The Tigers, who got three first-half touchdown passes from Montgomery to Griffin in the first half, cruised to a 52-7 win over visiting Berea.
Blue Ridge improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Region II-3A with the win, setting up battle of conference unbeatens next week against Greenville at Sirrine Stadium.
“We’ve been working hard at practice, trying to get to 6-0 now,” said senior running back Mikal Robinson, who rushed 10 times for 73 yards and a touchdown and had two catches for 62 yards another score. “We’re just taking it one game at a time – that’s what you’ve got to do. If you focus on another appointment, things may not go too good for you.”
Things have been going just fine for the Tigers, who have scored 193 points over their past three games. The Blue Ridge offense barely missed its third straight game of more than 500 yards in total offense with 478 total yards from scrimmage.
Montgomery led the Tigers offense, completing 17 of 26 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Griffin had five catches for 108 yards. Robinson missed out on a fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance with 73 yards on 10 carries. Backup Melvin Smith led the Tigers on the ground with 81 yards on 13 attempts.
After Griffin and Montgomery connected on touchdowns of 45, 32 and 19 yards, the Tigers defense got the turnovers head coach Wade Cooper had been wanting since the season began with three interceptions and a fumble recovered by Jeremy Wooten in the Berea end zone for a touchdown.
“We really challenged our defense,” said Cooper. “We’d only gotten one turnover each of the last two weeks, so we challenged them to force some more turnovers, and our offense did not turn the ball over, so we’re pleased with our efforts there.”
Andre Williams’ interception at the Berea 24-yard-line set up Robinson’s 4-yard run with 5:49 left in the second quarter. Brandon Bowen and Caleb Lynn also picked off Berea quarterback Tamize Wakefield.
The Blue Ridge defense held Berea to 144 yards in total offense, including just 16 rushing yards.
“Coach said before the game that we weren’t going anything under three turnovers, and that was it,” said linebacker Chris Pittman.
SCORING SUMMARY
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
|
Berea |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
Blue Ridge |
14 |
17 |
21 |
0 |
52 |
FIRST QUARTER
Blue Ridge: Breenan Griffin 45 pass from Ty Montgomery (John Michael Bright kick), 7:54 (7-0)
Blue Ridge: Griffin 32 pass from Montgomery (Bright kick), 5:17 (14-0)
SECOND QUARTER
Berea: Tamize Wakefield 2 run (Edgar Juan kick), 9:38 (14-7)
Blue Ridge: Mikal Robinson 4 run (Bright kick), 5:49 (21-7)
Blue Ridge: Griffin 19 pass from Montgomery (Bright kick), 2:14 (28-7)
Blue Ridge: Bright 21 FG, :17 (31-7)
THIRD QUARTER
Blue Ridge: Robinson 57 pass from Montgomery (Bright kick), 11:24 (38-7)
Blue Ridge: Jeremy Wooten fumble recovered in end zone (Bright kick), 10:38 (45-7)
Blue Ridge: Melvin Smith 8 run (Bright kick), 1:42 (52-7)