Air Jordan, Talbott that is, and a stable of running backs and a tough as mulehide defense dropped by Cavalier stadium on Friday night August 27 for the cross county rivalry show down. At the end of the evening the Knights fought off the Lord Botetourt team for a 15-9 victory. The 1A school won against the 2A Cavs for the first time in what one River fan described as “umpteen years.”

The Cavs never clicked offensively and with the exception of a touchdown drive late in the game, had trouble moving. Penalties plagued the Cavs in the first half as well. River on the other hand, battled mistakes that cost them yards and even a called back TD. Yet for the most part, the smaller, but quicker Knights had the eye of the tiger keeping the LB offense lead by will Cline and Durell Stone captured near the line of scrimmage more often than not

Talbott shined with the confidence of a senior  and not only on offense but  he sacked Cline when the Cavs knocked late in the game and the result was only a field goal for the Cavs. He also dropped on the onside kick and from there on the Knights counted the seconds. Loads of players performed well for both but Coach Philip King also mentioned  Linebacker Tommy Lithgoe who lived part of the night in the Cavalier backfield.

JRHS fans and team mates jumped and cheered as the final seconds  ticked away. Not a state basketball championship, but not bad, not bad at all!

At the end the two teams gathered mid field and departed friends after the hard fought game. Next week the Cavs play Salem and the Knights head to Glenvar.