Luray turns ball over three times and loses two onside kicks by Gap
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Sept. 6 — The Luray Bulldogs sustained long drives in half of their possessions on Friday night, picked up a dozen first downs, and put up 243 yards of offense. However, the home team only found the end zone once, turned the ball over three times, and gave up at least two possessions on successful onside kicks by the Bison of Buffalo Gap in a 47-7 non-district loss.
In two non-district games this season, the Bison have outscored their opponents 89-10. Junior quarterback Isaac Goff lead the Gap offense Friday night at Bulldog Field with 223 yards on 18 carries (12.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Goff also grabbed an interception on defense. Senior running back Colby Yeago recorded 142 yards on 13 carries (10.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Goff and Yeago combined for 365 of Gap’s 480 yards of total offense.
While Luray was able to pound their ground game most of the night, the Bulldogs gave up two interceptions and a fumble at crucial points in the game. Luray put the ball on the ground three other times, but a Bulldog was able to pounce on it to retain the possession. In addition, Buffalo Gap tried several onside kicks — or short high kicks — and the Bison were able to grab two, stealing a pair of possessions away from the home team.
Neither team found much success in their opening drives, as the Bison went three-and-out, while Luray picked up one first down. However, the Bison went 55 yards on seven plays in their second drive, ending with a 30-yard touchdown run by Goff. Gap held a 7-0 led at the end of the first quarter.
Luray began the second quarter by ending a nine-play drive that had covered 52 yards with an interception grabbed by Gap senior Lane Malcolm. The Bulldogs would only throw the ball five times all night, with only one completion for 38 yards and two interceptions. It only took the Bison two plays to find the end zone again after a 52-yard break away run by Goff to take a 14-0 lead.
Luray’s third possession was riddled with problems, as the first play resulted in a holding penalty, the second play was fumbled (but recovered), and the third play was intercepted by Goff. Gap then went 65 yards in seven plays, capped off by a 41-yard touchdown run by Yeago to go up 21-0.
Luray’s next drive stalled out after seven plays and two first downs, as they turned it over on downs. Buffalo Gap then went 66 yards in three plays, thanks to a break away run from junior Grayson McCall, two penalties on the Bulldogs, and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm. The Bison headed into halftime with a 27-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs sustained their best drive of the game to open up the second half, going 45 yards over 10 plays, ending with a two-yard touchdown run by junior Cason Bryant. Luray’s defense then held Gap to one first down on their next possession, and the visitors turned the ball over on downs. Down only 27-7, momentum was trending toward the Bulldogs in the third quarter. Sophomore Ayden Haddock hit junior Nick Cubbage on a 38-yard pass to get the ball to midfield. Then on a third-and-one, Luray fumbled the ball and completely broke the momentum they had built with 2:11 left in the third. Gap would score again three plays later on an eight-yard run by Yeago to go up 35-7.
Gap would then execute the first of two successful onside kicks to steal a possession from Luray. The Bison then went 55 yards in six plays, ending with a 36-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Jude Louk to sophomore Bradley Shiplett to take a 41-7 lead.
Luray’s final drive picked up three first downs and covered 48 yards over 15 plays before turning the ball over on downs on the Gap 22 yard line. Five plays later, the Bison capped off the scoring on a 68-yard touchdown run by Yeago to win 47-7. Another successful onside kick would rob Luray of their final possession, and Gap sat on the ball to run out the clock.
Bryant lead the Bulldog offense with 122 yards on 19 carries (6.4 yards per carry), while sophomore Ryan Jenkins had 84 yards on 21 carries (4 yards per carry). Luray had 243 yards of total offense on eight possessions (two less than Gap). The Bison would score on four of five possessions in each half.
Next up, Luray (0-2) will travel to Stanardsville to face Class 3 William Monroe on Friday, Sept. 13; while Buffalo Gap (2-0) travels to Clarke County.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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