Before Friday night’s Graham-Abingdon game, I ran into new Patrick Henry baseball coach Jon Boyd and he asked what I thought would happen.
“I’m not sure,” I told him, “but I just hope someone’s throwing the ball into the end zone on the last play to win it.”
Two hours and 45 minutes later, I got my wish. Graham’s David Marrs tried to hit J.K. Goins amid a sea of humanity in the back of the end zone and didn’t come close, allowing Abingdon to escape with a 34-27 win.
The biggest beneficiaries were riding back to Richlands on school buses. The Blue Tornadoes, which won 34-6 at Carroll County, can now win the Southwest District title on the Virginia High School League Rating Scale by beating Grundy next week at home.
Richlands’ win also damaged Abingdon’s wild card playoff hopes in Division 4, but it’s hard to play party-pooper on the Falcons’ celebration. For at least one night, the good old days were back in Abingdon.
Adam Henderson, who is making a serious push to be the first team All-Southwest Virginia quarterback, threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns. His offensive line was impressive against constant Graham blitzing, allowing just one sack.
The O-line also run-blocked a lot better after halftime, when Braden Coleman rushed for 106 of his 122 yards.
“We thought we could move the ball on them,” Falcons coach John Bowles said.
The G-Men had permitted just 28 points in winning their first four SWD games, but Abingdon is by far the district’s most dynamic offense. With an experienced QB, a slew of solid to excellent receivers and an improving running back, the Falcons can light up anyone for 30-plus.
It was a good thing they did, because their defense didn’t stop a soul. Graham is not known for its explosive offense, but looked unstoppable most of the night, gaining 373 yards on the ground and rolling up a preposterous 25 first downs.
Abingdon must win at Marion next week and hope against hope that Richlands loses to a team which is 0-5 in the SWD or its season will be over. Regardless, the Falcons earned last night’s postgame celebration.
And in the process, I got to see what I wish for every Friday night.