Blue Tornado blows past Gate City Blue Devils, 31-13
Richlands (31) vs. Gate City (13)
Written: Aug 26, 2011
MIKE DAVIS
for the Daily Telegraph
RICHLANDS, Va. — With Hurricane Irene set to pelt the east coast, a Tornado watch turned into a warning in Richlands Friday night with the Blues playing host to Gate City at Ematz Field.
The Tornado scored three first-half touchdowns and added a 48-yard field goal to break a school record before halftime on their way to a 31-13 non-district win over the Blue Devils.
“We really played great football in the first half,” Richlands head coach Greg Mance said. “We gave up one drive to Gate City, but, I think we executed the ball offensively, we threw the ball well and we seemed to be in rhythm and I think Reece Strong did an excellent job managing the game and we beat a great football team.”
The Tornado scored on the first possession of the game on a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took just under four minutes to complete. After an incompletion, Richlands quarterback Reece Strong found Devon Johnson on the right sideline and dropped in a pass for a 43-yard gain across midfield.
Three plays later, the Blue opted to go for it on fourth down and Strong scrambled past missed tackles for a 12-yard run to keep the drive alive. The Tornado moved the chains downfield and capped the journey when Johnson rolled through traffic on the right side for a 4-yard score with 8:14 on the first quarter clock. Strong booted the PAT to put the Blues up, 7-0. Gate City fumbled on the ensuing possession and the Tornado touched down again and scored in six plays for a 49-yard drive capped by Strong bowling over from the 1-yard line and kicked his second extra point of the night.
Then, the Blue Devils caught fire and pulled within a touchdown when Seaver Elliott scored on a 5-yard touchdown after Gate City half moved the ball 65 yards in 12 plays. Nick Bowen added the point after to reel in the Tornado, 14-7.
The tide was about to turn the Blue Devils way on Richlands next drive when the Blue coughed up the ball at their own 20-yard line and Gate City pounced on it. However, instead of taking advantage of the gift, Gate City couldn’t convert and the Tornado defense rose to the occasion stopping the Blue Devils in their tracks when they went three downs without a first and missed an extra point.
“Defense did a great job in stopping Gate City,” said Mance. “They picked up the intensity after we turned the ball over and that was the key to the game, but, we’ll go back to the drawing board and work on things.” “That fake punt made a big difference in the ballgame,” Gate City head coach Bill Houseright said. “We weren’t expecting it and neither were the kids.”
“We got more depth and get more disciplined and work on the little things.”
Richlands took over at their own 20-yard line and drive the ball 80 yards in 17 plays for a touchdown when Strong found A.J. Johnson breaking open near the goal line for a 21-yard touchdown. The Blues came up with a fake punt on fourth-and-17 when Michael Horton added 28 yards on the play.
“That’s not something you want to do on fourth and long, but, Michael did a good job executing the run,” said Mance. “He checked and made a great run.”
Gate City couldn’t find their groove and the Tornado defense backed them into their own end zone and forcing a punt on fourth down. The Blues signaled for a fair catch and opted for a free kick from their own 38-yard line. Strong hit a line drive to break the school record with a 48-yard field goal to give the Blues a 24-7 lead the break. After intermission, both teams added a touchdown in the fourth quarter when Bowen scored on a 26-yard broken play and Eric Johnson added a 3-yard touchdown for insurance with 1:12 remaining in the game. The Blues final touchdown was set up by a Josh Compton interception at the Gate City 25.
The Tornado finished the night with 158 yards on the ground with 106 through the air. Strong accountied for all of the passing yards completing 5-of-12 attempts with a touchdown passing and one rushing. He kicked four extra points and had a 48-yard field goal. Devon Johnson finished the night with 42 yards on seven attempts and a touchdown and Colton Staton had 13 carries for 43 yards.
The Blue Devils finished the night with 145 yards in total offense with 135 on the ground. Keith Murray and Elliott finished the night with five tackles to lead the Blue Devils and the Tornado was paced by Hunter Brown with six tackles and seven assists. Jeremy McGlothlin had five tackles with an assist and a quarterback sack for an 11-yard loss.
Next week the Blue Devils take on Harlan County and the Tornado travels to Bullitt Park to take on Union High School.
At Ernie Hicks Stadium
Gate City.................................0 7 0 6 — 13
Richlands.................................14 10 0 7 — 31
First Quarter
R – Johnson 4-yard run (Strong kick)
R – Strong 1-yard run (Strong kick)
Second Quarter
G – Elliott 5-yard run (Bowen kick)
R – A.J. Johnson pass from Strong (Strong kick)
R – Strong 48-yard kick
Fourth Quarter
G – Bowen 26-yard run (kick no good)
R – Eric Johnson 3-yard run (Strong kick)
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