L. C. Bird defeated the Cosby Titans in a grinding, physical contest on Friday night, 21-14. It was an uphill battle for the Skyhawks, who gave up a whopping 140 yards to penalties – including five personal fouls.
“Obviously, it’s something that needs to be addressed,” said L. C. Bird coach Dave Bedwell. “We can’t afford to do that every game. But a win’s a win, and we’re still in it, and that’s what’s important.”
The game’s first quarter was a mostly defensive affair, each drive consisting of small, ground-out gains – three yards here, three yards there – and ending in a punt. L.C. Bird’s Andrew Faison and Cosby’s Blake Hutchinson had to be helped off the field during the quarter, but later returned, having only been winded.
The second half was an entirely different story. The first points of the game came on the back of its first big play, with Skyhawk Brian Williams intercepting a pass from Titans quarterback RJ Lay and running the length of the field to the Titans 10 yard line. Two plays later, Skyhawk back Lionel Williams rushed into the endzone, and the score was 7-0.
“We had a tough game tonight,” said Lay. “We had a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t convert them. I wish we could play it all over again.”
Cosby (4-1) answered immediately with another big play on the kickoff, as Titan Bryce Dillon ran the ball back to the 33 yard line in Skyhawk territory. The kickoff was set back 20 yards by a combination of L. C. Bird (5-0) penalties; the ensuing drive was kept alive by another big personal foul.
Lay found the endzone with a 7 yard QB sneak, tying the game at 7.
The highlight reel continued on the Skyhawks’ next possession, with a booming 65-yard touchdown pass to L. C. Bird receiver Brandon Williams. The Skyhawks failed a two point conversion, and the score was 13-7.
Cosby’s final points of the game came at the close of the second quarter, with the help of a 40-yard pass to Dillon, and ending with another run by Lay. The Titans settled for the extra point, and took the lead, 14-13.
The third quarter was reminiscent of the first, and the score remained one point in favor of Cosby until the first play of the fourth.
Skyhawk Donte Meekins returned a punt for what turned out to be the winning touchdown only three seconds into the fourth quarter. This time, L. C. Bird successfully completed the two-point conversion, and the score was 21-14.
Cosby attempted a rallying drive, but it came to an end when Lay was once again intercepted by Skyhawk Anthony Harris. Intent on keeping ball control, L. C. Bird converted a fourth down on its own 16 yard line, with only a one-score lead and 5:03 left in the game.
The gamble turned out to be a good one, as Cosby finally regained the ball with less than two minutes in the game. It wasn’t enough as the game ended with a seven point margin and the Skyhawks ended Cosby's unbeaten season. Bird, meanwhile, remains perfect.
“If you want to win, you have to take risks,” said Skyhawk quarterback Anthony Harris, referring to his team’s early two-point conversion attempt and the late fourth down conversion. “This time, it paid off.”
Next week, Cosby will be facing George Wythe High School at home, while L. C. Bird will be headed to James River High School.
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