Floyd tops Pioneers

By L.L. WIMMER/Correspondent

The Fort Chiswell Pioneer football team continued non-district play Friday night as it traveled to Floyd County.
After losing to George Wythe in overtime last Saturday night, the Buffaloes bought their “A” game to the table against the Pioneers. After a close nine minutes of football, Floyd County Head Coach Winfred Beale’s Buffs went on a stampede and defeated the Fort 51-14.
With the win, the Buffaloes upped their record to 3-1 while the Pioneers fell to 0-4.
Fort Chiswell took the opening kick off, and behind the running of Phillip Arnold and Chris Rodriguez moved to the Buff 44. Brett Holman then picked off a Pioneer pass and turned to the FC 31. Four plays later, Kent Moles skirted around the left-end for 13 yards and the touchdown. Nathan Weiss added the PAT as Floyd led 7-0.
The Buffs then tried an on-sides kick, but the Pioneers were alert as the ball was returned to the Floyd County 3. Three plays later, Phillip Arnold hit the middle of the line for pay dirt. Kyle Mabry was true on the PAT as the game was tied 7-7 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Moles took the kick, broke several tackles and motored 85 yards to cross the paint. Weiss added the kick as Floyd led 14-7.
Moments later, Ethan Griffith picked off a Pioneer pass and scampered 42 yards for another Buffalo touchdown. Weiss added the point after as Floyd led 21-7 with 2:20 left in the first quarter.
The second period saw the Buffs add to their lead as they forced the Pioneers to punt.
A six play drive covered 49 yards as Luke Bolt scored from a yard out. Once again, Weiss booted the PAT upping the Buff lead to 28-7.
With 3:51 left in the half, Floyd struck again as Harris connected to Moles on a pass and catch that covered 36 yards. With the PAT the Buffs were up 35-7.
The Fort then went to work on offense and put together a 65 yard drive that culminated into their second score of the evening. Key plays by Arnold and Mat Gleason kept the drive alive, and with 18 seconds left in the half, Arnold connected with Daniel Grubb for the score. Mabry added the PAT as Floyd led 35-14 at intermission.
Midway through the third the Buffs used a nine play drive to pad their lead as Harris and Moles made key plays. Harris did the honors for Floyd as he scored on a keeper from a yard out. Andrew Hamm then came up with a nice play for FC as he blocked the Buff PAT attempt as Floyd led 41-14.
With 5:36 left in the third, Floyd scored again as Chandler Jones capped a nine play drive with a one yard run. Jared Schiermeister added the kick for Floyd, expanding the lead to 48-14 after three quarters.
The final period saw the Buffs score the final points of the night as Schiermeister split the uprights from 27 yards out for a three pointer raising the Buff lead to 51-14.
The Pioneers will host county rival George Wythe Friday night in their last non-district contest before opening Mountain Empire District play.

Fort Chiswell 7 7 0 0—14
Floyd County 21 14 13 3—51