Storms collide

RICHLANDS, Va.—Richlands had a two-week layoff since their final game of the regular season and two quarters into the game, the Marion Scarlet Hurricane had the Tornado within four points.

However, the second half was a different story after the Blues scored 24 points unanswered on their way to a 31-10 Region IV, Division 3 semifinal win.

“We had way too many turnovers and missed opportunities in the first half,” Richlands head coach Greg Mance said. “But we came out in the second half and I thought we executed well and I couldn’t be more proud of our football team.

“After being off (for two weeks), it’s hard to get back into the rhythm and we came out and did a good job moving the ball and our defense played extremely well.”

Richlands rolled up 307 yards in total offense, led by Cody Johnson who completed 11-of-16 passes for 174 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 38 yards on seven carries.

“We had them in the first half and took advantage of some situations,” Marion head coach Mike Brisco said. “But they came out in the second half with a kick return and it was a back breaker. We got beat by a very good football team and they’re very well coached.”

The first half resembled the night when the two teams met earlier this season in Marion — a 27-7 Richlands win — with a tight first half and neither team able to get into their scoring rhythm.

The Tornado had a golden opportunity in the first quarter when they drove from midfield into the red zone. However, a fumble in the end zone killed the drive after pushing the line of scrimmage inside the Hurricane 5-yard line.

Richlands took a 7-0 lead on a 48-yard scoring pass to Bradley Strong and an extra point by Reece Strong in the opening quarter.

Later in the first half, the Blues got the ball at their own 7-yard line after a Marion punt midway through the second quarter and an ill-timed pass was picked off by Marion’s Brett Johnson near midfield. Johnson returned the ball to the Tornado 9-yard line before the Hurricane converted the turnover into a 23-yard Ben Ampudia field goal after Richlands’ goal line stand kept Marion from scoring.

The first half came to an end with the Blue Tornado up 7-3.

Richlands had deferred the first-half kickoff giving them the opening possession in the second half. Austin Johnson caught the Marion kickoff at his own 7-yard line and after the Tornado special team set up their blocks, he ran past the Marion pursuit down the left sideline for a 93-yard touchdown.

Reece Strong added the point after to put the Blues on their way to a second-half rout.

The Hurricane briefly came away from their inside running game on their ensuing possession and the Tornado secondary made them pay for it. Albert Fajardo got a bead on the ball when Marion attempted a quick slant and picked off the pass at the Hurricane 34-yard line.

“I saw the ball coming and I knew I had to make a play on it,” Fajardo said. “I just made a break on it and I was glad to help at my team.”

After a short gain by Devon Johnson, Richlands quarterback Cody Johnson dropped back to pass and found Bradley Strong breaking open down the right sideline for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Blues had turned a four-point lead into a 17-point lead two minutes into the second half.

Richlands scored 10 points in the fourth quarter with a 20-yard pass from Cody Johnson to Cody Thomas, and Reece Strong kicked a 24-yard field goal.

Marion scored a final touchdown on the night with Matt Noe hooked up with David Rivero for a 68-yard score in the final minutes of the game.

“We played real well in the second half and the crowd got into the game,” Mance said. “And the kids really responded.”

Bradley Strong caught three passes for Richlands for 81 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tornado receiving corps and Thomas caught two passes for 33 yards with a touchdown.

Devon Johnson had 13 carries for 52 yards leading the Blues ground game, while Marion was led by Eric Bane with 46 yards on eight carries.

The Tornado defense held Marion to just 69 yards on the ground and 102 passing which included a 68-yard score late in the game.

Will Lowe led the Blues defense with seven tackles and two assists and Thomas has six tackles and a pair of assists. Marion’s defensive effort was spearheaded by Brett Johnson with seven stops and four assists and Princeton Graham had six tackles and one assist.

The Tornado had six penalties in the first half for 40 yards, and cut the infractions to just two flags for 20 yards in the second half.

Richlands travels to Roanoke next Friday to take on Cave Spring in the Division 3 championship, hoping for their sixth region title in as many years. Cave Spring defeated Graham 42-0 on Friday night.

“Cave Spring has an outstanding football team and we’re going to have to have a great week of practice,” Mance said. “We need to be quick for four quarters and it should be a good football game.”

At Ernie Hicks/EMATS Stadium

Marion...............................0 3 0 7 — 10

Richlands.........................7 0 14 10 — 31

Scoring summary

First quarter

R— Bradley Strong 48-yard pass from Cody Johnson (Reece Strong kick)

Second quarter

M— Ben Ampudia 23-yard field goal

Third quarter

R— Austin Johnson 93-yard kickoff return (Reece Strong kick)

R— Bradley Strong 26-yard pass from Cody Johnson (Reece Strong kick)

Fourth quarter

R— Cody Thomas 20-yard pass from Cody Johnson (Reece Strong kick)

R— Reece Strong 24-yard FG

M – David Rivero 68 yard pass from Matt Noe (Ben Ampudia kick)

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