Leedy has big game as Appalachia beats Pound

Cody Dalton
Sports Writer

Pound – Senior Brett Leedy had 299 rushing yards and five touchdowns, as the Appalachia Bulldogs spoiled Pound’s homecoming, 44-12.

“Brett is our ‘bread and butter’,” said Appalachia coach Roger Austin. “He is going to get the tough yards inside, but has the speed to break it outside. We are going to get on his back and can only going to go as far as he takes us.”

To open the game, Pound (0-5, 0-2) tried some trickery. After Appalachia won the toss and opted to receive, the Wildcats attempted an onside kick and it was recovered by Pound’s Erik Bolling.

The Wildcats wouldn’t convert on the drive and gave up the ball on a failed fourth down conversion. Both teams played tough throughout the first and exchanged possessions twice.

The first score wouldn’t occur until the clock showed 0:00 in the first quarter. Leedy broke a 19-yard run to the end zone, giving Appalachia (3-2, 1-1) the early 6-0 lead, after a missed two point conversion.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Pound had an answer. Senior Chris Hughes would break for a 51-yard run and a touchdown. Hughes led the Wildcats with 60 yards rushing in the game. After another missed two-point conversion attempt, the game would be tied, 6-6.

It would take Appalachia only 32 seconds to answer Pound’s score. Leedy would have two runs for 55 yards in the drive and scored on a 16-yard run.

Defense shined in the rest of the quarter. Pound held Appalachia to a failed fourth down attempt after an Erik Bolling sack. Appalachia would also get defensive, as Cody Carter intercepted Aaron Balthis on a half back pass on the 1-yard line. The score at halftime was 12-6.

Pound would get the ball to start the second half, but stalled and punted on fourth down. The Bulldogs would block the punt by Erik Bolling. Bolling recovered the ball and ran, but failed to get a first down.

The Bulldogs immediately went on the attack. Morgan Ireson ended their drive with a 53-yard run for a score. After the first successful two point conversion of the game, the score was 20-6.

It took Pound only a little over a minute to answer, as quarterback Devin Dotson found Aaron Balthis for a 76-yard pass. The conversion failed and Appalachia would lead, 20-12.

The rest of the game was all Appalachia. Leedy would have his way again on the next drive, rushing for a 27-yard touchdown. Appalachia led, 26-12, after another failed conversion.

Appalachia would kick the ball of to Pound, only to have the return muffed and stopped at the 1-yard line. This would be crucial, as two plays later the Wildcats were caught holding in the end zone, which led to a safety. The third quarter ended with a 28-12 lead by Appalachia.

The fourth quarter would be all Appalachia’s, as Leedy would score twice on short runs of one and three yards and Appalachia took the win, 44-12. Coach Austin was pleased with his team’s efforts in the second half of play.

“We came out in the second half and played a little bit better and smarter,” Austin said. “I credit our kids because they came together at halftime. I think Pound played real well though.”

Pound coach Chris Crabtree declined to comment on the game.

Despite how well that Brett Leedy played, Austin credits his offensive line for how well the Bulldogs played against Pound.

“I think our offensive line blocked really well and got our backs some yards,” Austin said. “Our offensive line worked all week on blocking and talking and all of the basic things.”

Regardless of the final score, Austin saw some problem places that need to be worked on in order to get better.

“We made some tremendous amount of mistakes and a lot of penalities,” Austin said. “We need to continue to work hard and improve. I am impressed with our kids in the second half. A win is a win and that is what we need to build on next week.”

Next week, Appalachia will play Oct. 8 at St. Paul, while Pound will be hosting J.I. Burton.