The Jug is staying in Blue Ridge.
With a convincing 48-24 win over rival Travelers Rest, the Tigers (5-3 overall, 2-2 region) won the Foothills Feud for the second time in as many years, keeping the coveted Foothills Jug trophy in the Ridge.
“This game has so much wrapped into it,” said Blue Ridge head coach John Boggs. “And you can see how much it means to this community, how much it means to our players. Even just looking around after the game, look at the smiles on these kids faces. It’s amazing.”
Blue Ridge got out to a fast start, forcing two first-quarter turnovers to take a quick 21-0 lead after the first frame. Travelers Rest tried to make a game of it by cutting the Tiger lead to 21-10 at the half, but a dominant third quarter put Blue Ridge in the driver's seat to cruise to a win.
The rushing attack was the biggest story of the night for the Tigers, as running back Jakorey Dodd, quarterback Gavin Forrester, and running back Brylon McCoy each rushed for two touchdowns.
Sophomore Cooper Smith rushed for his first-career score in the fourth quarter to cap off the Tigers’ scoring.
“We’re playing together this year as a team,” said McCoy. “When you’re not doing that, that’s when you lose games. We’ve had a lot of success this year and that’s because of how together we’ve been playing.”
“I’m newer to the team, but even when I got here, I could tell these guys love playing for one another,” said Smith. “That’s one of the things that stood out.”
Blue Ridge will welcome powerhouse Daniel to the Ridge next week, but no matter the result of that game, the Tigers are primed to secure their most successful season in years.
The five wins Blue Ridge has racked up so far ties its most in the last decade.
“I really believe what is carrying us this season is the fact that this team loves one another,” said Boggs. “This group loves and cares about each other, they love practicing together and working together, and it truly means something to them.
“It’s a collective love they have for one another as a family. It’s never just a matter of winning a football game to them. They really support each other, and that’s helping us be successful.”
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