Landon blanked Woodberry for three quarters Friday afternoon, but the Tigers owned the fourth and that was enough.
Woodberry scored twice and went for two with under three minutes to play to pull out a 15-14 win, the Tigers third in a row.
Down 14-0 with six minutes left in the game, Heys McMath got the rally going with a 15-yard touchdown toss to C.J. Prosise and in turn the Tigers’ defense came up with a three and out stop. Woodberry’s offense fumbled on the ensuing possession, but the Tigers’ defense — which has been one of the area’s best this year — again halted Landon on a three and out.
That’s when Carlson Milikin, as he did against Fork Union two weeks ago, turned the tide for the Tigers. Milikin ripped off a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown to pull Woodberry within a point.
True to the old adage of “when you’re on the road, go for two and the win” Woodberry coach Clint Alexander called for a two-point conversion. Heys McMath punched it in for the lead, giving Landon the ball back with two minutes and 39 seconds on the clock.
Prosise came up with another huge play, intercepting a ball down the left sideline to give Woodberry’s offense a chance to run out the clock.
The Tigers did just that, gaining a first down to run out the clock and finish off Landon.
Woodberry’s offense wasn’t particularly explosive against Landon, finishing with just 175 total yards, but the Woodberry defense held Landon to 222 yards in the defensive struggle.
Jeff Smith’s 24 yards led Woodberry’s rushing game with Hunter Faulconer’s 23 close behind. Reid Swearingen had 42 yards on two catches in the passing game. At quarterback, McMath was 12-for-22 for 86 yards.
