EC Glass defense and special teams the difference in win
Daleville, VA– The EC Glass Hilltoppers traveled to Daleville to take on the Lord Botetourt Cavaliers in the season opener in a battle of two of the areas best. Watching these teams take the field was like watching two locomotives on a collision course. Both teams have the size of some college squads, and if you don’t believe me, you can check out the made for TV production to see the entire game on the Crunch website – crunchhssports.com – check it out!
After the clouds broke and a 30 minute weather delay, the Cavaliers kicked off to the Hilltoppers and the new season began. EC Glass started fast and jumped out to a 14-0 lead with just under 6 minutes into the 1st quarter courtesy of two QB 16 George White touchdown passes. Lord Botetourt’s QB 7 Jakari Nicely was up to the challenge and notched two running scores for his part. In the end, EC Glass’ bend-but-don’t-break defense coupled with two LB special team mistakes proved to be too much for the Cavaliers to overcome. The Hilltoppers were able to head back to Lynchburg with a 28-14 quality win over a quality opponent, their second win in two years.”
Three things stood out in this football game, the first being the quarterback play for each team. EC Glass’ QB, George White was
5/7 for 73 yards in the 1st quarter with touchdown strikes from 14 and 31 yards out. He also showed he could run when he needed it, picking up 24 scrambling yards before his 3 yard TD run on a 4th and goal, midway in the 2nd quarter. As for the Cavaliers, QB Jakari Nicely had a monster rushing game. He carried the ball 37 times for 190 yards with touchdown runs of 5 and 7 yards. Nicely is also a starting defensive back, so rarely does he come off the field and that made his offensive performance all the more impressive.
The second aspect of the game that factored in the outcome was special teams play. EC Glass was able to capitalize on LB mistakes and put 14 points on the board. The first came after the Hilltoppers’ opening score. K 44 Will Pacot kicked a high, short ball on the ensuing kickoff that was misplayed by LB and was recovered
recovered by 12 Christopher Walker-Wells
by EC Glass WR 12 Christopher Walker-Wells. It only took 12 seconds for the Hilltoppers to find the end zone again when QB White hit RB/LB 10 Taeon Mosby running open down the middle for a 31 yard TD reception. Later in the 4th quarter, Glass RB/DE 9 Braydon Morgan blocked a Cavalier punt and teammate HB/LB 4 Avante Brown got the scoop and score from the 12 yard line. Lord Botetourt also came up with a big special team play in the 2nd quarter when TE/DL 0 Kendal Howard broke through and blocked the Hilltopper punt. His punt block gave new life to the LB offense with a 1st and 10 at the EC Glass 21 yard line with 1:49 left before the half. The Cavaliers, however, came up just short from cashing in for a TD when QB 7 Nicely slipped down at the 1 as the 2nd quarter ran out.
The third element that stood out was the EC Glass defensive effort. Lord Botetourt rushed the ball 55 times for 259 yards, had 13 first downs and held on to the ball for 29 mins of the total 48 game minutes. Against most teams, that offensive performance would
Kendal Howard blocks and EC Glass punt late in the second quarter
produce a win. The Hilltopper defense was somehow able to get three 4th down stops when the Cavaliers were knocking on the door. EC Glass’ big boys up front, their speed on the outside and their sheer effort made it a hard combination for the Cavaliers to break. Hats off to the EC Glass defense, their play was the key to their 28-14 victory. – T Mac
Offense:
Rushing – EC Glass – Lyvarius Gilbert 2-16, Michael Thomas 16-38, Brayden Morgan 2-5, George White 5-24, TD, Taeon Mosby 1-4, Jerry Cashwell 1-2 Lord Botetourt – Jakari Nicely 37-190, 2 TD, Andrew Gilbert 2-4, Tristan Overbay 4-7, Cade Lang 8-34, Zion Woody 4-26, Cody McConnaughey1-2
Passing – EC Glass – George White 9/17-90, 2TD, INT
Lord Botetourt – Jakari Nicely 3/4-0
Receiving – EC Glass – Samuel Treacy 3-28, Taeon Mosby 3-44, TD, Lyvarius Gilbert 3-18, TD Lord Botetourt – Andrew Gilbert 2-(-1), Tristan Overbay 1-1
Punting – EC Glass – 3-37.6 yd. avg. Lord Botetourt – 2-30 yd. avg.
Kicking – EC Glass – Pacot 4/4 PAT Lord Botetourt – Webb 2/2 PAT
Scoring:
First Quarter –
• EC Glass: L. Gilbert 14-yd pass from White; Pacot PAT (5:44)
• EC Glass: T. Mosby 31-yd pass from White: Pacot PAT (5:30)
Second Quarter –
• Lord Botetourt: J. Nicely 5-yd run; Webb PAT
• EC Glass: White 3-yd run; Pacot PAT (7:11)
Third Quarter –
Fourth Quarter –
• A. Brown 12-yd blocked punt return; Pacot PAT (11:11)
• Lord Botetourt: Nicely 7-yd run; Webb PAT (11:57)
