LC Bird traveled to Highland Springs tonight for the first time in the history of the series. The game saw a little bit of everything, from scoring to penalties to defense and turnovers. Ironically enough, the game began with a turnover and ended with a turnover.
The Springers fumbled the kickoff, or should I say they never really had the ball to fumble, it touched a Springer and Isaiah Moore recovered it for the Skyhawks A great way to start the game for the Skyhawks, especially being as the Skyhawks would find the endzone in just three plays when Stephen Mines scored the first of two touchdowns. Highland Springs however had an answer for the Skyhawks and that was a 60-yard scoring drive of their own that saw DJ Anderson carry the ball five times for seventeen yards but none bigger than the one-yard touchdown.
Bird however was not done scoring, not in the first quarter. Mines score the second Skyhawk touchdown of the night when Jalen Elliott hit him with a 45-yard pass. The Skyhawks were back on top 14-7. The Bird defense went to work forcing the Springers to punt the ball for the first time on this night and the Springers returned the favor forcing the Skyhawks to punt themselves and while the Springers were unable to find the endone, they did get more points on the board.
The Springers who had the ball at the Skyhawk 25 got the ball down to the 10 yard line on just three plays, two DJ Anderson runs and a pass to Felton Davis but Juwan Carter took a sack from Isaiah Moore that stalled the Springers momentum on this possession. The Springers could not recover and on 4th & 8 from the 8 the Springers kicked a field goal to make it a 14-10 game in favor of Bird with a little more than seven minutes to go.
Stephen Mines who had a strong game in the first half would fumble the ball on 3rd & 15 after the Skyhawks were unable to overcome two penalties on their next possession. Jayohn Turner came up with the loose ball for the Springers and off that fumble, the Springers would take a 16-14 lead. Greg Dortch was big on this scoring driver of the Springers as he would catch a 24-yard pass from Carter for a first down and then his next reception would be a 13-yard reception for the score.
The Skyhawks were unable to counter the Springers score but on defense, they made plays. The Springers looked to be putting together another drive with Carter hitting Felton Davis with a pass but Davis fumbled the ball and Devin Durham was able to come up with the loose ball. Bird however would not keep it for long. Elliott had two runs for a total of 22 yards but on this same possession, he would be hit with an intentional grounding penalty. That pushed the Skyhawks back facing a 3rd & 20 and on fourth down, Elliott forced it in the endzone and Tre Heath was there to intercept the ball and squash the scoring threat.
The Springers led at home going into halftime 16-14 but Bird would have the ball to open the second half.
Bird appeared to move the ball on their opening possession of the second half but with the ball in Springers territory, Mines appeared to be down when the ball came loose. Earl Anderson of Highland Springs was credited with recovering a fumble but just about everyone sitting in the Bird stands thought he was down and certainly appeared that way from my vantage point but the call stood as a fumble but the Skyhawks would get the ball back when Jalen Elliott would intercept Carter on first down giving the Skyhawks the ball back.
LC Bird who had not scored since midway through the second quarter would find the endzone again, thanks in large part to JB Wright who began pounding the ball. He ran the ball eight straight times having begun on the 47 of the Highland Springs. Wright just kept going and that took him all the way to the endzone and with a Jalen Elliott two-point conversion the Skyahwks had the lead yet again, 22-16.
The Springers and Skyhawks exchanged punts but with the Springers recovering the punt at the 50, the Springers went to work as they looked to counter the Skyhawks. Juwan Carter hit Felton Davis with a huge 42-yard pass but with the Springers seemingly destined for the endzone again, a penalty seemed as though it might bring tht to a halt. The Springers faced 2nd & 21 but Carter scrambled for ten yards and then hit K'Vonn Wallace with a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the lead back to the Springers, now up 23-22 with a little more than ten minutes to go.
Bird answered back, moving the ball 65 yards and nearly a lock to score yet agan but with the ball inside the 5, the Skyhawks fumbled the ball and the Springers recovered. Of course as has been the case earlier, when one turns it over, so does the other and Carter throws an interception on second down and Daijuane Dorsey is the culprit.
Bird has the ball at the 48 and moves it to the 46 where they face a 4th & 8 and Elliott finds Dorsey, the very guy who gave the Skyhawks the ball back and hits him with a 15-yard pass that gives them the first down. Ironically enough, the Skyhawks have to go for it again on fourth down, this time 4th & 3 and Elliott scampers for a 5-yard run that proves huge as the Skyhawks get another first down. With the ball at the 19, a flag pushed the Skyhawks back to the 24 and one pass gains nothing, the second one falls incomplete but then Elliott hands off to Rayshard Ashby who picks up 9 yards to the 15 of Highland Springs. Unable to punch it in, the Skyhawks settle for a 32-yard field from Keaton Riley and he boots it in putting up the Skyhawks 25-23 with a little over than a minute to go.
