After trailing 28-6 in the second quarter, Narrows (8-2, 4-1) rallied back and scored 28 unanswered against Parry McCluer (6-4, 4-1). Down 34-28, McCluer running back Marcellius Dawson scored from one yard out with 43 seconds remaining. Jacob Wooten booted the extra point, giving the Blues a share of the Pioneer District title with a 35-34 victory over the Green Wave.
McCluer got on the board first with a 13-yard pass from Zach Claytor to Bech Garrett. The two-point conversion was no good. Narrows answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Freeman to Dustin Wiley. After a missed extra point, it was tied at 6. The Blues dominated the second quarter, scoring 22 straight . Dawson scored from three yards out, then Austin Moore scored on an 81-yard punt return and 31-yard touchdown reception. Narrows scored on a three-yard plunge from Matthew Morgan. The Wave trailed 28-12 at the break.
Dawson rushed for 118 yards against the Green Wave (photo by Scott Dunn)
Narrows head coach Kelly Lowe made some key halftime adjustments, as Narrows took control in the third quarter. Cole Needham returned the kickoff to start the half for 65 yards to pay dirt. Then Freeman connected with Chase Blaker from 25 yards out. Narrows was successful on both two point conversions and tied the game at 28 going into the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Wyatt Freeman uses his legs while being pressured by the McCleur defense (photo by Scott Dunn)
Freeman used his legs to give the Wave the go ahead score from one yard out with 5:53 remaining. Coach Lowe chose to go for two, but the Blues defense stood tough. Narrows led 34-28.
On the following drive McCluer marched 53 yards in 10 plays to regain the lead. Dawson tied the score from one yard out, then Wooten converted the extra point with 43 seconds remaining to put the Blues on top 35-34.
Narrows still had a chance, but Dawson intercepted a pass from Freeman near midfield, securing the victory. Despite the loss, Narrows still receives a share of the Pioneer District title.
Dawson rushed 118 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Claytor completed 7-of-11 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Moore returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and also had a touchdown reception.
Freeman completed 10-of-21 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown.
Both teams clinched a spot in the Region 1C playoffs. In the regional quarterfinals Parry McCluer, who is seeded third, will host Bath County. Narrows, who is seeded second, will host Auburn in a rematch from week one. If both teams win, McCluer will travel to Narrows in a rematch in the regional semifinals.
Born in Pulaski, Va it only took a few years before I would end up in the beautiful Giles County where I would graduate in 2012 from Giles High School. Since the age of 4, Pearisburg has been my homeplace and I don’t have any plans to leave.
Sports have always been big in my family. My father was fortunate enough to be able to play football for the Spartans in 1978, which was the first year that Coach Steve Ragsdale introduced the single-wing offense which we will still run today.
My high school football career was cut short due to a knee injury that I sustained my junior year, but fortunately I was able to compete in the State Championship my senior year as a shot put thrower on the track and field team.
I now get to enjoy the football games in the stands with my father as we are known as, “them guys with the train horn,” which we take to every football game. GO SPARTANS!
