From The Bleachers 2003: Week Six by Ardent Cougar
Region
III District Standings
Division 4 Region 3, is going to be a tough place to make the playoffs this year. Last week's frustrating loss to Glass leaves PC with the prospect of pretty much having to win out, thereby winning the River Ridge outright, to secure a postseason birth. You have to take things one game at a time, of course. However, it's hard to not try and imagine a scenario where a 7-2 Cougar team travels down to Salem on Nov. 7, to battle an 8-1 Spartan team, for all the marbles. If we can get this kicking game straightened out, a part of the game that has atypically played out negatively in our 2 close losses, we should be in good shape. By the way - I thought that Glass should have just run down the clock, instead of scoring that late TD. Down by 8, and receiving the kickoff, anything could have happened for us. Well, I think this is a very good time to have the off week. We can regroup, and remind ourselves that we still have things in our own hands. If we win 5 games, we make the playoffs as district champions. The losses are behind us. Learn the lessons. Adjust and adapt. Focus. Improve. When we won it all in 1992, we lost a pair in the first 6 games. One of those contests was a shutout loss at home to.... E. C. Glass. If you wish, go out this Friday night, find yourself a game, and just have some fun. Some ideas: Heading over to Pearisburg, to watch Giles host Grayson County. Although I am sure a good number of our fans have seen them once already (against Graham), you might want to visit Northside, to catch the Blacksburg Ind-er-Bruins playing the Vikings. There will be plenty of time for the usual tailgating before the game, yelling and screaming once inside the gates, and fretting as the Cougars are in tough/key spots during the game. This week, just renew yourselves. Fans
need a break too.
.
Going from euphoria one week, having fought back from a halftime deficit to defeat a strong team, to this performance, left fans scratching their heads. Will the real Cougars please stand up? The kicking game was a main culprit, with one extra point being blocked, and a late field goal to take the lead missing the mark. PC had leads of 6-0 and 12-6, but the Hilltoppers took the lead for good late in the 3rd Quarter. After the TD that put the Cougars up by 6 once again, the extra point was missed, but Glass was called for a penalty. Instead of kicking again, Coach Turner decided to go for 2, with the ball being half the way closer to the goal line. The play was stopped, and that missing one point would play a big part in the final score. Very late in the contest, the Cougars were forced to go for it on 4th down deep inside their own territory, and the failed play left Glass in point blank range for another score. Had the game been tied at 13-13, PC could have kicked it away, hoping to hold on defense, and going for overtime. Actually, Glass probably should have just run don the clock instead of scoring, but in the end, and interception after the ensuing kickoff, sealed the deal. Steven Cobbs was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, and was tossed out of the game, with scant seconds remaining. As per the rules, he will have to sit out the Hidden Valley game. Full Story and Interviews (Cougars Come Close, But Fall Short) Cave Spring remains undefeated (Scroll down)
Terriers' Highfill directs own starring role Cave
Spring remains undefeated (Scroll for Hidden Valley-Northside, Blacksburg-Lord
Botetourt)
Please check back later.
Previous 2003 Articles: FTB
Week One - Northside
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