Drifters win Region-A championship

Drifters win Region-A championship


Leonard Banks 28.NOV.07

After Saturday’s historic Drifter 21-12 Region A championship win against the highly rated Surry Cougars [10-2, 6-0], the term “Built Drifter tough” can never be overstated.

After grinding out three touchdowns and overcoming six turnovers against Surry, the Drifters [10-2, 5-0] have won their very first Region-A championship, while competing in the VHSL. Currently, Colonial Beach is the only area football team competing in post-season play.

Throughout the season, Drifter head football coach Jeremy Jack and his assistants have been a constant force of support for the entire Drifter football program.

“We’ve known all year that they had it in them and that they have incredible potential,” Jack said. “Today they showed not only their potential, but the ability they have.”

Given the moral intangibles of fan and family support that featured many fans in attendance and a tailgate party after the game, the Drifters are on a path towards the “Big Dance” at the State championship.

Game results

The Drifters made the most of their opening possession; Brent Steffey culminated a 56-yard, 14-play drive with an eight-yard score. After a T.T. Carey extra-point, the Drifters lead 7-0.

Five-and half minutes later, with seven seconds remaining in the first quarter, Cougar running back, Geoffrey Warren scored from eight yards out to put Surry on the board, 7-6. However, the Cougars’ celebration was silenced when the Drifters defense stopped a Cougar two-point conversion attempt.

Nine plays into the Drifters’ second possession, Cougar linebacker, Trenton Porter intercepted a Drifter pass deep inside Surry territory. The Drifters defense answered the ensuing Cougar drive with a quarterback sack, while limiting their hosts to six yards before forcing them to punt.

After a short six-yard Cougar punt, the Drifters’ ground game went on the attack, as Terry Bushrod completed a 49-yard scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown. After a blocked extra point attempt, the Drifters clung to a 13-6 lead.

Throughout the latter part of the second quarter and all of the third quarter, the game went into a defensive stalemate. Surry finally scored with eight minutes and 45 seconds left in the game. Warren’s 21-yard touchdown closed the Drifter deficit to 1 point - 13-12. After the Cougars’ failed two-point conversion, the fate of Surry would soon be answered with a Chad Inscoe interception that eventually led to Steffey scoring the game’s final touchdown from eight yards out.

“Our defense has really been underscored this year, because our offense has played so well throughout the season,” Jack said. “Today the Drifter defense has proven their metal and certainly deserves any recognition they get.”

Rushing stats: Colonial Beach—Brandon Foster, Jr. 26-110; Terry Bushrod 16-108, TD; Brent Steffey 17-84 2 TDs; Tim Wilson 4-31; Travis Cundiff 2-3. Surry—Geoffrey Warren 18-97.

Next Saturday, the Drifters will travel to play the Buffalo Gap Bisons [12-0, 5-0] for the Group-A State semi-final game, in Swoope, Virginia. The Bisons and Drifters share the same school colors, black and gold.

On Friday, the undefeated Bisons narrowly defeated William Campbell [ranked 37th in state] to win their Regional championship [Region-B], 29-28. Two weeks earlier, during the first round of Regional playoffs, the Bisons easily defeated Jackson, 32-7. The Bisons are currently ranked 69th in the state.

Offensively, the Bisons are a formidable team that has scored 481 points throughout the season. Their feature running back Pickle Nuckols has rushed for 1,846 with 23 touchdowns. Nuckol’s teammate, quarterback Travis Morris has completed 75 passes for 1,135 yards, on 143 attempts.

On defense, the Bisons limited teams to 181 points, while showcasing the talents of lineman, Logan Huff and defensive back, Michael Johnson.

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