Bobcats clinch share of district championship, as Eagles continue tumble

By Cody Dalton
Sports Correspondent

RADFORD – The Radford Bobcats kept their undefeated district streak in tact on Friday, as the handed Auburn yet another Three Rivers District loss at home, 52-12. In the process, Radford clinched a share of the district crown.

The Bobcats (6-3, 4-0) used a strong first quarter rushing performance to help distance themselves from Auburn (1-8, 0-4). D.J. Palmer would open up the scoring in the first quarter on a huge 14-yard run, giving the Bobcats the early lead.

Grant Mitchell and Sam Mumpower would add two more scores on runs of 24 and 2 yards respectively. Before the close of the first, Palmer would get his feet going again. This time, it would be a huge 48-yard run, as the Bobcats took a commanding 28-0 lead after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, Palmer would score again. It wouldn’t be on a run this time though, but rather his special teams play. He would return an Auburn punt 40 yards for a touchdown.

Quarterback Dontae Carter would add the final score of the half on a 7-yard quarterback keeper, as the Bobcats went into the halftime break leading 42-0 on the Eagles.

Auburn would get their offense going in the second half. After Radford opened the third quarter scoring with a field goal, Eagles quarterback Zac Blankenship would guide his team down the field. Blankenship capped the drive himself, scoring on a 15-yard run, as the Eagles got on the board for the first time.

Radford backup quarterback Timmy Whorles would make the most of an opportunity to get some playing time. He would connect with teammate Josh Mulky for a 20-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Auburn would add their final score of the quarter and game on a Josh Toney 3-yard scamper. However, the Eagles six turnovers in the game would doom them and Radford earned another district win.

Palmer finished the game with 70 yards rushing, two rushing touchdowns, and one punt return for a touchdown).

With Radford winning, they have officially clinched at least a share of the Three Rivers District Championship. The Bobcats can win the district outright with a win at home against Giles. The Spartans (6-3, 3-1) are fresh off of a 38-13 win over Floyd County.

Auburn will finish off their season against Eastern Montgomery. The Mustangs (7-2, 2-2) had a come-from-behind win last week to hand Glenvar their third district loss last week, 44-35.


Mustangs come from behind to edge Glenvar

By Cody Dalton
Sports Correspondent

SHAWSVILLE – It took two huge touchdowns from Michael Shelor in the fourth quarter, but the Eastern Montgomery Mustangs were able to slip by Three Rivers rival Glenvar for a hard fought home win on Friday, 44-35.

Glenvar (6-3, 1-3) would get the scoring going in the first quarter, as running back Zach Hill would plunge in from four yards out to give the Highlanders the early lead.

The Mustangs (7-2, 2-2) would answer through the air. Quarterback Shawn Christian would lead a strong drive, capping it off with a 14-yard pass to Julian Stewart to tie the game at 7-7.

Hill would once again score for Glenvar, but this time, it would be from long distance. He would burst out on a 43-yard touchdown run, giving the Highlanders the lead back once again.

Once again, Eastern Montgomery would answer. Running back Michael Shelor capped off another Mustang drive, scoring from two yards out to tie the game once again.

For the first time in the game, Glenvar would fail to score on an offensive possession and opened up the door for their opponents. Christian would take advantage and use his arm to once again score.

He would hit another offensive weapon, Brad Wooten, for the 12-yard score, as the Mustangs took their first lead of the game. The extra point would be missed and it was 20-14 in favor of the Mustangs after one.

Junior Tim Woods would get the Highlanders back in front. He would score on a six yard run, as Glenvar took the slim one-point lead.

Things held true once again in the game, as Eastern Montgomery found a way to score again. Christian would decide to use his legs this time, scoring on a 5-yard run and put the Mustangs back on top by a touchdown after a two-point conversion.

Just before halftime though, Glenvar quarterback Cameron Holshouser would find teammate Richard Gleason in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. That tied the game at 28-28 heading into the halftime break.

As offensive as the first half was, the second half didn’t even come close. The third quarter saw only one score, which was by Glenvar. Hill would get his third and final touchdown of the game from three yards out, as Glenvar took the 35-28 lead heading into the final frame. He finished with 133 rushing yards and three scores in the game.

Eastern Montgomery would not let that stand long, as Shelor would find the end zone on a 3-yard run. An interesting two-point conversion call turned out to be smart one, as Christian found receiver Adam Sisson for the 36-35 Eastern Montgomery lead.

Shelor would add yet another touchdown in the final quarter, this time from 54 yards out, and the Mustang defense stifled Glenvar to seal the victory. Shelor finished with 141 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns. Christian also had a strong game by throwing for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Eastern Montgomery will wrap up their regular season against Auburn, who will welcome the Mustangs next week. The Eagles (1-8, 0-4) lost their fourth straight district game last week in Radford to the Bobcats, 52-12, and have lost eight straight games in a row.

(11-4-09)