Starmount Defeats Ashe County, Takes Conference Lead

By Joel Frady

Heavy rains on Friday delayed a conference match-up between the Ashe County Huskies and the Starmount

Rams to Saturday. The game had serious implications in the Mountain Valley Conference, as both teams began the game with 3-0 conference marks.

Although the weather in West Jefferson was better on Saturday, the outcome was just as gloomy for the Huskies as Friday's weather. The Huskies forced the Rams into six turnovers but were unable to stop the run, surrendering 315 rushing yards in a 22-13 loss. Rashaun Gaither led the way for Starmount, running for 192 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.

"We had a lot of people that did a lot of good things, but we made enough mistakes that kept us from winning the game," said Ashe County Head Coach Bill Strong. He noted that he was impressed with the six turnovers his team forced, but that they "were not able to capitalize on those turnovers.

"We played hard and we didn't turn the ball over ourselves, which was good," he continued. "But we didn't move the ball well enough at times and didn't stop them when we needed to."

The Huskies were given opportunities by the Starmount offense for most of the first quarter. The Rams lost fumbles on each of their first three drives, but Ashe County was unable to convert the turnovers into points.

The teams were tied at zero entering the second quarter, but the tie would not last. Starmount got the ball on their own 20-yard-line after the Huskies failed to convert on fourth down, and Gaither ran the following play 80 yards for a 7-0 lead.

Two drives later, the Huskies responded with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a one-yard Jeren Holman touchdown run and a 7-7 halftime score.

Starmount quarterback Jake Barr again opened the door for the Huskies by throwing an interception to Grayson Wells on the second play of the third quarter. But the Ram's defense forced a quick three-and-out that was aided by two Ashe County penalties. They then drove 62 yards in seven plays that led to a five-yard Israel Murphy touchdown run.

Another Starmount turnover early in the fourth quarter gave Ashe County the ball at the 35-yard-line, which led to Holman's second one-yard touchdown of the evening. Placekicker Richie Absher was unable to convert the extra point, and 14-13 was as close as the Huskies would come.

The Rams sealed the victory with 1:09 remaining in the game as Gaither ran 10 yards for a touchdown, then successfully ran in the two-point conversion for the 22-13 final.

Strong said that the team was "obviously disappointed," but he noted that his message to the team is to "rebound and work toward this week." The Huskies will travel to Wilkesboro on Friday to face the Wilkes Central Eagles.

"There's plenty to play for," Strong said. "Play for pride. There's still an outside shot for the conference championship, and there's playoff seeding to be taken into consideration." Ashe County has already secured a spot in the 2-A playoffs.

Wilkes Central, who has shared the Mountain Valley conference title the past two seasons, has slumped in 2008. After posting consecutive 5-1 conference records, they are currently 2-2. Whatever their record, Strong said that Ashe County won't take the game lightly.

"They're a very athletic football team, just like Starmount," he said. "They do have some good atheletes."

The Huskies' match-up against Wilkes Central will kick-off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, at Wilkes Central High School, located at 1179 Moravian Falls Road in Wilkesboro. Admission to the game is $5. Anyone who is unable to attend the game can listen to all the action on WKSK 580 AM.

Special thanks to Ronald Ray for keeping statistics for the Ashe County High School football team.