The Blacksburg Wildcats played with more intensity in their win against Southside Christian on Friday. The saying that "football is a game of intensity" rang true for the Blacksburg Wildcats this past Friday.

"Our intensity level picked up," Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss said. "I felt real good about the way we played."

And junior running back Lennal Dasher, who rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns, was a big reason for the team's racheted up intensity level. On Thursday, Dasher and defensive lineman Dylan Lowery had their eligibility reinstated by the South Carolina High School League. Dasher returned to Blacksburg after transferring to a school in Georgia last year. The running back had been practicing with the team and participating in the team's offseason weightlifting program.

"He's just a real intense kid," Moss said. "He's a great kid. He has a lot of intensity and works hard."

"He's a natural leader," Moss added. "He does it the right way. He always asks me, 'Coach, you ready?'"

But Dasher wasn't the only standout on Friday.

The Blacksburg defense held Southside Christian to 161 yards in total offense and set up the first touchdown with a fourth down stop at the 21-yard line. Linebacker Brent Bonner had an interception in the end zone late in the fourth quarter to end another scoring threat.

"I'm real pleased. It's nice to see our kids have a little success," Moss said. "We had a lot of players who played both ways tonight. We were pleased with their effort."

With starter Joseph Upchurch sidelined with a 1-game expulsion for coming to an aid of a teammate against Walhalla, ninth grade quarterback Treyvon Parker played like a seasoned veteran.

Parker threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Bonner with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter. Tight end Ryan Greene caught Parker's 2- point conversion pass for the game's final points.

"(Parker) is going to be real special down the road," Moss said.

Although Upchurch is back from suspension this week, Moss wouldn't tip his hand on Friday's likely starter.

Players who were stricken with flu-like symptoms are getting back to full strength, the coach said.

"Everyday we're getting better," he said.