Botetourt Escapes Fleming in 20-18 Squeeker

Lord Botetourt came into the game undefeated, while the hosts from William Fleming had lost five straight after two opening wins. Despite both teams  each scoring three touchdowns, only Botetourt was able to capitalize with the only conversion among the six tries as the Cavaliers escaped with the 20-18 win.

Botetourt looked as if it was ready to continue the stellar play that had carried it to the overtime win over Northside on the prior Friday night.

After Fleming received the opening kickoff and went three-and-out, Botetourt went to its signature ground game from their own 33. Running back Chris Thompson and quarterback Nick Webb mixed up 13 straight rushing plays with Webb scoring from 9-yards out to open the scoring. Webb tacked on the two-point conversion to put the Cavs up 8-0.

Fleming wasted no time getting on the scoreboard when Colonel running back Jerome Hill made himself at home in the Botetourt defensive secondary, reeling off a pair of long runs before scoring on fourth down on a four-yard burst. The missed PAT kick left the Colonels trailing 8-6. The score stood as the teams went to the second half.

Thompson put the Cavs up 14-6 midway through the third on a 1-yard plunge and a failed 2-point conversion. Fleming responded on a 5-yard scoring toss from sophomore quarterback Tyrell Adams to junior wide receiver Warren Craft early in the fourth quarter. Again, the 2-point conversion failed.

Botetourt went up 20-12 on a 20-yard Thompson TD run and missed conversion kick before Hill scored his second touchdown of the game on a 16-yard run midway through the fourth. The potential game tying 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Colonels two points short that remained until the final horn.

Thompson finished with 231 rushing yards for Botetourt, with Webb adding 107. Hill ground out 208 yards to lead the Colonels.