 junior Michael Cole, due to an injury.

“We told the boys just to hang in the game and keep doing what we were doing,” Fulton said. “I’m proud of these boys. The’ve been committed and disciplined, and now we’re reaping rewards.”

The Knights opened the second half with a 10-play, 86-yard scoring drive. The Cave Spring defense took over from there, especially after capitalizing on a fumble at Richlands 28-yard line midway through the third quarter.

Former Abingdon and Emory & Henry football standout Jamie Harless is the defensive coordinator for Cave Spring.

Mance paid credit to his 10-2 team, which won its sixth straight Southwest District title with just five seniors.

“The kids represented the Southwest District and our town very well,” Mance said. “We’re used to playing into December, but you can say that the team won tonight.”