Email
Print
Bandys runs by Ashe Co.
McCombs has 242 yards as Trojans advance
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: November 15, 2008
WEST JEFFERSON – After coming off a couple of tough losses to end the regular season Bandys head coach Randy Lowman didn't know how his team would respond. Thankfully they shook off a rough first half and rebounded to defeat Ashe County 42-24 in the first round of the 2AA state football playoffs.
Bandys will travel to Shelby (9-3), a 33-7 winner over Black Mountain Owen.
While Josh McCombs had another stellar performance finishing the night with 242 yards on 32 carries it was the defense by the Trojans that set the tone in the final two quarters.
Defensive back Cody Hughes had a career night as the junior collected three interceptions during the game to end a couple of drives by the Huskies.
Bandys enjoyed a slim 21-17 lead to start the third quarter and after the two teams traded possessions, Hughes intercepted a Daniel Waln pass to give the Trojans the ball at their own 44-yard line.
Kyle Houser connected with Seth Cranfill on a 14-yard scoring pass to make it 28-17 following the Chris Mullis PAT.
Hughes was glad his defensive play helped give his team the momentum they needed in the second half.
"We came together as a team tonight and I am just grateful our defense was able hold a good team off," said Hughes. "Throughout the season we have been a second half team and we were able to pick it up and hold them on some three and outs and were able to score."
Bandys (6-6) held Ashe County to a another three-play possession and on their next drive watched McCombs cap an eight-play 60-yard drive to open the fourth quarter and make it 35-14 with 11:47 remaining in the game.
The Huskies would answer on the next play from scrimmage as Waln hit Aaron Scott on a screen pass and he scampered 65 yards to make it 35-24 just 19 seconds later.
Ashe County (8-4) forced Bandys to punt on its next possession but Hughes stepped up for his third interception on the ensuing drive by the Huskies.
Houser connected with Bradley Rowe on a 51-yard scoring pass to put the game out of reach and help Bandys reach the second round of the playoffs.
Entering the playoffs Lowman was worried about the confidence of his team entering the game.
"We have not played many good first halves this year," said Lowman. "We have seemed to be a second half team this year. Our confidence hasn't been what is should be after we just took three losses. Hopefully this win will help our confidence."
Lowman also added that Hughes had been struggling a little and with injuries Hughes got a chance to play a little more than usual.
"Cody has been splitting time with Daimyn Niemi in the backfield and when Daimyn had a little soreness with his ankle we decided to play Cody and he did a great job," added Lowman.
To start the game it appeared Ashe County was ready for the Bandys passing game as Buster Phillips intercepted a Houser pass and returned it to the four yard line of the Trojans.
Richie Absher put the Huskies up 3-0 with a 36-yard field goal and Ashe County would forced Houser to intentionally ground the ball in the end zone to force a safety and take an early 5-0 lead.
Bandys answered on its next drive when Houser hit Niemi in stride on a 19-yard touchdown pass to make it 6-5.
Waln put Ashe County back in front with a 1-yard run on their next drive to make it 11-6.
Houser and Niemi connected again for a scoring pass this time from 42 yards out to make it 14-11 Bandys following the two-point conversion.
The Huskies took their final lead of the game at 17-14 following a Scott 8-yard run with 6:07 remaining in the second quarter.
McCombs answered on the Trojans very next play from scrimmage with a 67-yard scoring run to make it 21-17.
Houser finished the game 11-of-24 passing for 200 yards and four touchdowns with McCombs scoring two.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
