Radford defeats Rural Retreat 41-7

By SUSAN WHALEN/Correspondent

The Rural Retreat Indians dropped a hard fought contest to the Radford Bobcats Friday night in Radford by the score of 41-7.
The score does not reflect all the effort the Indians put forth. The team worked hard on both sides of the ball. Several Rural Retreat players have positions on offense and defense, making for a long game. Terry Fields had two punt returns for at least 20 yards. The defense played hard the entire game.
The game began with RR taking the kick. Jake Whalen called his own number gaining over 20 yards before the ball popped out of his hands. Radford recovered but was forced to punt.
Whalen gained another few yards before his screen pass to Tyler Hash was picked off and taken to the end zone. The PAT was good,  giving Radford a 7 point lead with 8:37 left in the first quarter.
RR failed to gain the required 10, and punted. Three plays later Patrick Webb added a few spin moves around RRʼs defense on his way for another 6 for the Bobcats. The PAT upped lead to 14.
Rural Retreat started its next drive at Radford’s 25. Hash and Adam Evans rushed to the Bobcat’s 15 before turning the ball over on downs.
Radford’s possession was short lived with Eric Reasor picking off a pass on the first play. A dead ball foul landed the Indians at the Bobcat’s 19. Whalen, Hash and Evans moved the ball on down the field with Evans scoring the TD. The PAT was good, giving the Indians seven points early in the second quarter.
Tyler Hilton stopped Thompson giving up only three yards. The second play found William Saunders picking several good blocks on his was to score for Radford. RR’s defense stopped the two point conversion attempt as Radford led 20-7.
The Indians got as far as the Radford 15 before turning the ball over on downs with under a minute left in the half. Blake Holman stopped Thompson, after a pass reception at the 45.A couple incomplete pass later and time ran out for the Cats.
Jeremy Stepp opened the third kicking for Rural Retreat. The short kick was mishandled, resulting in RR recovering the ball. With 10 minutes left RR turned the ball back to the Bobcats at RR’s 47. This drive resulted in another 7 points for Radford.
RR punted on the next series. The punt was fumbled with RR coming up with the ball. Saunders snatched a Whalen pass and headed for the goal line when Whalen took him down at RR’s 13.
Hash kept Saunders to a 5 yard gain on the next snap. Two plays later Carter took it in for Radford.  The PAT raised the score to 34-7.
Hash and Travis Anderson churned some positive yards for RR before RR punted the ball away. Michael Smith and Holman had some nice tackles, but the Bobcats would not be denied another 7.
Their series brought the fourth quarter clock down to 5:51. Zayne Williams took over QB duties for RR on the series. RR was again forced to punt. The Bobcats also substituted several players.
After a nine yard gain, the ball popped out and was recovered by RR at midfield. Williams had two incomplete passes before Holman got a few yards on the ground. Time ran out as Williams connected with Josh Hall for 28 yards.