18th century British poet William Blake’s famous verse certainly was appropriate last Friday in Cedar Bluff, as the Tigers torched Ap-palachian 42-9 and raised the Bluff’s record to 4-1 and 3-0 in 1A, Region 6.
The potent Tiger offense exploded for 501 total yards, featuring Noell Harp’s two touchdown, 200 rushing yard performance on 14 carries.
Quarterback Cole Peace once again had an outstanding game directing the Bluff offense, as the junior signal caller completed nine passes on 17 attempts for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tigers’ third straight victory set up an important regional game next week against Collinsville (5-0, 3-0).
“This certainly is a big win for us, and I’m pleased with our effort,” said Cedar Bluff head coach Steve Smith. “It’s good that everyone got to play. Offensively the line came off the ball well, and we ran the ball well at times.
“Defensively, we stalled a number of [Appalachian] drives and came up with some big plays, which is what we always look to do. The defense has really been stepping up lately; we’ve given up just one touchdown in the last eight quarters.
“We just have to work on eliminating turnovers while we get ready for Collinsville.”
The Bluff defense reaped immediate dividends following the opening kickoff.
After a 36-yard Shea Putman-to-Michael Beasley pass gave the Eagles a first down and 10 at the Tiger 26-yard line, Josh Moten recovered an Appalachian fumble on the next play.
Peace and Co. wasted little time in finding the end zone, as Harp broke through the Eagle defense for a touchdown on third and 2 from the Tiger 26. Harp’s two-point run was good, and Cedar Bluff was up 8-0 at 10:03 of the first quarter.
Having barely broken a sweat, the Tiger defense quickly delivered 1:03 later.
Cody Edmondson’s fumble recovery on the visitor’s 30 yard line led three plays later to Peace’s 25-yard scoring strike to Moten on a third and 5 screen pass. Adam Weaver’s extra point split the uprights, and the Bluff led 15-0 at 8:17.
Appalachian had good field position at the Cedar Bluff 37 yard line midway though the second quarter, but the Tiger came up with another big play when junior cornerback Chris Beck intercepted an Eagle pass to end the scoring threat.
The Bluff defenders came up with a fine late-second half stand when Appalachian had a first and goal situation on the Tiger 5 yard line with less than a minute remaining.
Jody Reed and Peace came through with consecutive sacks that pushed the Eagles back to the 17-yard line, and Moten’s fingertip deflection of an end zone pass denied Appalachian a touchdown.
The Eagles had to settle for an Ashley Corgus field goal with 34.9 remaining, and Cedar Bluff left the field at halftime with a 15-3 lead.
Moten brought the Tiger faithful to their feet on the second half’s opening kickoff.
The junior receiver raced down the visitors’ sideline for an apparent 80-yard touchdown, but the clutch play was brought back on a clipping penalty.
The Tiger defense made up for the miscue three minutes later, when sophomore defensive tackle Jody Reed caused and recovered an Appalachian fumble at the Eagle 15.
Moten reclaimed his touchdown on a seven yard run six plays later, and Peace’s two-point conversion run gave the hosts a 23-3 lead at 5:51 of the third.
Moten’s big play capability is not restricted to the offense, as he intercepted two Eagle passes within 1:13 stalled two more Appalachian drives.
The latter pickoff came in the Eagle end zone at 4:13 of the third, and on the next play from scrimmage Harp raced up the middle of the field for an 80-yard touchdown run. Weaver’ kick was good, and the Bluff increased its lead to 30-3 at 3:59
Appalachian finally reached the end zone 19 seconds later when Beasley and Tyler Ingram hooked up for a 58-yard touchdown pass to make the score 30-9.
The Bluff wasn’t ready to hit the showers quite yet, however.
After T.J. Henderson recovered an ensuing onside Eagle kick, Peace and Corey Walker connected for a 42-yard touchdown strike at 2:24 of the third to put the hosts ahead 36-9.
Cody Edmondson’s 11-yard scoring run as the third quarter ended iced the game for the Bluff, and the Tiger reserves held the Eagles in check for the victory.
Tim Brown tallied 54 yards on seven carries, followed by Mark Clifton (3-37), Edmondson (3-17), Corey Walker (2-8), Moten (1-7), and Peace (1-3).
Clifton grabbed four catches for 75 yards, followed by Moten (7-38), Adam Wickham (2-21), Edmondson (1-29), Larry Morris (3-13) and Harp (1-7).
Cedar Bluff visits Collinsville in Region 6 action on Friday
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