POSTSEASON CAT FIGHT; Big Blue topples Whitwell Tigers, 35-15

By Shea Haile

Courier Sports

GORDONSVILLE — Last Friday night at Gordonsville High’s Turney Ford Field, the Tigers’ football team continued their quest for the 2023 Class 1A title hosting Region 3-1A No. 2 seed Whitwell. 

Big Blue won the battle between the two Tiger programs 35-15 — clinching  a spot in the Class 1A Quarterfinals and a trip to top-seeded and Associated Press No.1 ranked South Pittsburg.

Gordonsville improved to 8-4 overall while Whitwell saw their season come to an end at 8-4.

After a scoreless first quarter, J Foster connected with Dalton Hancock for two touchdown passes including a jet sweep shovel connection. The host took a 14-0 lead. 

Whitwell posted their first points with a touchdown rush and subsequent two point conversion — trimming Big Blue’s lead to 14-8 with 21.9 seconds left in the first half. 

Gordonsville responded with a momentum shifting touchdown as the second quarter expired. Foster located senior receiver Kyle Adams who made an acrobatic catch along the right sideline for the 31 yard touchdown reception. 

“I thought the offense did a great job,” said Gordonsville head football coach Stephen Jackson. “On the first drive, we were able to drive it down inside the five yard line before we stalled out. Other than that, we were able to get in rhythm. We only had one false start that hurt us. We stayed in rhythm and in good down and distance. We were able to throw the “stop” route which opened up our running game by getting the safeties out of the box.”

Jackson continued, “J did a great job and Dalton did a great job catching the ball. Kyle Adams had a couple catches and Waylon Kennedy — I thought our offense did a great job. It started up front. Our offense line did a great job of blocking and protecting J. It was a great night offensively.”

READ MORE IN COURIER SPORTS