Cougars playoff bound, beat Cave Spring

Cougar football helmetBy BRIAN BISHOP

The Patriot

 

On a cold night at Dobson Stadium, the Cougars took care of business beating the Cave Spring Knights, 27-20.  This win moves Pulaski County to 4-6 on the season and into the Class 3, Region D playoffs.

 

Pulaski County broke several long runs against the Knights, starting with the Cougars’ first possession when Bryant Nottingham ran for 68 yards to the three yard line, but fumbled into the end zone with Cave Spring recovering.

 

In the second quarter, Isaiah O’dell returned a kickoff for 79 yards to the Cave Spring 13 yard line.  Three plays later, Trevor Gallimore scored his second touchdown on the night, putting the Cougars up 14-7.

 

With the game tied during the third quarter, Chase Lawrence ran for an 86-yard touchdown, and a Nottingham PAT gave the Cougars a 21-14 lead.

 

Cave Spring scored on a Jackson Steffen three-yard run, after a Pulaski County fumble on their own 16 yard line. Cave missed the extra point, giving Pulaski County the lead at 21-20 with 10:58 left to play.

 

Both teams punted on their next possessions before Pulaski started a drive on their own 26 yard line.  After gaining two first downs, Gallimore ran for a 30-yard touchdown with 2:01 remaining.

 

The Cougars went for two points to make it a two-score game, but Gallimore was tackled in the backfield and the score stood at 27-20.

 

Pulaski attempted a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the Cave Spring front line handled it and had the ball on their own 47 yard line.

Nottingham broke up a long pass play on first down and a poor snap to the quarterback on second down put the Knights in a hole.

On third and long, Zach Gallimore sacked the Cave Spring quarterback.  A fourth down pass was unsuccessful and gave the Cougars their second straight win and their fourth of the season.

 

The Cougars had 312 yards rushing to Cave Springs’ 112.

Gallimore had 122 on 31 carries with three TD’s.  Lawrence had 115 on 6 carries with one TD.  Nottingham had 69 yards on four attempts and O’Dell had 1 yard on one carry.

 

Nottingham completed one pass to O’Dell for 21 yards.  He attempted 6 passes.

 

Pulaski County outgained Cave Spring on the night, 328 yards to 249.

 

The Cougars will now travel to Vinton to face the William Byrd Terriers in the first round of the region playoffs.  Byrd is 9-1 with their only loss to Christiansburg.  They have wins against Lord Botetourt, Franklin County and William Fleming.