Roberson executes perfectly, eliminates South Point

BELMONT - After eliminating the state’s highest-scoring playoff team through two rounds, Roberson High football coach Mike Beatty said his defensive strategy wasn’t complicated in the Rams’ 37-13 victory over South Point in Friday’s third round.

“We knew we had to play assignment football,” Beatty said of defending South Point’s vaunted ‘Red Bone’ offense that had scored 125 points in its opening two playoff wins. “The people they had played were undisciplined on defense. We knew we had to be disciplined. People had to play the dive. People had to play the quarterback. People had to play the pitch. And they had to do it all night long.”

Roberson did just that Friday, holding the Red Raiders to 242 yards total offense - or 185 yards below their seasonal average - and forcing South Point into a season-high five turnovers. The combination advanced the Rams (13-1) into next week’s Western N.C. Class 3AA finals against Charlotte Catholic (12-2).

“Let’s give credit to T.C. Roberson,” said South Point coach John Devine, whose team finished its Big South 3A/4A Conference championship season with a 12-2 record. “They had a great plan and they executed it well. A lot of the mistakes we made were because of their game plan.”

The game started like many South Point games this season, as the Red Raiders clicked off one first down after another, racking up seven first downs by the time they scored the game’s first touchdown with 9:24 to play in the opening half.

But a blocked extra point following the score seemed to set the tone for the rest of the night for the Red Raiders. Later, turnovers and other mistakes followed.

Even when South Point seemed to have a chance to create positive momentum for itself, fate dealt South Point a cruel blow. For instance, early in the second half, a Red Raiders’ defender had a clear shot at a fumble and potential touchdown return. Yet, when the defender reached to pick up the football, one of his feet kicked the ball out of bounds, allowing Roberson to maintain possesion.

“It just didn’t go our way tonight,” Devine said.

In the end, Roberson quarterback Tripp Weaver and running back Justin Wynn converted when they had to, and the Rams’ ballhawking defense simply frustrated the Red Raiders.

Weaver completed 10 of 14 passes for 155 yards and four touchdowns and directed a 268-yard offense. Wynn had 104 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.

Weaver’s biggest throw came as the first half was winding down and Roberson resorted to a trick play that helped Asheville beat Western Alamance to win a state title in 2005.

After taking possession with 51.5 seconds left, the Rams appeared ready to let the clock run out after a fullback dive play picked up a single yard. But then Roberson receiver Artis Gilmore broke the Rams’ huddle early, lined up on the far right sideline and was uncovered down the sideline. Then Gilmore, who had four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, caught a pass from Weaver inside the South Point 20, broke away from a facemasking tackle inside the 10 and scored to complete a 52-yard scoring play.

South Point coaches later complained vehemently that the play was illegal, but to no avail.

“We took it from Asheville and it broke a big play there for us,” Beatty said.

Roberson’s defensive effort was led by senior defensive back Josh Gossett, who had nine solo or first-hit tackles and two fumble recoveries.

South Point was led by Brandon Spencer’s 11 tackles and Desmond Lowery’s 46 yards rushing and 61 yards passing. Chris Lane and Aaron Crumbley scored the Red Raiders’ touchdowns.

TCR 0 14 14 9 - 37

SP 0 6 7 0 - 13

Second quarter

SP - Chris Lane 7 run (Kick blocked), 9:24

TCR - Artis Gilmore 24 pass from Tripp Weaver (Walker Smith kick), 7:09

TCR - Gilmore 52 pass from Weaver (Smith kick), :06

Third quarter

TCR - Chris Morgan 31 pass from Weaver (Smith kick), 7:43

TCR - Justin Wynn 13 run (Smith kick), 5:15

SP - Aaron Crumbley 1 run (James Justice kick), 3:18

Fourth quarter

TCR - Smith 28 FG, 9:27

TCR - Chandler Wrightenberry 7 pass from Weaver (Kick failed), 2:50