Centurions edge 'Cats in offensive shootout

Broome running back Jorge Herbas uses a stiff arm Friday to escape an attempted tackle by Blacksburg defensive back D.J. Geter. A wild offensive shootout wasn't settled Friday until Broome quarterback Aaron Harris scored on a 38-yard run with 1:59 left to preserve a 41-31 victory.

Nothing came easy for Broome in a game where the teams combined for 539 yards passing.

The Centurions took a two-touchdown lead in the second and fourth quarters only to see Blacksburg fight back on each occasion.

Trailing 35-31 with two minutes remaining, the Blacksburg offense saw a potential game-winning drive end when Broome defensive back Dijon Farr intercepted quarterback Dustin Byars at the 45-yard line.

The Centurions were able to cash in on the turnover when Harris got outside the Blacksburg defense for his scoring run.

"We fought tooth and nail. It was anybody's game until the end," Blacksburg coach Robbie Blanton said. "We had to get away from our running game and start throwing the ball in the fourth quarter. We made some strides in the passing game tonight. We just weren't able to convert a few times when we needed to."

Byars threw for a season-high 273 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wildcats' offense.

Broome intercepted Byars five times, including four picks by Farr.

Farr's first interception set up Broome's first touchdown on a 9-yard run by James Anderson. Blacksburg answered when wide receiver Rashad Earls took a short pass from Byars and outraced the Centurions' defense for a 64-yard touchdown to pull the Wildcats within 7-6.

Running back Jorge Herbas had touchdown runs of 10 and 2 yards to give Broome a 21-6 lead midway though the second quarter.

But Blacksburg scored twice to pull within 21-19 at halftime.

Blacksburg running back Maurice Brown scored on a two-yard run to cap a 65-yard scoring drive.

Wide receiver Myron Mitchell scored on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Byars right before halftime.

Blacksburg took a 25-21 lead in the third quarter when Byars found wide receiver Chris Hames on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 7:50 seconds left in the third quarter.

Broome used the passing of Harris to receivers Gary Armstrong and Dashad Watson to go on a long scoring drive to regain the lead on a 24-yard touchdown catch by Farr on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Centurions increased their lead to 35-25 on a 14- yard run by Anderson with 9:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Blacksburg would not go quietly, even after Byars was intercepted at the 9-yard line to end a long drive.

Blacksburg defensive tackle Dewitt Ford recovered a fumble on the next play to give the Wildcats offense another opportunity.

Byars hit Hames for a 9- yard scoring toss to pull Blacksburg to 35-31 with 3:42 remaining.

The Wildcats defense shut down Broome on its next possession to give the Wildcats offense a chance for a potential game-winning drive. Blacksburg saw its final two drives end on interceptions before the Centurions ran out the clock to win the game.

Blacksburg will play Southside on Friday.