Bristol Herald Courier | Jim Talbert | Photo Credit: Emily Ball
HONAKER, Va. – Jeremiah Rose’s steal late in the second quarter keyed Honaker's 69-36 win over Rural Retreat on Friday night in a high-scoring Hogoheegee District football game that resembled basketball on grass.
With the score tied at 27 and a little more than two minutes left in the first half, Rural Retreat had the ball facing 2nd-and-Goal at the Tiger 1-yard line.
Quarterback Brody Allen of the Indians was stopped short on a sneak and tried to reach the ball up and over the goal line, but Rose – who stands 6-foot-5 – took it out of his hand.
“That was huge for us to make a play going into the half,” said Honaker coach Aaron Lowe. “Jeremiah has a big wingspan and he just took it away from him.”
The offense of the Tigers took the ball downfield quickly with quarterback Parker Lowe – back from a collarbone injury that has sidelined him most of the season – connecting with Kameron Keen for a 71-yard gain.
Cole Morrison scored on the next play and the two-point conversion sent the Tigers to the locker room with a 35-27 lead.
Given the lead, Honaker’s defense stepped up in the second half and limited the Indians to just nine points and forcing turnovers.
Rural Retreat 14 13 3 6—36
Honaker 14 21 14 20—69