Draft downs Wildcats

COURT WILLS / News Virginian
Published: November 3, 2007

LEXINGTON- After fumbling for the second time at the end of third quarter, Stuarts Draft almost let the 14-9 lead get away as Rockbridge recovered the ball at the 37-yard line.

After missing their chance at a two-point conversion on the previous score, the Wildcats were back in business. Rockbridge's Max Zitmore tried to push through the Cougars defense but was pushed back twice.

Stuarts Draft quickly shifted gears and kept the Wildcats on the tip of their toes as the Cougars bounced back for a 28-9 win on Friday to guarantee a playoff spot in Region III. This is the first time the Cougars have clinched a playoff spot since 1996.

"I was disappointed with the way we handled the football. This is Game 10 we should be peaking right now," said Stuarts Draft coach Rod Bowers. "I think we are where we want to be defensively, but offensively I don't think we are. We should be hanging onto the football."

When Ryan Morrison's cut to the right was called just short of the first down, Stuarts Draft took over and never looked back.

On 1st-and-10 from the 33-yard line, running back Jordan Taylor drilled the defensive line of Rockbridge as he bolted up the middle for a 15-yard gain.

Isaiah Miller's pounded up the middle for 9 more yards up the middle. On 2nd-and-1, Taylor found the open route to the left, leaving Stuarts Draft only 30 yards out from the end zone.

The Cougars continued to use its versatile running game as Miller pushed all the way through to the 11-yard line.

However, Stuarts Draft would have a tough time scoring inside the red zone. Rockbridge kept a tight leash on the Cougars as Taylor, Miller and Terreal Taylor all tried to get in to score.

On fourth down, Miller found an opening on the left for the touchdown, giving Draft a 20-9 lead.

As the Cougars were about to kick the extra point, Stuarts Draft went for the fake as Miller ran down the right sidelines all the way for the two-point conversion giving the Cougars a 22-9 lead.

"I'm blessed. This team is blessed," Bowers said. "God has gifted these guys to guide the football team. They've bought into our system. They're an unselfish group of kids."

Rockbridge got the ball back but couldn't get into a groove. After throwing an incomplete pass to wide receiver J.J. Queen, quarterback Blake Coffey found Joe Irby for the 5-yard pickup, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get.

Stuarts Draft regained control of the football and only went two yards before fumbling for the third and final time. Again Rockbridge was not able to make anything come of the offensive attack. On 3rd and 5 from the 36, Coffey pitched the ball to Queen who was only able to gain a yard.

The Cougars regained control and this time did not let the endzone get out their sight. With the fake handoff to the left, running back Josh Wheeler found the open hole to the right only to go 35 yards for the fourth touchdown of the night.