Crest Rallies Past Forestview
It has been an up and down year for the Crest Chargers so far this year. After starting the year off 2-0, they fell on hard times in two consecutive losses to Burns and Shelby. Last week, the Chargers rallied from behind to beat Freedom 51-48. This game would have something very similar in store. The Chargers were down 14-7 at halftime. In the second half, the Chargers would score 21 unanswered points to put them on top 35-21. The Jaguars would put another score on the board late to cut the lead to 35-28 with a Jaylen Mims five-yard touchdown run. That would be the final.
The Jaguars would get on the board first with a three-yard run by Jamarion Dawkins (PAT good). The Chargers would answer immediately with a four-yard touchdown run by Jalin Graham (PAT good). A three-yard touchdown pass from Graham Wiggins to Camury Reid put Forestview back on top 14-7 at halftime (PAT good).
The second half became the TJ Ruff show for Crest as he would score on touchdown runs of 4, 80, 18 and 25. His 80 yard run would come right after Forestview scored a big touchdown run of their own. Camury Reid’s 70-yard touchdown run momentarily put Forestview up 21-14. Ruff’s 80-yard touchdown run would begin the Chargers 21-point rally.
Turning Point: The turning point of the game was when the score was tied at 21-21 and the Jaguars were lining up for a Holt Cloninger field-goal. Well, the Chargers blocked the field goal attempt and advanced the ball near midfield. They would go on top a few plays later.
Missed Opportunities: There were quite a few of those in the game. On their first drive of the game, Crest drove right down to the Forestview 13-yard line where they would go for it on 4th down. But the Chargers would not get it. In fact, they lost yardage on that play. The Jaguars forced to two Charger turnovers deep in Crest territory but would come away with no points. After a Crest fumble forced by Jaycob Neely early in the third quarter, the Jaguars were knocking on the door. Graham Wiggins hit a wide open Christian Williams from the 6-yard line, but he would fumble before getting into the end-zone. A Jamarion Dawkins interception in the fourth quarter put Forestview in scoring position inside the Crest 20. But penalties backed them up and they settled for the field-goal attempt that was blocked.
“These guys have an unbelievable football team and I told our kids that it’s going to be a fight for four quarters. We just got to be able to fight that long and our kids did. I’m very proud of them.” said Crest head coach Nick Eddins.
When asked about coming from behind to win two weeks in a row, Eddins said “We’re getting kind of good at that. Our kids are in phenominal shape. Our running program is top notch. I feel like our kids just keep getting stronger as the game goes along. Our defense made a play, stopping them down there (near the goal line). We scored right after that so that was big.”
“That kid is an unbelievable kicker and to block one of his field-goals is a real accomplishment.” Eddins said of the blocked field goal that seemed to turn the game “I think Keyez Jefferies blocked it and Delone ‘Scooter’ Willis picked it up. I thought he was going to score but we scored two or three plays later. So that was a turning point in the game. Special teams always seem to be that way.”
“We had our opportunities and against a good team, you have to take advantage of them.” said Forestview head coach Chris Medlin “They had some momentum there in the second half. That was the difference in the game. It’s game of momentum. To get it back is hard sometimes, especially against good teams.”
TJ Ruff led Crest’s offense with 246 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Jalin Graham amassed 120 yards rushing and a touchdown. Camury Reid led Forestview’s offense with 174 total yards (131 rushing, 43 receiving) and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Graham Wiggins passed for 119 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once.
What’s Next? Crest (4-2)(1-0) will host Stuart Cramer (2-4)(0-1) next week. Stuart Cramer lost 69-16 to Kings Mountain. Forestview (2-3)(0-1) will host Ashbrook (0-4). Ashbrook was off last night.
Photo Creds to Stephanie Felts/Felts Photograhy
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