Rockbridge County Avoids Shutout With Two Late TDs
Getting off to a slow start and struggling with injuries, the Rockbridge County High School football team suffered a 49-13 road loss to Shenandoah District rival Waynesboro on Friday night.
On their way to their first win of the season, the Little Giants (1-3 overall, 1-1 district) raced to a 28-0 halftime lead and stayed comfortably ahead the rest of the game. The Wildcats (0-4, 0-2) scored both of their touchdowns in the fourth quarter, on a 19-yard pass from Taylan Tyree to Brenden Staley early in the quarter and then on a 4-yard run by John Clements.
Dating back to the beginning of last season, the Wildcats have lost 14 consecutive games.
Reviewing the game, RC head coach Zack Rhodenizer said, “We played a little light. We were missing some linemen.”
“You’ve got to go to war with the guys you’ve got, whether [you’re shorthanded due to] injury or illness,” added Rhodenizer.
The RC coach praised his less experienced players for stepping up in place of the injured players. He said sophomore Jhordane Campbell “did a good job at linebacker when Cam Whitlock went out.” At strong safety, junior Cole Fine stepped in for the injured Harvey Presnell. “It was good for the younger guys to step up,” the RC coach said. “We hopefully don’t have anybody out for long.”
“We’re young up front,” added Rhodenizer, noting the Wildcats have two sophomores playing tackle, a sophomore center and a sophomore quarterback, Tyree.
Tyree had a solid game, passing for 60 yards and the touchdown, with six completions.
Clements, a senior, led the Wildcats with 106 rushing yards. Campbell rushed for 28 yards and made a big catch out of the backfield, and Junior Corbin ran for 26 yards for the Wildcats. Carson Fridley carried the ball for 17 yards.
Rhodenizer praised Asher Wells for doing “a great job blocking for us.” On defense, Wells made two solo tackles and three tackle assists for five total tackles.
The Wildcats will play host to Shenandoah District rival Stuarts Draft (3-1, 2-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. at Prasnicki-Ross Field at Veterans Stadium in Lexington. Draft is coming off a 21-10 home win over Fort Defiance last Friday and is an early contender for the district title.
Acknowledging the Wildcats have a big c hallenge a head of them this week, Rhodenizer said, “Draft’s a good team. I’ve got a lot of respect for their coaching staff.”
WILDCAT HEAD coach Zack Rhodenizer (black shirt and pants) and assistant coach Adam Doll-Hennis (black pants, white shirt) talk to players during a timeout. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
RC JUNIOR Harvey Presnell runs with the ball while Waynesboro’s Andre Edwards (2) approaches and RC junior Cole Fine (4) watches. Presnell played early in the game before going out with an injury. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
