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Colonels down Cavs, set up showdown with Generals
By MARK THOMAS/Altavista Journal Editor
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 5:16 PM EDT
This time, the Colonels scored just before the half.
After seeing their last two opponents, Randolph-Henry and Nelson, put points on the scoreboard at the end of the second quarter, the Colonels did it Friday night against Dogwood District rival Chatham.
Daelyn Myers scored from 2 yards with 20 seconds before halftime to give Altavista a 19-0 lead over the Cavaliers on their way to a 32-15 win.
"That was a big play," Altavista Coach Mike Scharnus said.
The win upped Altavista's record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Dogwood, setting up a Campbell County and district showdown with always-powerful William Campbell Friday night. Chatham fell to 1-5 and 0-2.
"I think we played much better as far as execution," said Chatham Coach Malon Dalton. He said his team moved the ball.
"We shot ourselves in the foot." Dalton pointed to a penalty that forced a Cavalier punt on one drive and a fumble Altavista recovered deep in scoring territory. That eventually led to an Altavista touchdown.
Playing in Tightsqueeze, Altavista grabbed a touchdown lead when running back Jamison Robinson scored from 5 yards out midway through the first quarter. Blake Todd's extra point made it 7-0.
Keyed by Cam Mclellan's runs, the Cavaliers appeared ready to tie the game, steadily moving from their 25 to near the Altavista goal line. Mclellan led the Cavaliers with 73 rushing yards for the game.
However, Altavista's Jawaad Douglas recovered a Chatham fumble at the 7. Thirteen plays later, quarterback Johnny Wimbish scored to make it 13-0.
Chatham blocked the extra point. The Cavaliers had two for the game.
While Altavista scored its second touchdown, it lost Robinson for the rest of the game with an Achilles injury. He spent the rest of the game cheering his teammates from the sideline.
Hunter Shelhorse took Robinson's place, and when Jamel Callands went down with an ankle injury, Jeff Taylor filled in on the offensive line.
Scharnus said the line, despite moving people around, did a fantastic job. He said his backs ran hard.
For the night, the Colonels had 326 yards on the ground, the second week in a row Altavista has gone over 300 rushing yards. The Colonels had almost 400 against Nelson.
Shelhorse led the rushing attack with 115 yards. Myers had 66, while Robinson added 55 and Chris Clark had 53. Wimbish had 26.
"We never stopped them all night," Dalton said. "We just don't have a killer instinct."
On Myers' touchdown just before the half, the Colonels also showed a passing game. Wimbish connected with Douglas once and twice with Jerrell Witcher on the drive.
"We've been working on it. We're trying to get better," Scharnus said about the passing.
For the night, Wimbish had 66 yards, hitting five of his seven throws.
Altavista made it 26-0 on its first drive in the third quarter. Clark ran 22 yards up the middle for the touchdown. It was a drive set up by a good kickoff return kickoff by Shelhorse.
Chatham's Ruanta Price scored at the end of the third quarter and Kenny Grecco kicked the extra point, cutting Altavista's lead to 26-7 heading to the fourth. Price had 36 yards on the ground.
Dalton said he was pleased with play on special teams, including Grecco's kicks.
The Cavaliers narrowed the lead to 26-15 when quarterback Buzz Keel hit receiver Chris Harbin on a 6-yard slant pass for at touchdown with about six minutes left in the game.
Keel, who threw for 58 yards and had 13 tackles on defense, scored the two-point conversion. Harbin had five catches for the game.
Scharnus said Chatham moved the ball, but overall his defense had a solid game The Colonels forced three Chatham punts and recovered two fumbles.
Altavista ended any hopes Chatham had of coming back when Wimbish scored with 3:31 left. That made it 32-15.
For the Colonels, the William Campbell Generals come to Altavista Friday for a 7 p.m. game. William Campbell is 5-1 and 2-0 in the district.
Scharnus said William Campbell is one of the better Group A programs in the state.
"We've done everything we can do to get ready for them. We've just got to believe in our team and our efforts. We've got to let everything go and go after them Friday," Scharnus said.
Chatham will also face one of the best Group A programs Friday night. The Cavaliers travel to Gretna to play the 5-0 Hawks, the defending state champions.
Junior varsity football
Playing Thursday night, Altavista's JV Colonels defeated Chatham 18-6.
Delvin Woodruff passed for one touchdown and scored one on the ground. Daquan Duncan scored Altavista's other touchdown.
Altavista is 4-2 on the season and travels to William Campbell Thursday.
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