Carroll County put together one of its best efforts of the season Friday, but Radford scored the last 17 points to defeat the Cavs 24-7 in a Three Rivers District contest at Radford.
The Bobcats struck first midway through the first quarter on Zane Rupe’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Christopher Carter. Carroll County (1-8, 0-5 Three Rivers District) responded less than five minutes later, however, as Logan Trudell’s 3-yard touchdown run and Kyle Robinson’s extra point tied the game at 7-all.
The next touchdown for Radford (2-7, 1-3 Three Rivers) is one that is likely to remain a sore spot with the Cavaliers for some time. Early in the second quarter, the Bobcats fumbled the ball into the end zone and Carroll County recovered for an apparent touchback. A referee inadvertently blew a whistle, however, and the play was replayed. Radford scored on the next play as P.J. Prioleau hauled in an 8-yard pass from Rupe for a touchdown and a 14-7 advantage.
The score would stay that way throughout the rest of the first half and all of the third quarter with the Cavaliers continuing to battle hard against the home team. Radford scored twice in the final six minutes to pull away. Conner Lytton drilled a 40-yard field goal with 6:15 to play to make it 17-7 and Jaylin Taylor picked off a Carroll pass and raced 68 yards for a pick-six to shut the door on the Cavaliers’ chances.
Cassell McMillian ran for 64 yards on 16 carries to lead Carroll, while Connor Horton caught two passes for 54 yards. Rupe completed 10-of-21 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns for Radford, who continued their winning streak over Carroll, who last beat Radford as Hillsville High School.
Carroll County will wrap up the regular season at home Friday with a Three Rivers District contest against James River.
Carroll 7 0 0 0 –– 7
Radford 7 7 0 10 –– 24
First quarter
R – Carter 48 pass from Rupe (Lytton kick)
CC – Trudell 3 run (Robinson kick)
Second quarter
R – Prioleau 8 pass from Rupe (Lytton kick)
Fourth quarter
R – Lytton 40 field goal
R – Taylor 68 interception return (Lytton kick)
Team Statistics
CC Rad
First downs 12 13
Rushes-yards 43-124 36-138
Passing yards 67 138
Passing 4-13-1 10-24-1
Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-0
Penalties-yards 3-30 7-62
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Carroll County
RUSHING ––McMillian 16-64, Trudell 11-22, Leonard 4-16, Dalton 1-12, Rotenizer 4-9, Motley 5-8, Rodrigue 1-minus 3, Horton 1-minus 4.
PASSING – Rotenizer 4-7-1 67 yds., Motley 0-6-0 0 yds.
RECEIVING – Horton 2-54, Motley 1-9, McMillian 1-4.
Radford
RUSHING – Prioleau 10-65, Carter 6-24, Shepherd 3-23, Rupe 12-9, Stanley 1-8, Marshall 2-8, Taylor 1-6, Johnson 1-minus 5.
PASSING ––Rupe 10-21-1 138 yds., Prioleau 0-1-0 0 yds., Team 0-2-0 0 yds.
RECEIVING ––Prioleau 6-74, Carter 3-60, Shepherd 1-4.