Grayson scores 26 straight to top ‘Dogs
Tazewell (13) vs. Grayson County (26)
Written: Sep 11, 2015
By LARRY HYPES
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
TAZEWELL, Va. — Closer, but still no cigar.
Tazewell jumped out to an early 7-0 lead but Grayson County relentlessly battled back and captured a 26-13 non-district win over the Bulldogs Friday. Twenty-six unanswered points for the Blue Devils (3-0) proved decisive while THS (0-3) is still searching for that elusive first triumph.
“It was a close game for a while,” said Dog head coach Shane Allen. “We just had too many of those little mistakes. A little here and a little there and the first thing you know the other team builds a lead that is hard to overcome.”
It appeared that the Bulldogs were on their way with an impressive opening march. Led by the running of Josh Hayes and T.J. Kitts, plus a 14-yard pass to Dakota Crouse and a 13-yard aerial to Corey Brewster, Tazewell moved from the Dog 27 down to the Devil four-yard stripe.
Hash dashed in for the touchdown, giving Tazewell a 6-0 lead with 6:17 on the first-quarter clock. Josh Murray booted the PAT and the Dogs led 7-0 after fashioning a 10-play, 73-yard drive.
A big home crowd, excited as the team emerged from the James C. Ramey Sr. Athletic Complex for the first time, was hopeful for a win in the first home game of the season.
At that point, Grayson’s smart and strong passer, senior quarterback Tyler Lundy, settled his team and helped the Blue Devils begin the turnaround.
Sparked by Isaac Flippin’s running, Lundy & Co., including receivers Seth Phillips and Tanner McPherson, GCHS moved steadily upfield after beginning on their own 35. Flippin had a 21-yard gain and the drive ended as Lundy fired a 9-yard touchdown toss to Phillips. Tanner Jackson kicked the extra point and tied the score at 7-7 with 2:03 remaining in the quarter.
A pair of touchdowns before the break gave Grayson a stranglehold on the scoreboard. First, however, the Blue Devils made a game-changing defensive stand.
Tazewell drove down to the Grayson two-yard line before stalling after having a first down on the five. Four plays later, the Devils emerged with the ball, refusing to yield a point.
Lundy and Phillips teamed up for 30 yards in two plays. McPherson added a 32-yard catch and Lundy finally capped the 98-yard, 9-play drive with a touchdown. It came with 4:07 remaining in the half and Jackson’s kick put the Devils head for good, at 14-7.
The fired-up Grayson group added a touchdown when Lundy lofted a perfect back-shoulder pass in the right corner of the end zone to Tony Osborne for 11 yards with :11 to go before halftime. The kick was wide and GCHS led 20-7.
Lundy threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to McPherson with 11:54 left in the game. When the Dog defense tackled the Grayson signal caller on a two-point try, the Blue Devils led 26-7 by virtue of a 35-yard, 7-play drive.
T. J. Kitts, who had a good night statistically for the Bulldogs, made a fine throw to a wide open Mason Mullins late in the game for a 30-yard touchdown. Mullins scored with 4:58 left. A high snap and low kick left the tally at 26-13. The Blue Devils’ Phillips had a late interception but took a knee and the winners ran out the clock.
Lundy had a great game, finishing with 20 completions in 24 attempts, good for 220 yards and three TD passes. He also ran for a score. Flipping led the rushing attack with 92 yards.
Kitts topped Tazewell, totaling 80 yards passing including the touchdown and adding 40 rushing yards.
Overall, the Bulldogs had 128 yards on the ground but Grayson was slightly better with 147. In the air, the Devils led 220-80. Grayson County had a 16-8 first down advantage and topped in total yards, 357-208.
Tazewell travels to Chilhowie Friday to play the Warriors in a 7 p.m. start.
At Bulldog Stadium/Witten Field
Grayson County...............7 13 0 6 — 26
Tazewell....................7 0 0 6 — 13
First Quarter
T – Hayes, 4-yard run (Murray kick) 6:17
G – Phillips, 9-yard pass from Lundy (Jackson kick)
Second Quarter
G – Lundy, 6-yard run (Jackson kick) 4:07
G – Osborne, 19-yard pass from Lundy (kick failed) :11
Fourth Quarter
G- McPherson, 10-yard pass from Lundy (run failed) 11:54
T – Mullins, 30-yard pass from Kitts (kick failed) 4:58
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