Bears survive shootout, take first playoff win since 1996
Bland County (64) vs. Patrick Henry (57)
Written: Nov 14, 2015
By TIM HAYES
EMORY, Va. — Bland County freshman quarterback Jacob Watters sparked an offense that rolled up 614 yards of total offense in surviving for a 64-57 triumph over Patrick Henry in the first round of the 1A West playoffs.
PH (8-3) scored eight touchdowns and finished with 567 yards of total offense of its own, but it wasn’t enough for the win. Junior running back Dakota Humphrey compiled 312 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns in the loss.
The outcome of the offensive showcase was decided on a defensive play from a guy playing an unfamiliar position. Isaiah Boyd sacked Patrick Henry quarterback Zane Seymore on fourth down with 1:13 remaining to seal Bland’s first playoff victory since 1996.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever played defensive end and coach told me to sack the quarterback and that’s what I did,” Boyd said. “This was incredible. I’ve never been in the playoffs before and to get this win is amazing.”
Watters rushed for four touchdowns and also threw two touchdown passes, the last of which put Bland (8-3) up 64-49 with 2:10 left.
However, PH made one last-ditch effort at a comeback attempt as Humphrey turned a swing pass from Seymore into a 65-yard touchdown on PH’s first offensive play of the ensuing possession.
The Rebels then recovered an onside kick, but couldn’t convert as Boyd’s sack sealed it. Bland was absent two starters.
“Give all the credit to Bland County,” said PH coach Mark Palmer. “They played a great game and made plays when they had to. It was just a great game. If you would have told me earlier in the week that we’d score 57 points and we were going to lose, I’d say no way. Their quarterback just made some plays.”
Boyd (145 yards), Brian Arnold (129 yards) and 5-foot-8, 245-pound bruiser Dylan Jackson (116 yards) led Bland’s offensive arsenal. The option caused nightmares for the Rebels.
“They weren’t hard to figure out,” Humphrey said. “We just couldn’t get outside contain.”
Humphrey wound up 17 yards short of reaching the 3,000-yard mark for the season.
PH hosted a playoff game for the first time since 1997.
Bland County 7 21 12 24—64
Patrick Henry 7 13 23 14—57
Scoring Summary
BC — Watters 4 run (E. Buchanan kick)
PH — Humphrey 48 run (Walsh kick)
PH — Co. Buchanan 61 pass from Seymore (Walsh kick)
BC — Watters 3 run (E. Buchanan kick)
PH — Humphrey 69 run (pass failed)
BC — Arnold 24 run (kick failed)
BC — Watters 1 run (Boyd run)
PH — Humphrey 62 run (Co. Buchanan pass from Humphrey)
BC — Watters 9 run (kick failed)
PH — Sanders 61 pass from Seymore (Walsh kick)
BC — Boyd 30 pass from Watters (run failed)
PH — Humphrey 59 run (Co. Buchanan pass from Seymore)
BC — Boyd 49 run (Boyd run)
BC — Jackson 9 run (Watters run)
PH — Humphrey 1 run (pass failed)
BC — Boyd 65 pass from Watters (Jackson run)
PH — Humphrey 65 pass from Seymore (Humphrey run)
Team Stats
First Downs: BC 23, PH 15; Rushes-Yards: BC 58-489, PH 35-341; Passing Yards: BC 125, PH 226; Comp.-Att.-Int.: BC 4-8-0, PH 7-18-1; Fumbles-Lost: BC 1-1, PH 1-0; Penalties-Yards: BC 6-45, PH 7-55; Punts-Average: BC 3-30.7, PH 4-34
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