Blair Clark INT seals Lebanon's victory over Richlands as Pioneers win third straight (copy)
The Richlands defense goes to tackle Lebanon's Layne Jessee.
Richlands' Lukas Looney adds pressure to Lebanon quarterback Will Jessee Friday night at Ernie Hicks Stadium.
Richlands quarterback Jamie Capshaw hands off to T.J. Lawson Friday against Lebanon.
Lebanon's Will Jessee hands off to Layne Jessee Friday night at Richlands.
Jamie Capshaw hands off to TJ Lawson.
Ethan Cordle of Richlands battles Gary Gragg of Lebanon for the football.
RICHLANDS, Va. – Lebanon’s Blair Clark intercepted a pass by Richlands quarterback Jamie Capshaw in the end zone to halt a Blue Tornado drive late in the fourth quarter and preserve a 26-19 Southwest District football victory for the Pioneers on Friday night at Ernie Hicks Stadium.
Clark returned the ball to the Lebanon 42-yard line and the Pioneers (3-2) used the running of Layne Jessee to eat the clock and prevail in what was their third straight win.
“That was on me. I called a play we hadn’t practiced, but it was there and we just underthrew it,” said Richlands coach Bubba Edwards. “That is on me. I would really like to have that call back.”
The Blue Tornado defense – with six freshmen – stood tall midway through the fourth quarter to get the ball back and give the offense a chance. Trayton Kiser intercepted a pass at the seven and the Blue Tornado fans were on their feet.
The Tornado offense mounted a drive from its 10 to the Pioneer 22 before Clark came through with the play of the game.
“They did a really good job of attacking us on defense,” said Lebanon coach Hunter Norris. “They threw a lot of good balls, that guy [Capshaw] can really sling it.”
The Pioneers (3-2) converted a 4th-and-1 with under three minutes left in the game on a run by quarterback Will Jessee, forcing Richlands to burn its last timeout as time soon expired.
Richlands (0-5) came into the game having scored just six points in its first four games. The Tornado defense had given up 158 points, but both the offensive and defensive units fought the Pioneers tooth and nail on Friday.
“Late in the game you saw a sign of our lack of experience,” Norris said. “In the end it was good to see us get a couple of big runs and put the nail in the coffin.”
The Pioneers overcame a dozen penalties that added up to 115 yards to win.
Will Jessee threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter as Lebanon grabbed an early lead as he hooked up with Braelin Hess and Easton Taylor for the scoring strikes.
Capshaw connected with Kiser for the first touchdown for the Blue Tornado since the first quarter of a season-opening loss to Virginia High.
Lebanon’s Blair Clark took a screen pass from Will Jessee and raced to the end zone as Pioneers countered seconds later.
Capshaw responded again with a 24-yard touchdown toss to Jake Absher as the Tornado stayed close, trailing just 18-13 at halftime.
Lebanon was a heavy favorite coming into the game, but Norris said he knew it would not be easy.
“We knew they wouldn’t lay down,” Norris said. “They are a good team, and they have a tough schedule.”
The Richlands defense stopped Layne Jessee just short of the goal line on the last play of the first half.
The Blue Tornado played the Pioneers on even terms in the second half as Capshaw threw a scoring pass to Ethan Cordle to counter one Will Jessee threw to Taylor for Lebanon.
Capshaw finished with 187 passing yards, while Kiser had three catches for 86 yards in the loss.
“We looked better. I tried to preach all week we are going to win games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,” Edwards said. “If we start taking advantage of our weeks and days of practice, we are going to get better. We are getting better. I know this community is not real happy with us, especially with myself and they shouldn’t be. It is unacceptable for the standard of Richlands but dadgum it we are working hard and we will get there.”
Both coaches said their teams made youthful mistakes, but they were pleased with the effort.
“The kids played hard and that is all you can ask for,” Edwards said. “I am proud of them.”
Will Jessee was 14-of-24 for 297 yards with four touchdowns, Layne Jessee rushed for 126 yards and six different players caught passes.
Braelin Hess (three catches, 80 yards), Blair Clark (three catches, 76 yards), Easton Taylor (three catches, 48 yards) and Layne Jessee (two catches, 62 yards) were the top targets.
“It wasn’t a pretty win,” Norris said. “But it is a win and we will take it.”
Lebanon 6 12 8 0—26
Richlands 0 13 6 0—19
Scoring Summary
L – Hess 24 pass from W. Jessee (kick blocked)
L – Taylor 17 pass from W. Jessee (run failed)
R – Kiser 75 pass from Capshaw (Onate kick)
L – Clark 58 pass from W. Jessee (pass failed)
R – Absher 24 pass from Capshaw (kick failed)
L – Taylor 23 pass from W. Jessee (Hart pass from W. Jessee)
R – Cordle 26 pass from Capshaw (pass failed)
Team Stats
First Downs: L 18, R 10; Rushes-Yards: L 35-136, R 17-57; Passing Yards: L 297, R 187; Comp.-Att.-Int.: L 14-24-0, R 9-21-1; Fumbles-Lost: L 2-1, R 1-0; Penalties-Yards: L 12-115, R 7-45; Punts-Average: L 3-24.7, R 4-24.
