NCPrivateSchoolSports.com - Hobgood Nips RMA on Last Second Field Goal

October 31, 2009

Mike Williams
NCPrivateSchoolSports.com Assistant Editor

Hobgood Academy's James Thompson nailed a 10 yard field goal on the games's final play as theRaiders took a hard fought 49-46 win over a game and scrappy Rocky Mount squad in the NCISAA 8 man quarterfinals. Thompson's big boot highlighted a Raider fourth quarter as they erased a 13 point RMA lead going into the final period. However the game was a far cry from the schools' first meeting as Hobgood dominated the Eagles 54-20 back on August 28 in the season opener.

RMA received the opening kickoff and drove to the Raider 12 yard line where a botched snap on fourth on a 4th and seven stopped Eagle QB Fred Frohbose turning the ball over to the Raiders. HA QB Hank Edmondson connected with Oasis Bowl selectee Gray Smith for 28 yards but two plays later fullback James Thompson fumbled giving the ball to RMA at their own 48. Freshman tailback Adam Bayless raced for 8 yards and Fletcher Hunter ripped off 13 yards before Bayless found a hole up the middle and raced 35 yards for the games first score at the 4:49 mark. Hobgood then began a drive of their own moving to the RMA 17 before Edmondson lost the ball on a poor exchange with the Eagles taking possession. RMA then moved the ball downfield behind the running of Hunter and Bayless where they faced a fourth and goal at the Hobgood two. The Raider defense made a huge stop holding Bayless just short of the goal line and taking over on downs. However the HA elation was short lived as RMA recovered Hobgood's third fumble of the contest on their first play from scrimmage at the five. Two plays later Frohbose cracked over from the two and RMA led 12-0.

Receiving the ensuing kickoff Hobgood was able to capitalize in just three plays. After an Edmondson incompletion and a nine yard David Barwick run, Edmondson found Smith for 54 yards down the left side for their first score cutting the lead to 12-7. RMA quickly got right back on the scoreboard as they returned a short HA kickoff to midfield and Bayless raced right up the middle on the first play from scrimmage increasing the Eagle lead to 18-7 with 5:29 left in the half. RMA then held the Raiders on downs but a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down gave HA new life at the RMA 39. Barwick gained a yard on a dive play before Edmondson found Thompson in the flat and the senior fullback rumbled 35 yards for the score. RMA then fumbled the ball away on their next possession as Frohbose connected with wide receiver Brice Wordswoth for 17 yards who in turned fumbled at the end of the play with the Raiders Robert Turner returning the errant ball back to the RMA 35. On the next play Barwick swept right and raced 35 yards to paydirt and Thompson's kick gave HA their first lead at 19-18 with 2:15 to play in the half.

But the Eagles showed that they were far from done as they moved the ball 53 yards in seven plays highlighted by Frohbose completitions of 17 nad nine yards to Wordsworth and Bayless. Frohbose scampered the final 10 yards with 24 seconds to go sending the Eagles to the locker room up 26-19 at the half.

The second half saw Hobgood strike first as they took the third period kickoff amd marched downfield 70 yards in six plays culminating in another Hank Edmondson to Gray Smith strike good for 37 yards and a touchdown. Thompson's kick knotted the score at 26 all with 9:57 left in the period. However the Raider lead was short lived as RMA starting from their own 23 following the kickoff scored on their frist play. Adam Bayless swept left and outraced the Raider defenders for 84 yards for his third touchdown of the game. After stopping Hobgood on downs at the RMA 23 the Eagles again mounted a drive aided by a pair of Raider face mask penalties going 77 yards in eight plays with Fletcher getting the final four yards for the score and increasing their lead to 40-26. But Gray Smith, who was outstanding all night both offensively and defensively for the Raiders then returned the ensuing kickoff 73 yards for a touchdown in what may have been the most crucial play of the contest. RMA answered with 1:11 to go in the period as Hunter took a screen pass from Frohbose on 4th and four and raced 50 yards to score with 1:11 to play in the third period giving the Eagles a 46-33 lead at quarter's end. But that would be RMA's last points of the night as the Hobgood defense took over in the final stanza.