Highland Springs had the ball at the 38 and with three passes Carter and the Springers had moved the ball 24 yards in a matter of seconds. Would they be able to take a shot at the endzone or get into field goal position to steal the game back from Bird. The answer you're looking for is no. Instead, Carter would be intercepted by Daijuane Dorsey with his second interception of the fourth quarter and the Skyhawks win their 11th straight playoff game. The Skyhawks might be 10-2 but where it counts, they are 11-0. Speaking of 11-0, the Springers made it to 11-0 but their season comes to an end at 11-1.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st QTR-
10:50- (Bird)Stephen Mines 13-yard touchdown, PAT is good; LC Bird 7-0.
5:52- (HSHS)DJ Anderson 1-yard touchdown run, PAT is good; 7-7 all.
2:11- (Bird)Stephen Mines 45-yard touchdown reception, PAT is good; LC Bird 14-7.
2nd QTR-
7:30- (HSHS)Ed Henderson field goal; LC Bird 14-10.
4:49- (HSHS)Greg Dortch 13-yard touchdown reception, PAT blocked; Highland Springs 16-14.
3rd QTR-
5:12- (Bird)JB Wright 5-yard touchdown run, Jalen Elliott 2-point conversion; LC Bird 22-16
4th QTR-
10:44 (HSHS)K'Vonn Wallace 15-yard touchdown reception, PAT is good; Highland Springs 23-22.
1:16 (Bird)Keaton Riley 32-yard field goal; LC Bird 25-23.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
There were a lot of penalties tonight, plenty against LC Bird. Bird is famous for penalties but there was some discussion tonight as to whether Bird committed all the penalties they were called for or was there some home cooking going on tonight?
For a second straight week I saw multiple turnovers in a game and I do believe the frigid temperatures had something to do with some of the fumbles. That said, that one fumble tonight against Mines I still believe he was down but then again, so does about every Bird fan in the stand.
Skyhawks might not be the best team record wise but 11-0 in the playoffs proves they know how to play in big games and they just keep winning and this next game with Hermitage will be huge for both and I expect a sellout crowd.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
LC Bird Offense- Stephen Mines; 153 yards of offense including a rushing touchdown as well as touchdown reception.
LC Bird Defense- Daijuane Dorsey; blocked PAT, 2 fourth quarter interceptions including game winning interception.
H. Springs Offense- Juwan Carter; 12 passes for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
H. Springs Defense- Earl Anderson; 5 tackles, one fumble recovery.
EXTRA POINTS
Highland Springs fails to get to the third round of the playoffs yet again, the last time remains, 1990.
Sixth straight season Bird has won 10 or more games in a season.
Narrowest margin of victory for Bird in playoffs since their 15-13 win over Hermitage in 2004.
The Springers fumbled the kickoff, or should I say they never really had the ball to fumble, it touched a Springer and Isaiah Moore recovered it for the Skyhawks A great way to start the game for the Skyhawks, especially being as the Skyhawks would find the endzone in just three plays when Stephen Mines scored the first of two touchdowns. Highland Springs however had an answer for the Skyhawks and that was a 60-yard scoring drive of their own that saw DJ Anderson carry the ball five times for seventeen yards but none bigger than the one-yard touchdown.
Bird however was not done scoring, not in the first quarter. Mines score the second Skyhawk touchdown of the night when Jalen Elliott hit him with a 45-yard pass. The Skyhawks were back on top 14-7. The Bird defense went to work forcing the Springers to punt the ball for the first time on this night and the Springers returned the favor forcing the Skyhawks to punt themselves and while the Springers were unable to find the endone, they did get more points on the board.
The Springers who had the ball at the Skyhawk 25 got the ball down to the 10 yard line on just three plays, two DJ Anderson runs and a pass to Felton Davis but Juwan Carter took a sack from Isaiah Moore that stalled the Springers momentum on this possession. The Springers could not recover and on 4th & 8 from the 8 the Springers kicked a field goal to make it a 14-10 game in favor of Bird with a little more than seven minutes to go.
Stephen Mines who had a strong game in the first half would fumble the ball on 3rd & 15 after the Skyhawks were unable to overcome two penalties on their next possession. Jayohn Turner came up with the loose ball for the Springers and off that fumble, the Springers would take a 16-14 lead. Greg Dortch was big on this scoring driver of the Springers as he would catch a 24-yard pass from Carter for a first down and then his next reception would be a 13-yard reception for the score.
The Skyhawks were unable to counter the Springers score but on defense, they made plays. The Springers looked to be putting together another drive with Carter hitting Felton Davis with a pass but Davis fumbled the ball and Devin Durham was able to come up with the loose ball. Bird however would not keep it for long. Elliott had two runs for a total of 22 yards but on this same possession, he would be hit with an intentional grounding penalty. That pushed the Skyhawks back facing a 3rd & 20 and on fourth down, Elliott forced it in the endzone and Tre Heath was there to intercept the ball and squash the scoring threat.
The Springers led at home going into halftime 16-14 but Bird would have the ball to open the second half.
