Friday, November 23, 2012
- by B.B. Branton
LEBANON - Friendship Christian quarterback A.J. Long threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the host Commanders defeated Boyd-Buchanan, 27-6, in a TSSAA 2A football semifinal game Friday night.
Playing before a standing room only crowd, the defending state champions (12-1) scored on their first possession to lead 7-0 as Long connected with Stefan Remus for an 8-yard scoring play to cap a 10-play, 80 yard drive as Blake Grosch connected on three of four extra points.
The Bucs (12-2) answered on their first possession as junior quarterback Jim Cardwell orchestrated a 12-play, 67 yard drive, capped by Rance Harden's 3-yard run to the end zone, but the extra point attempt was blocked.
FC scored twice in the second quarter to lead 20-6 at halftime.
The Commanders moved 68 yards in 11 plays as Long scored from the one, followed by a 54-yard scoring drive in the final minute of the half.
"Having them score at the end of the half to lead by 13 really hurt us," said Boyd Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds
"And on top of that Jim Cardwell hurt his ankle on that drive."
Cardwell was not able to play safety in the second half and due to the ankle injury, was not able to run and was limited to passing from the pocket.
"The only touchdown Friendship Christian scored in the second half was a long pass down the middle over our backup safety," Reynolds stated.
"Even though Jim was injured and not able to run, I was not going to take him out of thee game. He was a real trooper and played as hard as he could in the second half."
Long's final score was a 30-yard TD toss to Cale Mitchell at 1:08 of the third quarter.
"The quarterback (Long) and running back (Steven Hollis) led an effective offense and they are a very physical team." Reynolds said.
State Finals: Dec. 1 at Tennessee Tech . Friendship Christian vs. Adamsville
Boyd Buchanan 6 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 6
Friendship Christian 7 - 13 - 7 - 0 -- 27
Rushing: BBS - Rance Harden (20-76, 1TD), Jim Cardwell (8-57)
FC - Steve Hollis (17-183)
Passing: BBS - Jim Cardwell (8-14-1, 54)
FC - A.J. Long (8-10-0, 138 yds, 2 TDs)
First Downs: FC, 13-10
Rushing: FC,254-169
Passing: FC, 138-54
Fumbles Lost: FC (4-1), BBS (2-1)
Records: FC (12-1) BBS 12-2)
FC - Stefan Remus 8 yard pass from A.J. Long (Blake Grosch kick),7-0 ... 1st Q
BBS - Rance Harden 3 run (kick blocked), 7-6 ... 1st Q
FC - Long 1 run (Grosch kick), 13-6 ... 2nd Q
FC - Long 1 run (kick blocked), 20-6 ... 2nd Q
FC - Cale Mitchell 30 pass from Long (Grosch kick), 27-6 ... 3rd Q
contact B.B. Branton at William.branton@comcast.net