The Rockbridge County High School football team (0-2) failed to recover after last week’s 36-14 loss to local rival Parry McCluer. The Wildcats suffered a 43-0 loss to a non-district opponent, Turner Ashby, on Friday.
After receiving the opening kickoff versus the Knights (2-0), the Wildcats fumbled on their first possession of the game deep in their own territory. On the first play after the turnover, the Knights cashed in on a nine-yard touchdown run by running back Ethan Farrish.
Rockbridge failed to move the ball on its next possession. Turner Ashby marched down the field and Farrish was able to put another touchdown on the board, from a short yardage gain, putting TA up 14-0 two minutes into the game.
Halfway through the first quarter, Farrish scored his third touchdown of the game after a 40-yard outside carry got him into open field for a home run score.
Farrish scored his fourth touchdown after making an interception late in the first quarter, returning it to the Rockbridge two, and then scoring from there.
Trailing 28-0, the Wildcats endured another quick score with a touchdown by Turner Ashby’s Cooper Smith. A safety on the following possession increased the Knights’ lead to 36-0.
Scoring his fifth and final touchdown of the night, Farrish thrashed through the Wildcat defense for a 42 yard run that put the Knights up 43-0.
With a monumental early lead, Turner Ashby opted to rest many of its starters and play their reserves for the rest of the contest. Rockbridge was able to stave off any more scores against them in the second half.
Looking to bounce back against a Shenandoah District contest against Staunton High School (2-0), the Wildcats will host the Storm on Friday, September 11, in Lexington with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
AT LEFT, TAKING A HANDOFF from quarterback Taylan Tyree, Rockbridge County’s Carson Fridley tries to find positive yardage against Turner Ashby last Friday night in Bridgewater. The Wildcats found the going tough offensively against the Knights and dropped a 43-0 decision. ABOVE, ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY’S Harvey Presnell brings down a Turner Ashby ball carrier as teammate Asher Wells closes in to stop a 2-point conversion try last Friday night in Bridgewater. The Wildcats fell to 0-2 with a 43-0 setback to the Knights. BELOW, COMING UP WITH A BIG defensive stop, Carson Fridley returns an interception for Rockbridge County against Turner Ashby last Friday night in Bridgewater. The Knights handed the Wildcats their second loss of the season with a 43-0 win. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
