Photos by Leigh Downey
The James River Knights evened their football record at 1-1 last Friday night with a win over Randolph-Henry. River took a 20-12 win over the Statesmen in Charlotte Court House.
“I didn’t get home until 3:15 but it was nice to pick up a win,” said River coach Tim Jennings. “We played much better than we did the first week.”
The Statesmen scored first on a 39-yard run but missed the extra point. The Knights then answered on their first possession as Pierce Woodyard found Josiah Merchant for a 32-yard TD pass but the conversion attempt was blocked and the score was tied at 6-6.
Randolph-Henry regained the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass, but missed the conversion again. River then took the lead when Woodyard found Ryder Ward for a 19-yard TD pass late in the half. Konner Myers kicked her first career extra point and River led 13-12 at intermission.
The Knights’ defense dug in after halftime and kept the Statesmen off the board for the rest of the way. River gave up just 170 total yards rushing after allowing 414 to Buffalo Gap on opening night.
“Both of their scores were on big plays,” said Jennings. “Other than that, they didn’t have a gain over 10 yards and the 30-yard TD was the only pass they completed, a swing pass in the backfield that we did not fit well, and missed several tackles.”
The Knights got some breathing room in the fourth quarter when Ryan Daniels lit up the quarterback and his errant pass was pulled down by Ryder Ward, who took the ball 30 yards to the house for a “pick six.” After holding the Statesmen on the next possession the Knights were able to run some clock and finish the job.
River finished with 317 yards of offense on the night, evenly split with 152 rushing and 165 passing. Woodyard was 14 for 24 passing with two touchdown passes and he also had 40 yards rushing. Sam Wilson led the rushers with 47 yards on 13 attempts.
Merchant led the receivers with six catches for 68 yards. Ryder and Cam Saunders had three catches each and Mitchell Snare had two.
On defense Ryder and Saunders both had interceptions. River also had a fumble recovery.
This Friday the Knights will be on the road for the third straight week to open the season. River will head to Buena Vista to take on Parry McCluer, coach Jennings’ alma mater. Like River, the Blues have started the season at 1-1. They opened with a 33-16 win over Rockbridge County and last week they lost to Prince Edward County in a shootout, 46-38.
“They’re the same as they’ve been for years, they like to run the ball,” said Jennings. “They have a good quarterback.”
These two teams have played 54 times since 1970 with the Blues winning 34, River winning 19 and one game ending in a tie. At one time Parry McCluer held a 29-1-1 edge in the series but, starting in 2001, River has won 18 of the past 23 games, including the last three. The Knights won in Springwood last year, 41-15.
