Bulldogs flogged by Falcons

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
ABINGDON – What may have been Tazewell’s best performance to date went for naught as the Falcons flew to a 51-6 win.
The Bulldogs capped a 14 play 80 yard drive with a touchdown and closed to within 14-6 at the 5:10 mark of the second quarter. T.J. Rasnick scored the touchdown and the Bulldogs were very much in the ball game.
Abingdon then ripped off 16 straight points including 10 in the final 1:26 of the half to jump to a 30-6 lead. Braden Coleman was the main man for the Falcons scoring five touchdowns on the night.
Adam Henderson and Cory Spencer also scored touchdowns for the Birds. Clark Case nailed six extra points and a 36 yard field goal to complete Abingdon’s scoring.
Tazewell drove inside Abingdon’s 20 in the first quarter before being stopped by an interception. With Rasnick and Andrew Rhudy carrying much of the load, Tazewell had 120 yards rushing in the first half.
Tazewell had 39 yards passing in the fist half with 22 of that coming on a Cody Lockhart to Matt Muncy pass in the first quarter. The Bulldogs revamped their offensive line in practice last week because of injuries.
Jason Beavers became the second member of Tazewell’s line to be lost for the year when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament at Carroll County. Mikey Elkins moved from center to tackle and ninth grader Jordan Baldwin took over the center duties.
Defensively Tazewell got a strong effort from Rhudy, Bruiser Moore, Muncy and Lockhart. Kyle Collier played well despite nursing a bruised shoulder.
Much of the fourth quarter was played under the mercy rule and the clock only stopped for timeouts. Both teams gave their reserves a chance to play in the closing minutes of the game. 
The win upped Abingdon’s record to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the district.
The Falcons battle Honaker next week while Tazewell comes home to face Richlands.