Wildcats romp to win

Photo by SCOTT POWELL Blacksburg defensive back Brian Earls closes in to tackle Southside Christian running back Thaddeus Morgan during first half action Friday. Blacksburg senior quarterback Josh Elmore and wide receiver Chris Hames went trick or treating into the end zone on Halloween in a scary good performance by the offense in a 49-24 win over Southside Christian.

Hames caught an 81-yard halfback option pass for a touchdown from Elmore on the first offensive play of the night. The pair repeated the feat on the Wildcats second play with a 42-yard touchdown pass for a 16-0 lead just three minutes into the game.

Elmore found senior wide receiver Rashad Earls for a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter for his third touchdown pass of the evening.

Blacksburg seniors celebrated their final home game by scoring lots of touchdowns to help their team build a 43-8 halftime lead. The Wildcats were balanced on offense with 220 yards passing and 197 yards rushing.

After Hames' two long touchdown catches, a sophomore dominated Blacksburg offensive line paved the way for four different senior running backs to score touchdowns.

Fullback Josh Ramirez scored on a 10-yard run. Tailback Brandon Wilson scored on a 37-yard run and D.J. Geter had an 8-yard touchdown run.

Hames had a 2-yard touchdown run to give Blacksburg a comfortable 49-8 lead with 9:16 left in the third quarter. Hames caught four passes for 179 yards.

Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss was pleased with how his team finished the season. After winning their final regular season game, Moss found out Saturday morning Blacksburg (2-8) qualified for the Class A playoffs (see related story.)

"I thought we played really well. I was really happy we were able to play our younger guys and send the seniors out on a winning note this season," Moss said. "We wanted to get the ball into the hands of our skill position players and give them an opportunity to make plays."

Blacksburg defensive back Trey King and safety Dante Brown intercepted Southside Christian quarterback Will Gladden to set up two touchdowns in the first half.

Gladden threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Luke in the second quarter. The Sabres fooled Blacksburg on the play by lining up in what Moss called a "water bucket" formation with the offensive linemen to the left side of the field and wide receiver Adam Stone beside the center. The Sabres completed several passes from the unusual formation before returning to a more traditional offense late in the third quarter.

Southside Christian outscored Blacksburg 16-6 in the second half to make the final score more respectable.

The Blacksburg starting lineup spent almost the entire second half on the sidelines.

Moss substituted freely so Blacksburg football fans got a chance to see the program's future on the field.

Blacksburg quarterback

Blake Tharpe, the starting quarterback for the junior varsity, played the entire second half and led the Wildcats on a scoring drive on his first offensive series. Tharpe was among many reserves and young players that saw their first extensive playing time.

"Our guys had a comfortable cushion and were able to relax for the first time all season," Moss said. "We were able to go out and have fun playing football, which is what it's all about."