Christiansburg’s defense shines in hard fought 22-13 win
Christiansburg, VA – The Blue Demons passed a big early season test on Thursday night. Perennial power Abingdon came to town and C-burg picked their pockets.
Literally, Coach Alex Wilken’s team used two early ‘picks’ or interceptions, one for a touchdown, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Blue Demon Coach Alex Wilkens summed it up, “Interceptions you never really expect to get…(you) have to rely on kids to make plays.”
And make them they did. DB 11 Jeremiah Thompson jumped a pass and took it back 45-yards to make it 15-0 with :37 left in the first. C-burg had taken the lead 8-0 on a 72-yard run by QB 7 Cam Cooper and a two point run by QB/RB/S 4 Tanner Evans. Evans, a bull, got the 2-point opportunity after a Falcon penalty on the point after kick. Even so, Abingdon clawed their way back into it with a one yard scoring run by QB 3 Lucas Honaker to tighten the score at 15-7 mid third quarter. Evans made it a two score cushion on a one-yard run with 8:09 left in the fourth. The Falcons responded with a 3-yard TD run by FB 44 Issac Doss, but C-burg was able to milk the clock and salt away their second win of the season. Wilkens spoke about the Falcons post game, “They are consistently right there (at the top). We know we are going to have to beat teams like that to achieve our goals.”
Christiansburg’s defense may have been the real start in this game, as they bottled up Abingdon all night. The Blue Demons held the Falcons to 95 yards on 23 carries for the game. That coupled with the two interceptions made it tough for Abingdon to move the ball.
Even so the visitors never quit and kept it close, 15-0, at the half. Abingdon’s defense got into the fray in the second half forcing two fumbles. The second cut the Christiansburg lead to 15-7. But good teams answer the bell when challenged. And that’s what the Demon’s did. C-burg ran clock. They didn’t score but they ate up the rest of the third quarter. “I’m proud of the guys taking off time, eating the clock. That’s what good teams do. They get the lead and protect,” said Wilkens. Christiansburg held the Falcons on their next drive and then added to their cushion. RB 4 Tanner Evans finished it off from the one. Evans was key on defense as well. “The game tonight that Tanner Evans played might be one of the best I’ve witnessed in person. To make plays for a loss (on runs) for a middle third Safety… the tackles he made running from sideline
to sideline was an incredible performance. Heckuva a football player.” Linebacker 10 Curtis Altizer was another standout with 13 tackles, DB 12 Thaxton Henley to the other Interception in the first quarter. for the defense. Don’t be surprised if you see these two meet again in the playoffs come late November. . – Capt’n Crunch
Offense:
Rushing – Christiansburg – Max Fernandez 7/6, Cam Cooper 9/87, TD, Tanner Evans 14/61, 2ptr, TD, Kendrick Long 6/22 Abingdon – Lucas Honaker 10/11, TD, Ector Taylor 6/21, Isaac Doss 1/3, TD, John Long 2/3
Passing – Christiansburg – Cam Cooper 2/5, 33 Abingdon – Lucas Honaker 6/10, 85, 3 INTs
Receiving – Christiansburg – Jeremiah Thompson 1/6, (44) 1/27 Abingdon – Lucas Brooks 2/43, Aidan Woods 2/35, John Long 1/3, Ector Taylor 1/3, Caden Sheffield 1/4
Punting – Christiansburg – Curtis Altizer 2/42 yd avg Abingdon – Lucas Honaker 2/33 yd avg
Scoring:
First Quarter –
• Christiansburg: C. Cooper 72-yard run; Tanner Evans 3yds 2 ptr (1:45)
• Christiansburg: Jeremiah Thompson 32-yd INT for TD; S. Conner PAT (0:37)
Second Quarter –
Third Quarter –
• Abingdon: L. Honaker 1 yard run; T. Reid PAT (6:45)
Fourth Quarter –
• Christiansburg: T. Evans 1-yard run; S. Conner (8:09)
• Abingdon: I. Doss 3-yard run; PAT no good (5:10)
