Quarterback Jackson Smith gives a fierce stiff-arm and picks up 13 yards on a keeper for the ‘Dawgs. (Post Photos by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CORNERSVILLE — Rivalry games are often a wildcard, especially when there’s region implications at stake.
Although the Cornersville Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1) gave a spirited effort in the first half, Richland’s defensive front, coupled with a handful of mistakes allowed the Raiders to pull away with a dominant second half for the 44-7 win in the Battle of Buford Station on Friday night.
Things took a drastic turn on the game’s opening kickoff when Richland’s Nash Petty went 91 yards to paydirt to put the Raiders up 7-0, following Matthew Coker’s successful point after.
Cornersville responded in turn with a drive that pressed well into Richland territory.
Brandon Hargrave barrels his way through the Raider defensive front for a 17-yard pickup. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
On a key fourth down, quarterback Jackson Smith kept the chains moving on a key 1-yard keeper.
Aided by Richland penalties later in the possession, the ‘Dawgs continued using a steady mix of runs to press to the Raider 32-yard line.
But that’s where the drive stalled.
A false start backed Cornersville up to the 37, prompting a punt.
Although the ‘Dawgs pinned the Raiders back on their own 10-yard line, Richland was able to methodically move into plus-territory and Petty caught a crease and appeared to be heading to the end zone for the second time in the opening quarter, but fumbled the ball inside the 10.
With the ball on the turf, it was the lucky bounce to Aylin Kennedy, who completed the run nine yards for the 14-0 Richland lead.
The Raiders further padded their lead in the second quarter when Blane Woodard was able to hit Jake Sands on a 6-yard pass to the end zone for the 21-0 lead.
Although the ‘Dawgs trailed 21-0, Smith was able to connect with Cam Fitzpatrick and Brandon Hargrave on completions of 10 and 14 yards to once again press deep into Richland territory on the next Cornersville possession.
This time, there would be no stall as Hunter Uland caught a block and powered his way through the Richland defense on a 31-yard touchdown run and following Joseth Palma’s kick after, Cornersville trailed just 21-7 with 3:05 left in the half.
Things further tipped the Bulldogs’ way after senior Austin Cooper picked off Woodard on the 34-yard line to once again set the hosts up with prime field position before the half.
Following the Raider turnover, a steady mix of runs by Smith and Uland set the Bulldogs up on third down from the Richland 15 with less than a minute left in the half.
While Cornersville opted to keep with the ground attack, it was Richland that forced a
Cameron Fitzpatrick makes a stellar sideline catch for a 19-yard gain. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
turnover on a stripped ball and fumble recovery with 30 seconds left in the half.
With seven seconds left in the half, Woodard went to the air and dropped a 51-yard bomb to Kennedy to press inside the 20-yard line, but Hargrave made sure there would be no last-second touchdown with a blast through the line of scrimmage that resulted in 14-yard loss on a solo sack.
While the first half was nothing short of a tipsy-turvy rivalry showcase fans would expect, things spiraled in favor of the Raiders rather quickly in the second half.
Although Cornersville took possession to open the third, it was Richland’s defensive pressure that backed Cornersville up and after a bad snap on fourth down, the Raiders took over on the Bulldog 11-yard line.
Three plays later, Jake Sands powered into the end zone on a 1-yard burst up the middle on a direct snap.
Richland added nine more points in the quarter on a 20-yard run by Petty and a safety to push the Raider lead out to 37-7.
Richland put a cap on the night with one more touchdown coming on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Woodard to Sands with 9:36 left in the game.
While the loss to arch-rival Richland certainly stings, the heart of the Region 5-A schedule is still ahead of Cornersville, halfway through the 2024 season.
But the road doesn’t get any easier.
The ‘Dawgs will begin a stretch of three-straight road games, beginning Friday at Moore County.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m in Lynchburg.
Richland 14 7 16 7 — 44
Cornersville 0 7 0 0 — 7
First Quarter
R — Nash Petty 91 kickoff return, (Matthew Coker kick), 11:49.
R — Aylin Kennedy 9 fumble recovery, (Coker kick), 4:09.
Second Quarter
R — Andrew Huff 6 pass from Blane Woodard, (Coker kick), 7:18.
C — Hunter Uland 31 run, (Joseth Palma kick), 3:05.
Third Quarter
R — Jake Sands 1 run, (Coker kick), 7:56.
R — Petty 20 run, (Coker kick), 4:06.
R — Safety.
Fourth Quarter
R — Sands 36 pass from Woodard, (Coker kick), 9:28.
