Bears maul Pioneers

By L.L. WIMMER/Correspondent

If the Fort Chiswell Pioneers didn’t know who Korey Kennedy was, they do now. He chalked up 209 yards rushing this past Friday night as the Bland County Bears handed Fort Chiswell its eighth loss of the season, 48-21 at the Fort.
The Pioneers shot themselves in the foot, arm and then the other foot as they turned the ball over seven times, spotting Bland three touchdowns before getting their offense to click.
Fort Chiswell could possibly set a new school record next week at Narrows. If the Green Wave wins against Fort Chiswell, it would be the worst Pioneer season on record so the Fort has a lot to play for in their final season game.
Fort Chiswell took the opening kickoff on its 16 and had a good return but fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Bland on the Fort’s 42-yard line. Six plays later from the one, Josh Pennington scored for Bland and Dakota Crouse booted the point after. Three and one-half minutes into the game, the Bears led 7-0.
Fort Chiswell’s next possession began on its 17. Two plays later, a deflected Pioneer pass was picked off by Kyle Kennedy and Bland was back in business at the Fort’s 30.
Five plays and a pass interference call on Fort Chiswell, put Bland on the two-yard line. Bears quarterback Josh Shrader kept around the left end for the second Bland score and the PAT by Crouse was good. With 5:33 remaining in the first quarter, Bland now led 14-0.
The third Bland County score came just 52 seconds later. On first and 10 on the Fort’s 15, Fort Chiswell fumbled away the pigskin. Andrew Jarvis recovered for the visitors at the Pioneer 20. On the second play at the 4:41 mark, Cory Andrews went up the gut for a 20-0 Bland lead. The PAT was wide left.
On the ensuing kickoff FC put together an impressive drive. Almost at will, the Fort moved down the field. Three carries by quarterback Phillip Arnold and carries by Hody Viars and Storm Bond along with a 25 yard reception by Andrew Hamm and a 31 yard pass to Bradley Robinson, put FC on the Bears one yard line. Arnold covered the distance and Kyle Mabry kicked the PAT. The Pioneers were on the board, but Bland held a 20-7 advantage to start the second period.
Dylan Kidd took the FC kick at the 15 and returned to their 40. Behind the running of Korey Kennedy and Shrader, the Bears moved to the Fort’s 36. The Pioneer defense stiffened and forced a Nick Leighton punt.
From the Forts 12, Arnold, on the first play from scrimmage, aired it out to Chris Rodriquez who outran the defenders for an 88 yard Pioneer score. The PAT was good as FC closed to within six points, 20-14, with 7:20 remaining in the half.
Bland answered quickly. In just two plays, the Bears moved from their 35 to the FC 6-yard line. Korey Kennedy carried around the right end for the score. Bland elected to try for two as Shrader hit Kris Kennedy and a 28-14 Bears lead.
On the Fort’s next possession Hody Viars had an excellent return from his 25 to the 48. On the first play from scrimmage, Korey Kennedy picked off the Pioneer pass and returned to the Fort’s 49. First and ten, no gain but on the second down, Kris Kennedy again went around the right end for the BC score. Crouse’s PAT was true and at the 5:17 mark, Bland led 35-14.
The Pioneers on their next possession once again had a pass batted in the air and caught by Jacob Lambert for Bland. This time, however, BC was unable to convert and punted back to FC at their 12. Five straight first downs by the Pioneers, two runs from Arnold and pass receptions by Hamm, Robinson and Michael Dunford put FC on the BC four. After a Pioneer time out, Rodriquez scored on an end around. Mabry added PAT and as the half ended, Bland still held a 35-21 advantage.
It took the bears eight plays to start the second half and added to their score. Shrader and Korey Kennedy chewed up the yardage with Kennedy doing the honors from 15 yards out. The Crouse PAT was good as Bland extended its lead to 42-21 at the 8:21 mark.
Once again, the Fort was forced to move the ball but the demon struck once again. With FC on the BC 14, Kyle Kennedy erased an eight-play, 41 yard drive as he picked off the Pioneer pass.
It took 11 plays as BC moved to the Fort’s 25. The visitors made good on the turnover. As the final period began, Jacob Lambert went off left tackle for the six points. The PAT was wide but the Bears now led 48-21.
The Fort threatened in the fourth, but turned the ball over on downs. Bland did not threaten again in the final quarter but Dylan Kidd picked off another Pioneer pass and BC ran out the clock.

Bland 20 15 7 6—48
Fort Chiswell 7 14 0 0—21