It was a physical battle in Roan Mountain Friday night, but Cloudland came up painstakingly short.
The ‘Landers saw a potential game-winning drive come up seven yards short as CHS fell 28-22 to West Greene at Orr Field in non-conference action.
Cloudland moves to 1-1 on the season.
The ‘Landers set the tone on the game’s opening drive.
Cloudland took the opening kick and used five plays to cover 80 yards – including a five-yard score from Kyle Birchfield.
West Greene, however, answered with a quick drive of their own that ended when Austin Franklin scored on an 11-yard run.
Kingston Cole set Cloudland up with great field position after a 68-yard return on the ensuing kick and it took three plays before Birchfield found the endzone for the second time on the night.
Cloudland added the two-point conversion to take a 14-6 lead into the second quarter.
The ‘Lander defense came up big early in the second as they recovered a Buffalo fumble at the one, but West Greene forced a safety.
The Buffaloes took the lead on the next drive with a five-yard touchdown from Ean Kieffer. Neither team was able to get anything going the rest of the half as West Greene held a 15-14 halftime lead.
West Greene stuck quickly in the third with a Maddox Garber touchdown, but Cloudland countered once again as a nine-play drive that went 70 yards ended with a Birchfield touchdown to tie things up at 22-22.
The teams traded possessions for the rest of the third as ball control became an issue for both squads.
In the fourth quarter, Dawson Daniels broke the stalemate with a 65-yard touchdown with 3:33 left to play.
Cloudland, however, didn’t go quietly as the offensive attack quickly moved into West Greene territory.
CHS was stopped on fourth down with 4.2 seconds left at the WG 7 as the rally came up just short.
Birchfield had 182 yards on 36 carries, while Bryce Birchfield added 30 yards on the ground. Cam Peppers, K. Cole, and Grayson Cole added 22, 21, and 19 rushing yards, respectively.
West Greene was led by Wyatt Moody’s 90 yards on eight carries, while Daniels finished with 72 yards on eight carries.
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