Varsity Football Season Opener

     Friday, August 30, 2013, the Rural Retreat Indians faced off against the Fort Chiswell Pioneers for the regular season football opener. To start the game, the Pioneers kicked off the ball to the Indians. After the first three-and-out of the game, Fort Chiswell scored on a six-yard touchdown rush with around eight minutes left in the first quarter. PAT to boot, and the score is already 7-0, Fort Chiswell. Less than four minutes later, #8 of the Pioneers scored once again, this time for 30 yards (PAT; 14-0). Just minutes later, the away team struck once again, adding a 60 yard rush by the running back (21-0; end 1st quarter).

One minute into quarter 2, Mr. Running Back kept the ball again, adding six points on ten yards (PAT; 28-0). With just enough time for Rural Retreat to make another mistake, #2 of FC completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to #8 over RR cornerback Dustin Stroupe (PAT; 35-0). #15 got tired of his teammates taking the limelight from him, and he scored on a five-yard touchdown, disregarding the defense (PAT; 42-0).

END OF HALF, 42-0

In the first play of the second half, Rural Retreat looked determined to come back.  Too bad for them, FC scored on an 80-yard kickoff return. This would be the last time the away team reached pay dirt, with a lead of 49-0. Late in the 3rd quarter, RR QB Chase Heldreth threw the ball 20+ yards downfield on a fade route to WR Justin Ball, a transfer student from Pulaski (PAT; 49-7). Stiff defenses in the 4th quarter and FC came out seemingly insurmountable. 

     Is Rural Retreat in for a long season? With injury and inexperience plaguing this small-town team, Bland comes next in the schedule. Good luck Indians, and we’re all hoping for a speedy recovery to #44, Jackie Burton.

-Isaiah Addair