Tigers unable to recover from early mistakes, fall 41-19 to Liberty

Blue Ridge will seek its first win this Friday night when the Tigers welcome the Greer Yellow Jackets to Jim Howard Stadium.

Another week, another costly first frame. Blue Ridge fell into a 20-0 hole during the first quarter of the Tigers’ home opener against Liberty and couldn’t recover, ultimately falling 41-19.

“It was just a case of blown opportunities,” said Blue Ridge head coach John Boggs. “We dug ourselves a hole early, but we had plenty of chances to get back in the game. It was just a bad complimentary football game.”

After falling into an early hole for a second straight week, Blue Ridge pulled a touchdown back in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run from Bryson Wyatt. Liberty came right back down the field and answered with a score of their own, however, to increase the deficit to 27-7.

Just before halftime, the Tigers received a jolt of life courtesy of quarterback Gavin Forrester and wide receiver Asheton Stokes. Forrester rolled out to his left from his own five-yard line and found Stokes streaking down the field on a blown coverage. Stokes sprinted down the left sideline for a 95-yard score.

“Asheton’s had a couple big catches the past few weeks now,” said Boggs. “He just finds a way to get open. He knows how to get into open space once he does get the ball and find some extra yards for us.”

Down 27-13 heading into the fourth quarter, two straight Liberty touchdown runs sealed the Tigers’ fate. Wyatt’s second one-yard touchdown run at the end of the fourth was inconsequential.

Boggs says his Tigers were outplayed physically by the Red Devils.

“They were tough. They came in and they hit us in the mouth,” he said. “I don’t think we really responded as well as I hoped we would. One of the things we don’t ever want to be is outhit. So that’s a little discouraging.”

The Tigers will have to lick their wounds and recover quickly, as cross-town rival Greer visits this Friday. Greer comes in at 0-2 as well, and will be hungry to get their first win at Blue Ridge’s expense.

The Jackets took down Blue Ridge last season, 56-20.

“It’s a bragging rights game for the kids, it’s a rivalry. A lot of them go to the same church together, or their parents work together,” said Boggs of the Greer-Blue Ridge rivalry. “There should be a great atmosphere, a great crowd here. I’m expecting a packed house.”