Bird appeared to move the ball on their opening possession of the second half but with the ball in Springers territory, Mines appeared to be down when the ball came loose. Earl Anderson of Highland Springs was credited with recovering a fumble but just about everyone sitting in the Bird stands thought he was down and certainly appeared that way from my vantage point but the call stood as a fumble but the Skyhawks would get the ball back when Jalen Elliott would intercept Carter on first down giving the Skyhawks the ball back.
LC Bird who had not scored since midway through the second quarter would find the endzone again, thanks in large part to JB Wright who began pounding the ball. He ran the ball eight straight times having begun on the 47 of the Highland Springs. Wright just kept going and that took him all the way to the endzone and with a Jalen Elliott two-point conversion the Skyahwks had the lead yet again, 22-16.
The Springers and Skyhawks exchanged punts but with the Springers recovering the punt at the 50, the Springers went to work as they looked to counter the Skyhawks. Juwan Carter hit Felton Davis with a huge 42-yard pass but with the Springers seemingly destined for the endzone again, a penalty seemed as though it might bring tht to a halt. The Springers faced 2nd & 21 but Carter scrambled for ten yards and then hit K'Vonn Wallace with a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the lead back to the Springers, now up 23-22 with a little more than ten minutes to go.
Bird answered back, moving the ball 65 yards and nearly a lock to score yet agan but with the ball inside the 5, the Skyhawks fumbled the ball and the Springers recovered. Of course as has been the case earlier, when one turns it over, so does the other and Carter throws an interception on second down and Daijuane Dorsey is the culprit.
Bird has the ball at the 48 and moves it to the 46 where they face a 4th & 8 and Elliott finds Dorsey, the very guy who gave the Skyhawks the ball back and hits him with a 15-yard pass that gives them the first down. Ironically enough, the Skyhawks have to go for it again on fourth down, this time 4th & 3 and Elliott scampers for a 5-yard run that proves huge as the Skyhawks get another first down. With the ball at the 19, a flag pushed the Skyhawks back to the 24 and one pass gains nothing, the second one falls incomplete but then Elliott hands off to Rayshard Ashby who picks up 9 yards to the 15 of Highland Springs. Unable to punch it in, the Skyhawks settle for a 32-yard field from Keaton Riley and he boots it in putting up the Skyhawks 25-23 with a little over than a minute to go.
Highland Springs had the ball at the 38 and with three passes Carter and the Springers had moved the ball 24 yards in a matter of seconds. Would they be able to take a shot at the endzone or get into field goal position to steal the game back from Bird. The answer you're looking for is no. Instead, Carter would be intercepted by Daijuane Dorsey with his second interception of the fourth quarter and the Skyhawks win their 11th straight playoff game. The Skyhawks might be 10-2 but where it counts, they are 11-0. Speaking of 11-0, the Springers made it to 11-0 but their season comes to an end at 11-1.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st QTR-
10:50- (Bird)Stephen Mines 13-yard touchdown, PAT is good; LC Bird 7-0.
5:52- (HSHS)DJ Anderson 1-yard touchdown run, PAT is good; 7-7 all.
2:11- (Bird)Stephen Mines 45-yard touchdown reception, PAT is good; LC Bird 14-7.
2nd QTR-
7:30- (HSHS)Ed Henderson field goal; LC Bird 14-10.
4:49- (HSHS)Greg Dortch 13-yard touchdown reception, PAT blocked; Highland Springs 16-14.
3rd QTR-
5:12- (Bird)JB Wright 5-yard touchdown run, Jalen Elliott 2-point conversion; LC Bird 22-16
4th QTR-
10:44 (HSHS)K'Vonn Wallace 15-yard touchdown reception, PAT is good; Highland Springs 23-22.
1:16 (Bird)Keaton Riley 32-yard field goal; LC Bird 25-23.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
There were a lot of penalties tonight, plenty against LC Bird. Bird is famous for penalties but there was some discussion tonight as to whether Bird committed all the penalties they were called for or was there some home cooking going on tonight?
For a second straight week I saw multiple turnovers in a game and I do believe the frigid temperatures had something to do with some of the fumbles. That said, that one fumble tonight against Mines I still believe he was down but then again, so does about every Bird fan in the stand.
Skyhawks might not be the best team record wise but 11-0 in the playoffs proves they know how to play in big games and they just keep winning and this next game with Hermitage will be huge for both and I expect a sellout crowd.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
LC Bird Offense- Stephen Mines; 153 yards of offense including a rushing touchdown as well as touchdown reception.
LC Bird Defense- Daijuane Dorsey; blocked PAT, 2 fourth quarter interceptions including game winning interception.
H. Springs Offense- Juwan Carter; 12 passes for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
H. Springs Defense- Earl Anderson; 5 tackles, one fumble recovery.
EXTRA POINTS
Highland Springs fails to get to the third round of the playoffs yet again, the last time remains, 1990.
Sixth straight season Bird has won 10 or more games in a season.
Narrowest margin of victory for Bird in playoffs since their 15-13 win over Hermitage in 2004.