If it could go wrong, it went wrong for Landrum football on Friday night.
Murphy’s Law may sound cliché, but the perfect storm came together on Friday night to hinder Landrum as Christ Church won the II-1A Region Championship 44-0.
Landrum’s (8-2) senior tailback Cole McDowell, who had an ankle injury in Thursday’s practice, didn’t play on Friday and the Cavaliers (9-1) were able to key in on quarterback Brandon Cannon.The two form a dangerous rushing tandem and McDowell’s absence had a painful effect on Friday.
For the Cardinals, it was a hindrance to the ground game, but you mix that in with the rain and you have the perfect storm.
McDowell’s absence hindered the ground attack and the rain hindered the passing attack, opening the door for Landrum’s offense to be held in check for the first time this season.
“The bottom line is they beat us up front,” Landrum coach Russell Mahaffey said. “Their offensive and defensive lines did a great job tonight.”
The Christ Church defense held Cannon to just 32 yards on the ground and 84 yards passing. On the flip side Hunter Townes threw for 155 yards and three touchdowns and Blake Navarro ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
“That was a darn good football team out there tonight,” Cavalier coach Don Frost said, “and we played them pretty good.”
The Cardinals lost two fumbles, had a blocked punt and had a snap sail over Cannon’s head, which resulted in touchdowns.
The primary focus for Mahaffey and the Cardinals next week during practice will be blocking. Mahaffey said he wasn’t sure if they’d get a home playoff game or not, but that they’d “work hard to get better up front” in any case.