Watertown’s wide receiver, Skylor Scales, had a phenomenal night. His play making dashed the hopes of the visiting Gordonsville Tigers in continuing their winning streak against the purple tigers. Scales, a senior wide-out, had 4 touchdown receptions from junior quarterback Seth Price, who accounted for all of Watertown’s 28 points. Gordonsville was led by a rushing attack; Sheldon Harris, Jesse Meadows, Jay Vaden, and Braxton Givens (along with quarterback Damian Davis) kept the game close by pounding out nearly 170 yards on a total of 42 carries.
After trailing 21-0 at halftime, Gordonsville got on the board in the 3rd quarter. Their 1st, second half possession ended with a play straight out the pages of the Turney Ford/Brownie Robinson playbook. Damian Davis took the snap; handed off to Jay Vaden, who was sweeping the right side; Vaden then handed off to Jesse Meadows, reversing back to the left; Meadows then tossed the ball back to Davis, while in the clutches of a Watertown defender and falling backwards, threw to a wide open Dylan Askew for a 16 yard TD. This would have brought a smile to the two legendary coaches. The extra point attempt by Gordonsville place kicker Jacob Lancaster was deflected at the line of scrimmage. At the 9:32 mark in the 3rd quarter, what seemed to be a potential blowout, got a little bit closer. Gordonsville’s defense, which stiffened up in the second half, stopped Watertown on their next possession. However, Gordonsville could not capitalize on an 8 play drive that stalled at Watertown’s 42 yard line. A 30 yard punt by Koby Watts pinned the purple Tigers on their own 12, but a 7 play drive resulted in Scales’ fourth TD at the start of the fourth quarter. This sealed the deal and thwarted any comeback attempt by Gordonsville.
A seven yard run by Damian Davis with 5:19 left in the fourth quarter made the final score 28-12, and give them a lot of momentum heading into the rest of the season.
Coach Marshall commented on that type of effort and applauded his young team on “… not giving up and fighting hard throughout the whole game.” Marshall thought that his team has been getting better, but there is still room for improvement. Other evidence of his team’s resilient effort was holding Watertown’s bruising running back, Luke Turner, to under 80 yards on 14 carries. Watertown’s head coach, Gavin Webster, also praised the effort and fight the Gordonsville Tigers put forward. Webster, a graduate of Gordonsville High School, was quick to berate his own team for the number of penalties that they incurred. With over 130 yards in penalties, he was quick to mention, “… that would be taken care of before the next game.”
One redeeming point of the game both coaches would be proud of: Neither team committed any turnovers
One item that the Gordonsville coaches and fans can not complain about was the excellent field position the Tigers received – especially in the first half. With four of their five first half possessions starting at their own 46 and 43 yard line; and two possessions at Watertown’s 25 and 30 yard line; it’s unfathomable that they couldn’t put any points on the board.
Before the final non-region game against cross-county rival, the Smith County Owls, the importance of capitalizing on any and all opportunities must be stressed. After this week’s game against the Owls, the Tigers remaining schedule consists of all region games.
