Wildcats focused on future after narrow defeat Friday
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Sports Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Blacksburg running back Brandon Wilson dashes for 23 yards Thursday in the third quarter of Blacksburg's 24- 14 loss to Indian Land.

Blacksburg football players will have little time to think about how close they came to beating Indian Land on Thursday evening.

Blacksburg will go on the road this week to face Class 2A rival Chesnee. Chesnee is coming off an impressive 40-0 win over Landrum.

After a bye week, the Wildcats plays Woodruff before starting their region schedule.

"Chesnee and Woodruff are real good teams," Blacksburg head coach Mickey Moss said. "We have a lot of work to do. Offensively and defensively, we aren't in any kind of rhythm."

Blacksburg (0-3) continued their pattern of slow starts this season and fell behind Indian Land, 16-0. Defense keyed a comeback by the Wildcats to pull within 16-14 with 8:21 left in the third quarter.

Blacksburg defensive end Ryan Green fell on a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. The fumble caused by defensive lineman Marquis Steadman was one of four turnovers by the Blacksburg defense.

Overall, Blacksburg held Indian Land to only 181 yards in total offense and just four yards passing.

Wide receiver Rashad Earls broke several tackles to turn a short pass from quarterback Darrell Walton into a 26-yard touchdown. The score pulled Blacksburg within two points early in the third quarter.

The Blacksburg offense could only manage one first down the rest of the game. The Wildcats finished with five turnovers and had several penalties to halt their momentum in the second half.

"We came out a little sluggish, and we do that every week. It seems like we play better in the second half," Moss said.

"Turnovers have really hurt us in the first three ball games. We just have to keep the prize in sight and continue improving so we can do well in the region."