Whirlies Cage Tigers; Cruise to 49-7 Win
from Mike Fanning for GreensboroSports.com
On a crisp fall evening in Jamestown, the visiting Grimsley Whirlies dominated both sides of the ball and improved to 7-0 on the season, defeating the Ragsdale Tigers 49-7. Grimsley offense scored touchdowns on their first six straight possessions and the defense held Ragsdale to just one first down the entire contest. Grimsley’s six first half touchdowns meant we were in a running clock situation with still 3:23 remaining till halftime.
On a night where the Tigers celebrated Homecoming, it was a game that Ragsdale would like to soon forget. After receiving the opening kick and starting their first drive from their own 20, they immediately went the wrong way. In what proved to be a theme the whole night, the Tiger offensive line failed to slow down the Grimsley pass rush. The first play of the game resulted in intentional grounding. Grimley linebacker Bryce Davis busted through the line and chased down Sion Stevenson who’s pass did not reach the line of scrimmage. The flag resulted in a loss of down and 13 yards. Two plays later, the Tigers were punting from their own 3 yard line.
The Whirles first drive went 53 yards in less than 2 minutes, as Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon found DJ Howerton from 26 yards out to make it 7-0. After another quick 3 and out, the Whirlies would go 60 yards in 1:23 as Brandon found Kaden Catoe for a 42 yard touchdown strike. Just like that it was 14-0 and we haven’t even played 6 minutes. Another Ragsdale 3 and out set-up Grimsley at the Tigers 46 yard line. This Whirlie drive took a modest 2:13 and was capped off by running back Mitchell Summers who scored from 3 yards away for his first rushing touchdown of the game.
The second quarter was more of the same. Mitchell Summers scored from 3 yards away to make it 28-0 with 9:11 to play till halftime. Grimsley scored again, after another 3-out by Ragsdale, as Brandon found Catoe for a 40 yard TD grab. The final touchdown of the first half came with 3:23 left till halftime as Mitchell Summers caught a ball out of the backfield from 16 yards away to make it 42-0.
With a running clock in effect, each team would possess the ball just twice in the second half. Grimsley scored from 12 yards out as back-up running back Micah Williams slashed through the defense for his third touchdown of the season. Ragsdale would get on the board in the fourth quarter as Tiger running back Fabian Diggs took it to the house from 73 yards away to make it 49-7.
Fazion Brandon finished 11 of 13 for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns. Mitchell Summers rushed 11 times for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also caught one pass for a 16 yard touchdown. Kaden Catoe led the Whirlies with five catches for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. Micah Williams ended up rushing ten times for 100 yards and a touchdown.