Radford’s Clark gets two ‘pick 6’s’ in the 2nd half to secure win over Appomattox
Norman G. Lineburg Field, Radford, VA – Radford finally got the monkey off their backs by beating Appomattox Friday night 50-30 in the Regional Semifinals. Appomattox had represented the region 5 of the last 6 years. Radford Senior WR/LB 18 Max Kanipe had a big night, again, with 6 catches for 164 yards and a score. Kanipe knew Appomattox would be a challenge, “(It was a) hard fought football game for four quarters. We just came out and executed, controlled the tempo on offense to make it easier on our defense.”
Kanipe was the beneficiary of throws from QB/S 7 Landen Clark who was sensational. Clark finished the night 12/23, 269, TD passing and 16/100, 2TDs rushing. That was impressive, but this night it was Clark’s efforts on defense that stood out. Once the rain started at the beginning of the second half, Appomattox closed the gap to 30-22 with 3:22 left in the third quarter on QB 5 Gray Peterson’s 26-yard TD pass to WR 2 Max Nitti, and the subsequent two point toss.
Clark answered with a one-yard TD run following a 24-yard pass to WR 5 Luke Woodard. But following that, on back to back Appomattox offensive plays, Clark picked off QB 1 Reagan Conroy, and returned it for a touchdown, 60 and 36 yards respectively. The ‘pick 6’s’ were big. Radford Coach Michael Crist was happy with his team’s start, “Felt like we executed real well. We got off to a good start which was something we didn’t do a year ago.”
The rain was about the only thing that slowed the Bobcats. Defensively, MLB 52 Charlie Davis led the Raider stopping with 15 tackles, 4 solos. LB’s 28 Brandon Thompson and 22 Sam Khandan-Barani chipped in with 12 apiece. Next up for the Bobcats is Glenvar who Radford beat earlier this year.
Crist has a lot of respect for the Highlanders and what his team needs to do, “(When) You’re practicing on Thanksgiving it’s special. The reality (for us) is that it is all about us. It always is. What do we have to do to prepare, and that’s where our focus will be. They are a great team, well coached.” – Cap’n Crunch
OFFENSE:
Rushing:
Radford– Landen Clark 16,100,2TDs, J.D. Grubb 14/36,2TDs, Sincere Taylor 1/8 Appomattox County – Reagan Conroy 17/69,TD, Gray Peterson 11/31, De’Montay Fleshman 1/4, Daniel Bradley 11/51, Xavier Moseley 3/14, Tre Kelso 9/32
Passing:
Radford– Landen Clark 12/23,269,TD Appomattox County– Reagan Conroy 7/12,91,TD,2INT, Gray Peterson 2/4,24
Receiving:
Radford– Max Kanipe 6/164,TD, Sincere Taylor 4/73, Luke Woodard 2/32 Appomattox County – Max Nitti 5/64,2TDs, Gray Peterson 2/27, DeMontay Fleshman 2/24,
Returns:
Radford– J.D. Grubb 3/21, Cole Martin 2/14 Appomattox County – Max Nitti 2/13, Xavier Moseley 1/11, Kaden Kesler 1/3
Punting:
Radford– Landen Clark 2/39 yd avg Appomattox County – Reagan Conroy 3/33 yd avg
Offense:
First Quarter-
Radford: Louis Webster 21-yard field goal (8:52)
Appomattox County: Xavier Moseley 5-yard TD run; Mark Aloese PAT (0:57)
Radford: Max Kanipe 58-yard TD reception from Landen Clark; Louis Webster PAT (0:39)
Second Quarter-
Radford: Max Kanipe 20-yard TD reception from Landen Clark; PAT blocked by Tyshaun Napier (7:48)
Radford: J.D. Grubb 9-yard TD run; PAT blocked by Tyshaun Napier (3:57)
Appomattox County: Max Nitti 33-yard TD pass from Reagan Conroy; Mark Aloese PAT (1:35)
Radford: Landen Clark 1-yard TD Run; PAT Louis Webster PAT (0:00)
Third Quarter-
Appomattox County: Max Nitti 27-yard TD pass from Reagan Conroy; Daniel Bradley 3-yard pass for 2-pointer from Gray Peterson (2:18)
Fourth Quarter-
Radford: Landen Clark 1-yard TD Run; PAT Louis Webster PAT (8:58)
Radford: Landen Clark 60-yard INT for TD; PAT Louis Webster PAT (3:09)
Radford: Landen Clark 36-yard INT for TD; PAT No good (3:09)
Appomattox County: Reagan Conroy 2-yard TD run; Mark Aloese PAT (0:59)