Beginning on their own 40 Hobgood moved Smith from wide out to tailback and he carried the ball six straight times gaining 38 yards to move the pigsking to the RMA 21. HA junior running back David Barwick the took over carrying the ball three straight times including a 17 yd scamper for the touchdown.
Afetr holding RMA on downs and taking possession at the Eagle 47, Smith raced 30 yards and Barwick added the final 17 but Thompson missed the PAT kick leaving the score tied at 46 all with 6:52 to play.

Rocky Mount then went three and out and punted the ball to the Raiders. Taking over at their own 37 Barwick carried the ball eight times in the game's final drive picking up 35 yards. However the big play cmae when facing a third and six Edmondson found Smith who made a spectacular leaping catch for 26 yards and a Raider 1st down at the RMA 19 with 2:07 to play. Hobgood was content with keeping the ball on the ground moving to the Eagles two yard line with three seconds left setting up Thompson's game winning field goal.

Hobgood was paced offensively by David Barwick who picked up 164 yards in 26 carries and by Gray Smith who had 142 yards receiving and 96 yards rushing while drwing the attention of the RMA defense all night. Hank Edmondson was 5-11 passing for 180 yards.

Rocky Mount was led by freshman Adam Bayless who had an outstanding 291 yards on 25 carries. Bayless suffered an ankle injury midway the third period and returned later to the game but his effectiveness was somewhat hampered. Fletcher Hunter added 70 yards on the ground while Fred Frohbose wa 5-9 passing for 99 yards. Special mention must be made for the RMA offensive line who opened big holes for their ground game all night.

Hobgood Academy (7-3) now faces the unenviable task of traveling to Fayetteville next Friday night to do battle with two time defending champion Trinity Christian. Rocky Mount Academy finishes their season 4-6 under first year coach Andy Jackson.

SUMMARY

RMA..6-20-20-0-46
HOB..0-19-14-16-49

SCORING

RMA..Bayless 35 yd run (conv fail)?4:49?4:59
RMA..Frohbose 2yd run (conv fail)..6;35..2nd
HOB..Smith 54 yd pass from Edmondsdon (Thompson kick)..5:43 2nd
RMA..Bayless 50 yd run (conv fail)..5:29..2nd
HOB..Thompson 38 yd pass from Edmondson..(conv fail)..2:59 2nd
HOB..Barwick 35 yd run (conv fail)..2:15 2nd
RMA..Frohbose 10 yd run (Bayless pass from Frohbose)..0:24 2nd
HOB..Smith 37 yd pass from Edmondson (Thompson kick)..9:57 3rd
RMA..Bayless 84 yd run (Calloway pass from Frohbose)..9:35..3rd
RMA..Hunter 4 yd run (conv fail)..3:54 3rd
HOB..Smith 73 yd kickoff return (conv fail)..3:42 3rd
RMA..Hunter 50 yd pass from Frohbose (conv fail)..1:11..3rd
HOB..Barwick 3 yd run (Thompson kick)..9:36 4th
HOB..Barwick 17 yd run (conv fail)..6:32 4th
HOB..Thompson 10 yd fg 0.02 4th

RUSHING

RMA
Adam Bayless 25-291, Fred Frohbose 12-37, Fletcher Hunter 12-70,
Colt Brake 1-2.

HOB
Hank Edmondson 2 (-1), David Barwick 26-164, James Thompson 6-33,
Gray Smith 13-96

PASSING

RMA
Fred Frohbose 5-9-99yds

HOB
Hank Edmondson 5-11-180 yds, James Thompson 0-1

RECEIVING

RMA
Brice Wordsworth 2-15, Fletcher Hunter 1-50, Adam Bayless 1-9, Ben Calloway 1-16

HOB
Gray Smith 4-142, James Thompson 1-38

FEATURED PRODUCT