RUSSELL JACOWAY STADIUM — “Right Pistol Slam Right!”

With quick precision Cedar Bluff coach Jonathan McWhorter's words were signaled to the field and translated to the already-set Tiger offense. An instant later, Junior D'Shawn Fife darted 11 yards through a wide gap on the right side of the line.

Again, “Right Pistol Slam Right!”

Fourteen more yards for Fife.

Anticipation rose in the stadium like mercury in a hot thermometer. McWhorter peered up at the scoreboard. It read 28-28. Just over seven minutes remained in the game.
McWhorter mouthed the same play, “Right Pistol Slam Right!”

Again the line opened. Fife slipped through for 12 more yards.

Undefeated, and previously unchallenged, Cedar Bluff was only 11 yards away from the go-ahead score against their cross-county foe, Sand Rock.

The play choice seemed obvious. McWhorter again barked, “Right Pistol Slam Right!”
Fife was stopped after a gain of one.

“Right Pistol Slam Right!” McWhorter quickly insisted again.

Fife fell prey to Wildcat defenders, losing two yards.

“They're bringing the safety up!” shouted a Cedar Bluff assistant coach.

McWhorter called a time out to think things over.

Averaging almost 50 points per game, Cedar Bluff's offense usually got its way. This night on the mountain would be different. Legendary Wildcat coach Russell Jacoway's four-man front had held the Tiger juggernaut to only 66 yards rushing for the first three quarters, forcing four turnovers in the process.

The only successful part of Cedar Bluff offense was the aerial attack. Senior Levi Mintz had already passed for nearly 300 yards, connecting with his primary target, DeAngelo Hardy, for 139. Despite the drive's ground gains, McWhorter would ultimately rely upon the pass.

After the timeout, Mintz tossed a quick strike in the right flat to senior receiver Rickey Pendley, gaining four yards. Cedar Bluff faced a fourth-and-5 at the Sand Rock 7-yard line.

“Kick it,” someone instantly suggested on the Tiger sideline. From the 7-yard line, an attempted field goal was just four yards longer than an extra point. Senior kicker Curtis Abernathy had been perfect up to that point. McWhorter pondered.

Then someone on the field caught his attention. It was Mintz, signaling to his coach. Right hand facing down and left hand facing up, Mintz quickly brought his hands together.

McWhorter understood and agreed. “Right Jack Gator!” he shouted. Mintz saw and relayed the call to the team. On the snap, Mintz immediately looked for Hardy to his left.

The quarterback lofted the ball deep into the corner. It would be Cedar Bluff's last and most dramatic pass of the regular season. Hardy's long legs created space quickly. The pigskin fell from the sky. Soon raucous cheers erupted from the Tiger sidelines and stands. Hardy's 7-yard touchdown put the Tigers ahead for good. Ominously, Abernathy missed his first point-after of the night.

Sand Rock would not go down without a fight. Behind big gains by senior back Skyler Williams, the Wildcats pushed down to the Cedar Bluff 6-yard line with 1:04 remaining. The Tiger defense then stiffened.

Senior lineman Nick Combs stuffed Williams for a 4-yard loss on second down. On the next play, senior backer Shane Hall and Hardy combined to sack Wildcat quarterback Dylan Mackey at the 15. Mackey's fourth-down pass to the left corner floated harmlessly past coverage to end Wildcat hopes.

Mintz knelt on the ball twice, running out the clock to secure the 34-28 victory.

Sand Rock's scores had come from runs by junior Chandler Mackey and Williams. Junior Ethan Jimmerson and senior Stethan Chandler added touchdown receptions.

Besides his winning score, Hardy collected two other touchdown receptions. Sophomore Devante Dixon hauled in the other two Tiger scoring passes.