Game Time Blog

By DAVE UTNIK

Welcome to the News & Messenger’s Northwest Region Division 6 playoff edition of the Game Time Blog.

Game: Gar-Field at Battlefield

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Weather: Quite nice actually. A jacket will do.

PREVIEW

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Battlefield Bobcats have been here before. Several times in fact. They reached the Group AAA, Division 6 state quarterfinals last season before falling to Lake Braddock. Gar-Field is making its first playoff appearance since 2007. The Indians aren’t going to stay long, even if they somehow win tonight. The winner of this game will play at Hylton next weekend. Colonial Forge awaits after that.

UPSET ALERT
This may sound crazy considering that Battlefield won 31-0 the last time these two teams met, but with 3:40 remaining in the first half, Gar-Field is actually winning this game. The host Bobcats have been undone by a missed extra point and an interception.

NOT AS EASY THIS TIME
After a scoreless first quarter, both teams have touchdowns in the second quarter. Battlefield struck first on a 15-yard pass reception from Ryan Swingle to Andrew Smith. For some reason, Bobcats coach Mark Cox feels he needs more of a passing attack so he’s platooning quarterbacks with Devon Green handling handoffs and Swingle taking care of most passing plays. Not really sure why Battlefield would abandon the game plan that got them here with an 8-2 record. The Bobcats proved to be a pretty good running team and they held their own against Osbourn and Hylton by keeping the ball on the ground. Now they are pass happy and it’s already cost them a touchdown—and the lead.

CAN’T STOP THIS
Devonte Piggott is a one-man wrecking crew for Gar-Field. He returned an interception 71 yards to set his own second-quarter touchdown reception from quarterback Ryan Mason.

HALFTIME
GAR-FIELD 7, BATTLEFIELD 6

NUMBERS GAME
Battlefield has nearly doubled Gar-Field in total yardage, yet the Bobcats trail at the half. The Indians’ 71-yard interception return sort of skews the stats. The Indians have 45 yards in actual offense with 12 of those coming on Piggott’s TD catch.

DEE-FENSE:
Just one week after they failed to convert a 4th-down running play at the goalline in overtime, the Indians went for it again in Bobcats territory. This time they lost a yard on 4th and one inch, turning the ball over to Battlefield on downs. The Gar-Field coach on the press box roof was decidedly unpleased. He’s actually providing some fantastic comic relief.

STILL NOT TOO HAPPY
If you thought the Indians’ assistant was peeved over his team’s lack of execution, imagine how he felt when Gar-Field was called for roughing the kicker on a punt just moments ago. The play gave Battlefield an automatic first down and the Bobcats now have possession 1st and goal at the 4.

SCORE UPDATE
Nagee Jackson capped Battlefield’s short 36-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. With 6:17 remaining in the third quarter, the Bocats are back in front 12-7. Make that 14-7 following a 2-point conversion pass from Greene to Bobo Beathard.

DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?
Bobcats running back Cedric Agymen fumbled twice on the same running play, recovering his own dropped handoff and then losing the ball again as he tried to scramble. The play began with Battlefield in possession at it’s own 42 and resulted in a Gar-Field tocuhdown. Frank Polk finally picked up the loose ball at the 15 and carried it into the end zone for a game-tying touchdown. 2:09 left in the third quarter.

OUCH!
Battlefield turnovers have led directly to both Gar-Field touchdowns.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
GAR-FIELD 14, BATTLEFIELD 14

ON THE MOVE
The Bobcats are looking for a go-ahead touchdown, having moved the ball to the G-F 11 yard line with just under 10 minutes remaining.

MEMO TO MARK COX: THIS ISN’T A PASSING TEAM
The “we need to be more of a passing team” experiment should probably be shelved for whatever remains of the postseason. Ryan Swingle and Devon Greene have both thrown interceptions tonight. The most recent turnover—a Swingle pass in the end zone that was picked off by David Bailey in the end zone—ended a potential game-winning scoring drive.

TAKE TWO
But since Gar-Field’s offense is completely inept, the Bobcats will get another chance for a touchdown with 4 minutes to play. An Indian punt gave Battlefield the ball back around its own 30 and the offense has moved the ball to the Gar-Field 19. The Bobcats face 3rd and 9—probably a passing situation, something that hasn’t gone well to this point.

4th DOWN DECISION
The Bobcats are at the 15, making it 4th and 5 with 2:13 to go. This will be a game-winning field goal try.

HOEPKER THE HERO
Jason Hoepker’s 32-yard field goal with 2:07 remaining has give Battlefield the lead, 17-14.

ONE LAST CHANCE
Gar-Field will need a 90-yard drive after picking up an unsportsmanlike penalty on the kickoff. 

NO MORE CHANCES
Just one play after the penalty, Gar-Field fumbled. Nagee Jackson recovered for Battlefield and the Bobcats are threatening to score again. Jackson has 25 carries for 100 yards—more proof that the Bobcats are a running team.

FINAL SCORE
BATTLEFIELD 17, GAR-FIELD 14