Narrows squeaks by Fort Chiswell

By L.L. WIMMER/Correspondent

Phillip Arnold of Fort Chiswell played his heart out in the team’s final game of the year. Arnold passed for 168 yards, completed 10 of his 28 passes, threw for a touchdown and ran for another.
But it wasn’t enough as a late touchdown by the Narrows Green Wave and a gutsy call handed the Fort Chiswell Pioneers their ninth loss and a fifth place finish in the Mountain Empire District.
Brett Buracker proved to be the undoing of the Pioneers on a rain soaked field at Narrows. Buracker caught the go-ahead touchdown with 2:11 left on the clock and then picked off a Pioneer pass with just over a minute to play to seal the victory for the Green Wave.
Fort Chiswell took the kickoff at its 42. A pass play and two carries netted six yards as FC punted back to Narrows.
Josh Waldron, Chad McCroskey and Corey Lowe had carries to move from the Wave’s 36 to midfield.
On third and 11, Lowe ran left and cut back right for a 50-yard score. Derrick Reed kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 with 7:56 left on the clock.
The Pioneers answered on their next possession, but it wasn’t easy. The Fort started on its 30. After three plays and a first down, the drive stalled and FC was forced to punt. A roughing the kicker penalty on Narrows gave the Fort new life from midfield.
Five different players, Arnold, Gavin Burnett, Hody Viars, Chris Rodriguez and Storm Bond had carries to the six. Arnold then passed left to Bond for the touchdown. Kyle Mabry kicked the PAT to knot the score at 7-7.
The second quarter was uneventful until late in the period. The Fort took over on downs at its 47 and mounted a sustained drive, picking up several first downs and moving to the Narrows’ seven.
An offsides call on the Wave gave FC a first and goal at the three. The defense stiffened, but on third and goal, the Fort shot itself in the foot once again and it probably cost it the game.
An unsportsmanlike penalty on FC moved the ball back to the 19. The Fort attempted a field goal, and the ball hit the left upright and bounced out as the half ended in a tie at 7-7.
The third period saw both teams turn the ball over. Narrows’ first possession ended on FC’s 18 where the Fort took over on downs.
On the second play, FC fumbled away the ball on its 22. Narrows moved to the Fort’s one where it returned the favor as FC recovered the loose ball.
Fort Chiswell failed to move the ball and punted. Narrows returned it to the Fort’s 23, but two consecutive penalties put the Wave on FC’s 47. Four plays later, as the final quarter began, Bond intercepted a Green Wave pass.
The Fort could do nothing with it and punted back to Narrows.
The Wave’s drive went nowhere and on fourth and one on Narrows’ own 22, the Wave elected to try and pick up the first down. But FC held and took over on downs as the Wave’s 22.
Viars carried it to the 16, and then Arnold ran off right tackle for the Pioneer score. Again Mabry booted the PAT with 6:12 left to put FC in front at 14-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Wave took over on its 38 and moved downfield as Buracker accounted for 57 yards on four pass plays, including a 23-yard touchdown with 2:11 on the lock. Narrows elected to go for the win, throwing to Reed for the two-point conversion and a 15-14 lead.
It looked as if the Pioneers might score again as they quickly moved from their 35 to the Narrows’ 35.
But an unsportsmanlike call backed them up and three plays later Buracker intercepted a Pioneer pass.
Narrows then ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Fort Chiswell 7 00 7 – 14
Narrows 7 0 0 8 – 15

Scoring:
N – Lowe 50 run (Reed kick)
FC – Bond 5 pass from Arnold (Mabry kick)
FC – Arnold 16 run (Mabry kick)
N – Buracker 23 pass from Lowe (Reed pass from Lowe)