Altavista gets early lead, hangs on late to get win
William Campbell H.S., Naruna, VA –
The visiting Altavista Colonels jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first half and then had to weather a torrid, fourth quarter comeback by William Campbell to get the 29-22 win. Thirty seven points were put up on the board in the last quarter. Altavista took a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter and then the fireworks started. Campbell actually gained their first lead of the game at 16-14 with 8:33 left in the final stanza but untimely penalties and good play by the Colonels allowed the visitors to continue to answer Campbell’s scores. Down seven, the Generals last ditch effort had a chance in the left corner of the endzone but fell incomplete as time 
had already expired. Altavista Coach Andy Cox was happy with his teams ‘no quit’ mentality. “This is the first time that I’ve felt like we’ve been able to put almost four quarters together. There were no individuals out there tonight. It took the whole team, offense and defense, and special teams… I am proud of the guys.”
Altavista QB/DB 1 Jayllen Jones tries to avoid DL/OL 54 Zekeya Townes
First Quarter –
Altavista looked like they would get the games first points in the first quarter. The Colonels had used sixteen plays to move the ball down to the Generals fourteen before the defense forced QB 1 Jayllen Jones to cough up the ball on a sack and DE 54 Zekeya ‘Popcorn’ Townes scooped it up and advanced it to their own thirty-five until he was tripped up from behind.
DL 54 Zekeya ‘Popcorn’ Townes scoops up a fumble
Second Quarter –
Altavista got it back on first and second drives of the second quarter. The first scoring march was a ten play drive highlighted by some hard running by RB 4 Marquel Dawkins. The final play was a 6-yard toss to WR/LB 6 Makel Stone at 5:34 to make it 6-0. The extra point was blocked. The Colonels added to their lead the next time they got the ball. The Altavista defense forced a General’s fumble at their own twenty nine. Five plays later Dawkins took it the balance of the way from twelve yards out. The visitors went for two and QB 1 Jones found TE/LB 12 Tanner Cox in the back of the end zone. Altavista’s lead was now 14-0.
Altavista Head Coach Andy Cox talks over options with his QB 1 J.J.
William Campbell drove the ball back downfield before the half, but Altavista’s defense bowed up at their twenty-one and got the ball back as they held Campbell on downs. QB 2 Russell Thompson was sacked on the play. The half ended 6-0 Colonels.
Colonel LB/TE 12 Tanner Cox sacks Campbell QB 2 Russell Thompson
Third Quarter –
The third quarter saw three drives, two of them stopped on downs. Both William Campbell and Altavista moved the ball but came up short as they attempted to go for it on fourth down. The Generals next drive would prove fruitful. It started in the third quarter but would finish in the fourth.
William Campbell RB 21 Perry Elam attracts a crowd
Fourth Quarter –
It took the Generals thirteen plays to finally break the seal on their nights scoring. RB 21 Perry Elam carried the ball ten times in the series, finishing it off from five yards out. The Senior would not be denied on the ensuing 2-point run cutting Altavista’s lead to 14-6 with 8:33 left in the game. Campbell then executed the perfect onside kick with WR/DB 1 Deshawn Hamlett recovering the bounding ball. QB 2 Thompson wasted little time hitting WR 4 Randy Crabtree all alone running down the middle of the field for the 42-yard scoring strike.
General’s WR/DB 4 Randy Crabtree finishes off a touchdown catch and run
Campbell went for two again, handing the ball off to RB 21 Elam. The Back didn’t disappoint giving the Generals their first lead of the game. The home crowd loved the sudden burst of offense. It took Altavista only five plays to regain the lead three minutes later at 21-16. Starting QB 1 Jones had gotten dinged up on the kickoff return and was out. Enter Freshman QB 9 Jordan Pippin. The youngster handed off three times. On the fifth play, he faked a dive play, and kept it on a naked bootleg. He was the only one who thought that would happen and showed off his speed down the right sidelines in front of the William Campbell bench. Sixty five yards later, Altavista had the lead back. Coach Cox recognized the young mans efforts, “We had a Freshman step up when our Senior quarterback went down and he made a huge play for us.” Coach Danny Broggins kids weren’t done yet.
The William Campbell defense rallies to the ball
On the following kickoff, RB/LB 21 Elam took the kickoff and never slowed down. Elam rolled 85-yards to paydirt and gave the Generals the lead again 22-21. The two point try was no good this time.
Coach Andy Cox’s Altavista Colonels were not going to be denied this week. The Colonels, benefitting from a fifteen yard personal foul penalty, drove the ball 40-yards in two and a half minutes to retake the lead again.
Altavista QB/DB 1 Jayllen Jones gets loose as the Campbell defense gives chase
QB 1 Jones returned to the game and took it in from a yard out with two and a half minutes left. RB 4 Dawkins and QB 1 Jones handled the ball exclusively. The biggest play was a 24-yard run by Dawkins from the Generals thirty three down to the nine. Four plays later Jones capped it off. Campbell moved the ball back downfield and had one last play to score from the Colonel’s thirteen, but the pass fell incomplete with zero’s on the clock. Coach Cox summed it up best for his team, “Coach Broggin’s got a great squad over there… has a good thing going over there. We’ve had two tough losses, battling back from 0-2. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys.”
William Campbell QB 2 Russell Thompson looks for a receiver
Next up for Altavista is Appomattox. William Campbell will take on Nelson County. – Cap’n Crunch
Offense:
Rushing– Altavista – Dawkins 20-98, TD, 2 ptr, Jones 17-84, TD, Pippin 2-68, TD, Stone 1-15, Daris 4-13, Kelley 1-2, Davis 2-0 William Campbell – Elam 11-68, 2-2ptrs, Thompson 15-49, TD, Boyd 3-14
Passing– Altavista – Jones 3-5, 35, TD, 2 ptr William Campbell – Thompson 15-49, TD, 2-2 ptrs
Receiving– Altavista – Cothran 1-28, Davis 1-17, Cox 1-3 2ptr William Campbell – Crabtree 2-81, TD, Elam 3-72, Graves 1-16
Scoring:
- A: Jones 6-yard TD pass to Stone; PAT blocked
- A: Dawkins 12-yard TD run; Jones pass to Cox for 2-pt conversion
- WC: Elam 5-yard TD run; Elam 2-pt conversion
- WC; Thompson 42-yard TD pass to Crabtree; Elam 2-pt conversion
- A: Pippen 65-yard TD run; Quishpe PAT
- WC: Elam 85-yard Kickoff Return for a TD; 2-pt try no good
- A: Jones 9-yard TD run; Dawkins 2-pt conversion good
