Buffaloes break open tight game early in route to a 20-6 win at home
Winfred Beale Field, Floyd, VA – A great night for football at Winfred Beale Field, named after the head coach, didn’t disappoint. The Buffaloes of Floyd County entertained the Cavaliers of Carroll County. The first half was a defensive battle as both teams scored but once.
Floyd managed their points on an opening 10 play drive ending in a Senior WR/DB 7 Ryan Swortzel hauling in a 23 yard touchdown from Sophomore QB 9 Sam Phillips. Carroll County turned the ball over on downs on their first possession. That kind of told you the mindset of these two teams – all in.
Floyd County’s third play of their next series witnessed Cavalier Sophomore DB 11 Isiah Easter picking off a Phillips pass. However, the Buffalo jubilation wouldn’t last long. The Cavaliers returned the favor on their second play. Sophomore WR/DB 11 Aiden Bain turned the trick with an INT of Junior QB 3 Bryce Smoot. Back and forth they’d go. A few series later, Carroll County would go on a 16 play, 92 yard march with Smoot finding Bain for the score through the air. But the Cavaliers would miss the extra point putting them down 7-6.
That’s how the first half ended. The second half, the two clubs picked up where they left off trading turnovers. Floyd County finally began separating from the Cavaliers when Senior RB 21 Lathom Barbieri bolted, untouched, 39 yards for the TD. Barbieri was quick to complement the big guys up front, “The line just opened it up perfectly.” Floyd led 14-6. The home team was able to add one more Barbieri score from a yard out in the last minutes of the game. Both teams battled hard all night. It was Floyd’s run game that eventually settled the affair. – Dylan James
