By Michael Lindsay
The Region 4-1A champions are clad in Gordonsville blue as the Tigers won a thriller over Clay County in double overtime Friday night, 42-41.
“The seniors went through last year losing to those guys twice and they did not want to quit tonight,” said Gordonsville head coach Stephen Jackson. “They wanted to go out as a region champion.”
Clay County went for the win in the second overtime as the Bulldogs dialed up a 2-point conversion following their touchdown, but Gordonsville senior Canaan Musgrove intercepted the pass in the end zone to seal the Tiger victory.
“(I asked them) to do what they’ve done all year; fight,” said Jackson. “We had some adversity and didn’t play great, but we never quit. We kept on fighting.”
Gordonsville quarterback J Foster and Clay County quarterback Nate Adams accounted for 4 touchdowns each Friday as they both threw for 3 and rushed for another.
Gordonsville hit the ground running Friday as the Tigers scored on the second play from scrimmage. Jemario Williams took a handoff 40 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead 55 seconds into the contest.
Clay County answered on the first play of the second quarter as Ayden Soto rushed in a 14-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bulldogs weren’t done there as they recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff and scored 3 plays later as quarterback Nate Adams hit Waylon Cherry on a 23-yard touchdown pass. Clay County led 14-7 with 10:31 remaining until halftime.
“Our message all week was ‘play the next play,’” Jackson said. “We’re going to have good things and bad things happen to us. With the two Adams kids on their team, they’re going to make plays.”
Gordonsville got back on the scoreboard board late in the second period as Foster rushed in a 4-yard touchdown on fourth and three with 2:28 left until halftime to tie the contest at 14, a score that stood until halftime.
Following the break, the Tigers took a 21-14 lead early in the second half as Foster hit Spencer Pipes uncovered in the end zone for a short touchdown pass.
Clay County wouldn’t go away quietly, however, as the Bulldogs answered with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter as Adams hit Weston Birdwell on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Clay County failed to convert their extra point as Gordonsville held a narrow 21-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Tigers added to their lead with 9:42 remaining in regulation. Facing a third and 17 at their own 10-yard line, a tipped pass from Foster found the arms of Kyle Adams, who took the ball to the end zone for a 90-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers ahead 28-20.
“It was third and long and they were playing deep, but Kyle just made a play,” Jackson said.
After trading empty possessions, Clay County took over at their own 22-yard line with 2:00 remaining in regulation.
The Bulldogs marched deep into Gordonsville territory as they had the ball first and goal at the 6-yard line. Clay County was stuffed on their first running play before spiking the ball and back-to-back penalties set up Clay County with third and goal from the 12-yard line with 34.5 seconds remaining.
Adams rose to the occasion as the gunslinger hit Lance Burchett on a 12-yard touchdown to bring Clay County within 2 points, 28-26.
The Bulldogs went to the air on the 2-point conversion as Adams hit Weston Birdwell in the end zone to tie the contest at 28 with 34 seconds left.
Gordonsville got within striking distance with 1 second left in regulation, but the Bulldogs ultimately kept the Tigers out of the end zone to force overtime.
Clay County struck first in overtime as Adams rushed in a 10-yard touchdown on the first play to put his team ahead 35-28.
Gordonsville answered on their possession as Foster hit Waylon Kennedy in the back of the end zone on fourth and goal for a touchdown, sending the game to a second overtime tied at 35.
The Tigers scored on the first possession of the second overtime as Canaan Musgrove rushed in a 5-yard touchdown to put Gordonsville ahead 42-35.
Clay County scored on the ensuing possession as Nolan Adams took a 10-yard sweep to the end zone to make the score 42-41. The Bulldogs elected to go for 2 and the win, but Gordonsville turned them away as Musgrove intercepted a Clay County pass in the end zone to preserve the 42-41 victory.
“This is a community event; everybody shows up,” Jackson added. “It’s a great atmosphere and a great job by our fans. To be able to stay at home (for the first two rounds of the playoffs) is a huge advantage. Hopefully we get the same atmosphere as tonight.”
Gordonsville and Clay County each finished the regular season at 6-4 overall and will host first-round Class 1A playoff games next week.
Gordonsville will host Chattanooga Prep while Clay County will host Sale Creek.
