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Tyler Consolidated Runs by Magnolia

Opening drive sets the tone for Silver Knights

Tyler Consolidated’s Tyler Anderson battles for yardage Friday night against Magnolia. Photo by Robby Parsons

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Tyler Consolidated could not have asked for a better opening drive and it set the tone of the game. After forcing Magnolia to a three-and-out, the Silver Knights started at 1-yard line. With solid blocking up front and the dynamic duo of Jace Reed and Tyler Anderson in the backfield, Coach Ryan Walton’s club went down the field on a 16-play, 99-yard drive that burned more than six minutes in a 20-7 victory against Magnolia on Alumni Field at Bill Stewart Memorial Stadium on Friday Night.

The drive was capped off on a fourth-down conversion as sophomore quarterback Griffin Phillips found Anderson wide open in the end zone for a 29-yard connection with 3:09 left in the first.

“They pinned us down on our own 1-yard line and we put it on our offensive line and our running backs,” Walton said.

“That kind of set the tone for the game offensively for us. That was huge … a huge 99-yard drive. To my knowledge, I don’t know if we’ve ever done that. But the kids came out and stayed focused.”

Along with his touchdown catch, Anderson led the way on the ground as he compiled 140 yards on 22 carries, while Reed contributed with 115 on 30 attempts and a score.

“Those guys spend the whole offseason working out and I think they’ve played all four years,” Walton said. “Both of them blocking for each other and running for each other. They did a good job and look out for each other. But it was huge for the offensive line and they pride themselves on that. They congratulate the offensive line and its exciting for both of them.”

With eyes locked on that duo, Phillips made some key first-down runs to keep some drives alive as he accounted for 38 yards on five carries. With 1:19 left in the second quarter, Phillips found the end zone from 9 yards out to make it 12-0.

Magnolia was able to respond on its next possession, after a scare and a true showing of toughness and inspiration. On the ensuing kickoff, Chase Street fielded a kick and was tackled. The senior was on the ground for quite a bit of time. The ambulance eventually made its way to the field, but Street would not have any of it as he got up and walked to the sideline on his own power. It certainly sparked some motivation for the Blue Eagles offense.

After two runs of more than 10 yards by Nick Priem, he found Brooks Parsons for a 37-yard connection. Priem capped it off with a 3-yard run to put the score at 12-7.

“He came in the locker room at halftime. He took a knee to the lower back. He laid there for a while … I was concerned,” Blue Eagles (1-8) coach Dave Chapman said. “Chase didn’t want the ambulance to take him off. He didn’t want to get on the stretcher. I’ve been coaching for a long time … it’s been a while since I’ve seen that. Chase said he wanted to get up and walk off the field. That just tells you what kind of a kid he is. I’ve just never seen anything more inspiring than that. Toughness.. That’s Chase, though.”

Street even played for a couple plays in the third quarter including carrying the ball once and making a block to give Priem time to throw the ball down field for a long completion.

However, Tyler Consolidated’s defense stepped up when it mattered most and recovered a fumble. It was not the only time that the Silver Knights defense forced a turnvover in the red zone.

Reed made it a two-possession game as he ran in from 5 yards out to make it 20-7.

Trenton Smith caught two passes for 31 yards to lead the receiving core for the Silver Knights (5-3).

For the Blue Eagles, Parsons hauled in five receptions for 134 yards while Priem went 8 of 15 for 174 yards and three interceptions.

“Offensively we squandered opportunities in the red zone,” Chapman said. “I’ll take responsibility for that, but we have to convert. We just didn’t do that, but I tip my hat to Tyler, they came in and played with a lot of energy.”

Tyler Consolidated 20, Magnolia 7

Tyler Consolidated     6  6  8  0 — 20

Magnolia     0  7  0  0   — 7

T — Anderson 29 pass from Phillips (pass failed), 3:02

T — Phillips 9 run (pass failed), 1:19

M — Priem 3 run (Mirandy kick), :07

T — Reed 5 run (Reed run), 7:02

Rushing: Tyler Consolidated 57-293 (Anderson 22-140, Reed 30-115-td, Phillips 5-38-td). Magnolia 18-62-td (Street 9-17, Priem 9-45).

Passing: Tyler Consolidated 3-7-60-td (all by Phillips). Magnolia 8-15-174-3x (all by Priem).

Receiving: Tyler Consolidated 3-60-td (Smith 2-31, Anderson 1-29-td). Magnolia 8-170 (Parsons 5-134, Herrick 2-32, Halahingano 1-8).

First Downs: Tyler Consolidated 19, Magnolia 10.

Penalties: Tyler Consolidated 3-15, Magnolia 3-25.

Fumbles: Tyler Consolidated 3-1, Magnolia 2-1.

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