Radford…The game was delayed for 15 minutes due to lightning. Then Radford struck on the first play as their defense sacked the Fort Chiswell Pioneers quarterback in the end zone. They would continue to dominate on defense as they defeated the visiting Fort Chiswell Pioneers 26-6.

Radford, after the opening safety, would then get a 37-yard field goal from Conner Lytton at the 8:47 mark of the first quarter and hold that lead 5-0 after one quarter. The Bobcats would get a 16-yard run for six and a five-yard run both from quarterback Zane Rupe to take a 19-0 advantage in the second quarter and into halftime.

The Bobcats (2-1) would score as Rupe would hit Trace Shepherd for a 24-yard touchdown, and Lytton’s point made it 26-0 with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

Fort Chiswell (1-2) finally got on the board with just 2:29 left in the game as Denver Brown bulled his way in from two yards out. The score capped an 80-yard drive on nine plays, but their point after kick was blocked. Before that possession, Radford’s defense had held the Pioneers to just 87 total yards. Brown led the Pioneers with 165 yards rushing on 19 rushes. The rest of the Pioneers had but two yards rushing on 20 carries.

Radford got 105 yards on 15 rushes from P J Prioleau. He also caught three passes for 43 yards. Justice Marshall carried the ball seven times for 33 yards. Rupe completed 11 of 15 passes for 128 yards as he tossed one touchdown.

 

“I thought we played a fairly complete game tonight on both sides of the ball,” said a pleased Radford head coach Matthew Saunders. We did some really good things on offense and defense. I thought we made some good adjustments as the game went on tonight.” Coach Saunders then remarked, “I thought Ethan Hoffman played a heck of a defensive game. He is always on full go. He brings a lot of energy and I thought PJ (Prioleau) and Zane (Rupe) played well for us.”

“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Pioneer head coach Josh Wingate. We play and move the ball then we commit a penalty or miss a block.” Coach then added, “Radford has speed, are athletic and they were very physical tonight. They are a good football team.”

Radford will travel next week to Gretna and the Fort Chiswell Pioneers will host the Floyd Co. Buffaloes. Both games are scheduled for 7:00 pm next Friday.

(Photos Courtesy of RSN Staff)

 

 

Radford 5 14 7 0 -26

Fort Chiswell 0 0 0 6 – 6

 

First Downs – Radford -20, FC- 9

 

Total Yards – Radford – 313, FC -167

Rushing – Radford – Prioleau 15-105, Rupe 9-12, Marshall 7-33, Shepherd 3-16, Brubeck 2-18, Baylor 1-0, Johnson 1-1

– Fort Chiswell – Brown 19-165, Crockett 11 – (-9), Johnson 6-1, Bailey 3-10

Passing- Radford – Rupe – 11-15- 0 Ints.- 1 TD.- 128 yds., FC- Crockett – 0 -0 -0-Ints.- 0 TD. -0yds

Receptions- Tanner 3-24 yds., Prioleau 3-43, Shepherd 5-61-1TD.