Saturday, November 21, 2015

THE WRAP: Hanover Survives Dinwiddie Comeback, Lee-Davis, Atlee Fall Short

Marcus Bazala, called upon again to lead the Hanover offense in the absence of Clayton Cheatham, rushed 35 times for 196 yards and a touchdown, passing for 99 yards and a score, while the Hanover defense held a high-powered Dinwiddie offense to just three points in the first 39 minutes, then registered two huge stops at the one-yard line to run critical time off the clock, stopping the Generals' comeback to hold on for a 23-17 win Friday in the 4A East Region Second Round at Hanover High School.

The Hawks (9-3), held Dinwiddie to 99 first half yards, and led 23-3 with 8:49 left, but the Generals scored back-to-back touchdowns to cut the lead to six. On the second drive, though, after a Bryce Witt completion to Tye Freeland at the Hanover one, the Hawks stopped two Dinwiddie rushing plays, forcing a minute to go off the clock.

Dinwiddie finally scored on a one-yard pass, but with 1:38 to go. Hanover recovered an onside kick and, with the Generals out of timeouts, Hanover didn't need a first down, and ran out the clock.

Hanover next travels to Lake Taylor next weekend in a 4A State Quarterfinal, date and time to be determined.

Meanwhile, a courageous Lee-Davis effort fell just short as the Confederates put a scare into 5A South top seed Highland Springs before falling 41-34 at Kreiter Stadium. Lee-Davis, who lost to Highland Springs 42-0 six weeks earlier, stayed score for score most of the night with the Springers. Lee-Davis ends their renaissance season at 9-3.

Atlee, too, saw its season end as Tuscarora shut down the Raiders offense in the second half, turning a 21-20 halftime deficit into a 42-27 victory in 5A North Region second round play. The Raiders finish their season with a 7-5 record.

NOTE: We will broadcast the Hanover/Lake Taylor game on The Game of The Week on WHAN Radio and online with RVA Sports Network, date and time to be determined.

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