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The Parry McCluer High School football team finished the regular season with a 34-14 road win over Pioneer District rival Eastern Montgomery in an action-packed game on Friday night in Ellison.
Following the victory, the Fighting Blues (6-4 overall, 2-2 district) learned they would enter the Region 1C tournament this Friday as the sixth seed and will travel to Wytheville to face third-seeded George Wythe (7-3). Kickoff for the Region 1C quarterfinal matchup is set for 7 p.m.
Last Friday’s offensive spotlight belonged to the Blues. Junior running back Jackson Brockenbrough was a force to be reckoned with, amassing 113 rushing yards on 19 carries and finding the end zone twice. Brockenbrough’s ability to find openings in the opposing defense was pivotal in his scoring touchdowns and securing the win for the Blues.
Brockenbrough opened the scoring with a 10yard TD run in the first quarter, giving Parry Mc-Cluer a 7-0 lead with Aaron Pruett’s successful extra-point kick.
PM head coach Jeremiah Brockenbrough said the team arrived on the field with a chip on their shoulder, following the Blues’ 55-0 home loss a week earlier to Bath County, which was undefeated until a 47-19 loss to Narrows in the Pioneer District championship game on Friday. “We were out to prove some people wrong,” said Coach Brockenbrough.
The Blues’ sophomore quarterback, Nathan Glass, completed 4-of-10 passes for 98 yards and two crucial TDs. His connection with wide receiver JJ Jones in the fourth quarter was particularly noteworthy, as the duo produced a 58-yard touchdown connection. Jones, who rushed for 53 yards on four carries and caught two passes for 68 yards, demonstrated versatility by making key plays on defense as well, grabbing two interceptions.
With that TD pass, Glass broke the single-season school record for passing TDs. Glass completed 15 passing TDs this season. Previously, the record was 14 by Joe Wheeler in the late 1950s.
In the second quarter, PM extended its lead over the Mustangs (3-7, 1-3) to 13-0 as Landon Catlett hauled in a 15-yard pass from Glass. The extrapoint kick attempt failed, leaving the score at 13-0 going into halftime.
Led by performances from Jones and Jacob Shafer, PM’s defense played a critical role in stifling EM’s offense. Shafer’s fumble return for a TD in the third quarter showed the Blues’ ability to capitalize on turnovers.
The PM defense also demonstrated the team’s ability to contain the run game and disrupt the opposing offense’s rhythm. Tackles for loss and forced fumbles were key for the Blues’ defense. Shaiden Ratcliffe led the Blues with 14 tackles, Shafer was credited with 12 tackles, Parker Snider assisted on 11 tackles.
In the third quarter, Jackson Brockenbrough ran for a 15-yard TD, and Pruett’s PAT extended PM’s lead to 21-0.
Shafer then returned a Mustang fumble for a 3-yard TD. The extra-point kick attempt was blocked, but PM led 27-0.
The Mustangs managed to break PM’s defensive stronghold when Xavier Brown scored on a 1-yard rushing TD later in the third quarter. EM’s twopoint conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 27-6.
In the fourth quarter, Glass connected with Jones for a 58-yard TD, and Pruett’s PAT extended PM’s lead to 34-6.
Pruett’s contributions were vital, as he converted 3-of-4 PATs, and he also showcased his versatility by rushing for 57 yards on seven carries.
EM managed to add one more TD when Brown caught a 9-yard pass from Chase Bierman. A twopoint conversion run by Cameron Gray cut PM’s lead to 34-14, concluding the scoring for the night.
Looking ahead to the matchup on Friday with George Wythe, Brockenbrough said the Blues hope to control the clock and focus on putting points on the scoreboard. “We’re prepared to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he said.
