JAMESTOWN
Opportunity came knocking for Glenn's Bobcats. But unfortunately, they never opened the door.
Glenn more than held its own against powerful Ragsdale. But more than anything, it was the Bobcats' inability to seize the moment which helped the Tigers claim a 23-10 victory last night. The victory gives Ragsdale (10-0, 5-0) at least a share of the Piedmont Triad 4-A regular-season title.
"The final score is very misleading," said Coach Dickie Cline of Glenn. "We had our opportunities. We just didn't cash in."
For most of the game, Glenn's defense held Ragsdale's prolific offense in relative check. Up until the final minute of play, the Tigers had scored 17 points, which is about half their season average of 32.8.
Josh Hawkins sent shockwaves through Miller Stadium in the first quarter when he scored the game's first touchdown on an electrifying 82-yard run on Glenn's second play from scrimmage. Later in that quarter, the Bobcats (8-2, 4-1) were on the verge of scoring again, which would have given them a two-touchdown lead. But on fourth and short, Tajvio Walker tried to connect with one of his receivers near the goal line, but the pass was underthrown and intercepted by Avery Washington.
"They caught us off guard when they scored that on that long run," said Coach Tommie Norwood of Ragsdale, whose team was ranked fifth in this week's Associated Press poll. "But nobody panicked. We have 24 seniors on this team and they've all been there before. We mixed it up offensively and protected our quarterback for the most part. On defense, we bended a little, but we didn't break."
Early in the second quarter, with the game tied at 7, Glenn's Dallas Steelman got behind the secondary and was wide open, but the pass was overthrown and the Bobcats missed another chance to put points on the board.
"We got the situation we wanted, but things didn't work as designed," Cline said. "In games like this, you've got to make those plays when the opportunity presents itself."
Ragsdale's Luke Heavner threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Deshawn Shouse put the Tigers up for good when he took a short pass from Heavner and broke a couple of tackles on a 50-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Glenn isn't completely out of the league-championship picture yet. Much will depend on what transpires next week.
If the Bobcats beat East Forsyth and Ragsdale loses to High Point Central, it will force a three-way tie for the conference lead.
"There's still plenty for us to play for," Cline said. "We're still in a position to get a piece of the conference title and we're also looking to finish well to help our chances of getting a high seed for the playoffs."
Glenn 7 3 0 0 -- 10
Ragsdale 0 14 3 6 -- 23
G -- Hawkins 82 run (Thomlinson kick)
R -- Brown 5 run (Redfern kick)
R -- Shouse 50 pass from Heavner (Redfern kick)
G -- Thomlinson 23 field goal
R -- Redfern 30 field goal
R -- Romer 8 pass from Heavner (kick failed)
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