Bobcats Control Giles to Remain Undefeated
By ELIZABETH KANIPE
The Patriot
The Radford Bobcats got to have their first home game in over 400 days Monday against the Giles Spartans and their single-wing attack. The Bobcats were playing their second game in 4 days and looking to remain undefeated. The Spartans were 1-1 and looking to upset the Bobcats.
Radford came out on top, 48-6.
Giles received the opening kickoff and on the third play from scrimmage Darius Wesley-Brubeck recovered a Chastin Ratcliffe fumble and returned it 35 yards for the game’s first score. Mason Sproule converted the PAT.
After 3-and-outs on the next three possessions, the Bobcats took over at the Spartan 44.
Quarterback Zane Rupe gained 12 yards on the first play. The next play Wesley-Brubeck ran for a hard fought 18 yards and with a face mask penalty added on, the ball was placed at the Giles 11-yard line.
Three plays later Rupe scored on a 5-yard run. The PAT by Sproule went through the uprights making the score 14-0 Bobcats.
The Bobcats took possession again on their own 44 after holding the Spartans to one first down. Rupe’s pass to Tyrel Dobson was complete for 11 yards. Wesley-Brubeck took a lateral pass for a crafty 19 yards. Then Rupe found a wide-open Xavier Cobbs for a 26-yard touchdown reception. Sproule connected again on the PAT.
Giles was able to sustain a nice drive with several Ratcliffe runs, but the drive stalled at the Bobcat 25-yard line after the Spartans failed to convert on a 4th and 12.
Radford wasted no time moving down the field.
Wesley-Brubeck ran a hard 12 yards spinning and dragging Spartans. An added facemask penalty put the ball on the Giles 49-yard line. Wesley-Brubeck and Cobbs both added 12-yard runs setting up a 23-yard run by Dobson. With the PAT good the Bobcats led 28-0 with 3:55 left in the first half.
The Bobcats received the second half kickoff and were downed at their own 22-yard line.
On 3rd and 12 from the 20, Rupe connected with Wesley-Brubeck who took it 55 yards to the Giles 25. On the next play, Rupe called his own number and steam rolled to the end zone for the TD. Sproule’s PAT hit the left upright and fell short.
Giles was held to three and out, and during the punt attempt the ball rolled past their punter. As the punter tried to recover the ball, he was crushed by Alex Kanipe which allowed Dawson Martin to recover the ball and run it to the Giles 9.
Three plays later, Rupe connected with Marcel Baylor for a 3-yard touchdown. Sproule connected on the extra point pushing the Bobcats to a 41-0 lead.
On the next possession, Ratcliffe broke free from the Giles 44 and sprinted past the Bobcat defense. Baylor came from behind to strip the ball and make the recovery in the end zone for a touchback.
The next Bobcats possession stalled and ended with a Sproule punt to the Spartan 32.
Against the Bobcats reserves the Spartans sustained a 9-play, 68-yard drive that finished with a 3-yard Ratcliffe touchdown. Mason Gray’s attempted PAT fell short.
On the ensuing kickoff, Xavier Cobbs was able to go around the right side and sprints 81 yards untouched for the game’s final score. Sproule was good on the extra point and the Bobcats had their win, 48-6.
Radford’s defense gave up the most yards it had all season to the Spartans who finished with 249 total yards. Ratcliffe led the way with 207 of those yards.
The Bobcats’ defense was also able to force three turnovers including a scoop and score by Wesley-Brubeck.
The Bobcat offense was led by Rupe who finished 6 for 9 passing with 120 yards and 2 TDs. He also led Radford with 71 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Wesley-Brubeck finished with 35 yards rushing and 67 yards receiving and 1 TD.
The Bobcats are in action again on Saturday, for their third game in nine days, as they host the Glenvar Highlanders in a game which usually decides the Three River District championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
