Mickey Moss With time running out, Blacksburg running back Chase Hames leapt high above three defenders to catch a jamboree-tying touchdown pass from Blake Tharpe.

The sensational catch resulted in a 14-14 tie with Hillcrest Saturday at the Furman FCA jamboree. Instead of kicking the extra point, Blacksburg decided to try out a new two point conversion play and were stopped by Hillcrest.

Hames opened the game with a 76-yard run to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Raymond Ellis. Tharpe connected with tight end Ryan Greene on a two point conversion to give the Wildcats an early 8-0 lead.

Trailing 14-8 late in the contest, the Blacksburg offense drove the length of the field to score on Hames’ touchdown catch.

Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss was pleased with his team’s effort, especially the late touchdown drive.

“I was real proud of our kids. We only dressed 25 players while Hillcrest dressed about 65 players,” Moss said. “We fought and scrapped hard all night. As a coach, I was really proud of our team’s effort on the last drive. Chase made a heckuva catch in the corner of the end zone to score.”

Blacksburg was missing several players against Hillcrest. Quarterback Treyvon Parker had a family wedding while defensive back Nick Hames was involved in an all-star baseball game.

Blacksburg High is expected to be back at full-strength Friday when it hosts the Iron City Jamboree at 6 p.m. at T.A. Campbell Stadium. Admission is $6.

North Carolina powerhouses A.L. Brown and King Mountain will be joined by Blacksburg, Chesnee, Landrum, Broome, Southside Christian and McCormick.

North Carolina running back commit Travis Riley is among the top players for A.L. Brown. Riley rushed for 1,923 yards and scored 32 touchdowns to help A.L. Brown advance to the third round of the playoffs.

A.L. Brown will play Chesnee in the first half of the jamboree. Landrum and Southside Christian will play the second half in an early look at two Blacksburg regular season opponents.

Broome and Kings Mountain will play the third half. Blacksburg faces McCormick in the evening’s final contest.

“We have a lot of good teams coming to play in our jamboree in Blacksburg. A.L. Brown and Kings Mountain are two powerhouse teams from North Carolina who agreed to travel,” Moss said. “The jamboree seems to get better every year. Our players will have played three times under the lights in a game type situation before the season opener.”

Blacksburg heads to a Lexington County jamboree Aug. 20. The regular season starts Aug. 27 with a home opener against McBee.