Highland Springs led 20-14 at the half but it could have easily been more. The Patriots offense had been shutout to this point as the two Patriot scores had come from special teams and defense. The Springer defense was holding their own against a talented group of Patriots.

That was until the beginning of the second half. The Patriots marched down the field 63 yards in a matter of 7 plays with QB Jordan Allen scoring from 33 yards out on he keeper. That offensive shutout the Springers had been pitching was over and the Springers saw themselves down by one.

The Springers responded by scoring on 3 of their next 4 possessions with big plays. On two of the last three TD's the Springers scoring drives were extend by converting third and fourth downs.

The Patriots in the second half were battling not just the Springers but it appeared to be cramping and injuries, Repeatedly QB Jordan Allen had to come out of the game and there were other Patriots who came off the field with cramps. Temperature wise it was not a bad night as far as heat but there was a muggy, tropical feel in the air.

None of the Patriots going down was as concerning as when Camden Byrd who had scored a pick six earlier in the game, left on a stretcher. A somber moment for all those in attendance, we only hope and pray it is nothing too serious. The senior receiver/linebacker is committed to Old Dominion.

As the end drew near the Patriots scored when Jordan Allen and Jayden Mines hooked up for a 29-yard pass but by then the game was no longer in doubt. The Springers big plays set up short scores which equaled another Springer win.

The first quarter of play saw both defenses the early story.

Patrick Henry held the Patriots to a 3 & out on their first possession of the night while the Springer defense only allowed the Patriots a 4-play, 18 yard drive.

Penalties hurt the Patriots often in the first half, evident in the first quarter where the Patriots second drive of the game was stymied by two false start calls.

Quanye Veney was the Springer to provide the spark with a huge return that setup the Springers near the goal line. On third & goal from the two QB Jakyre Henley scored to give the Springers their first lead of the night.

In the blink of an eye the Patriots answered right back with JMU-bound Jayden Mines busting off a 79-yard return of his own to the roar of the sidelines and the home crowd.

The PAT failed so as the curtain closed on the first quarter, the Springers still had a lead, 7-6.

The Springers special teams were on point in this contest as they again fueled another big return to put the Springers in position to score. On second down a bad snap put Jakyre Henley in the position of chasing the ball down and then racing along his own sideline to only lose one yard. The Springers bounced back with a pass to Quanye Veney who would come through time and time again on this night so it would only be fitting that Veney be the one to carry it in from six yards out.

The Springers led 13-6 after a failed PAT. Patrick Henry nearly answered the latest Springer score but fell short of that. The Springers put together a 63-yard, 11 play drive that saw the Patriots get as close as the Springer 13. On 4th & 8, Latrell Suttton came through on defense to wrap up Camden Byrd for a loss of 4 at the 17.

Ironically enough Camden Byrd would strike back when he would intercept a Springer pass on a bat down and return it 18 yards for a touchdown. With a 2-point conversion the Patriots were in the lead for the first time, 14-13

And the first half chess match continued, this time with the Springers striking with a 5-play, 54 yard scoring drive that nearly did not happen. After Quanye Veney gobbled up 19 yards on the first play the Springers passing game was on their way to striking out with 3 straight incomplete passes. On 4th & 10 at the Patriot 35, Khristian Martin hit Latrell Sutton right up the middle for a 35-yard touchdown.

Just like that the Springers were back on top, 20-14 and that is how it stood at the half.

The Patriots first possession of the second half saw them move the ball 83 yards in 8 plays, dominated by the play of QB Jordan Allen. Allen accounted for 66 of the 83 yards on this drive, all on the ground! The final 33 yards of this drive saw Allen end the offensive shutout of Highland Springs as he took it to the house.

Highland Springs with Jakyre Henley under center hit Quanye Veney with a 22-yard shot down to the 11 and that was followed by a 6-yard run from Henley and a 5-yard from Takye Heath that once again, answered the challenge of the Patriots.

Highland Springs led 27-21 as the Patriot offense took the field and in the blink of an eye the Patriot offense was off the field, forced to a 3 & out by the Springer defense led by Mario Harris who keyed in on containing Jayden Mines.

Despite the fact that a Quanye Veney punt return gave the Springers great field position, the Springers found themselves facing 4th & 7 at the 27. Takye Heath came through on a fourth down catch for a gain of 11 and much needed first down. Two plays later Michael Hodge was busting through the Patriot defense with authority for a 13- yard touchdown. The Springer lead growing to 34-21 following the PAT.

The game took a more subdued tone in the fourth quarter.

The Springer defense held the Patriots to another 3 & out. The Patriots defense holding their own had Highland Springs facing a 2nd & 17 on the ensuing play Old Dominion-bound linebacker Camden Byrd went down. I could not tell how the injury occurred but a somber moment for those in attendance to see this young man leave the game on a stretcher.

Following this unfortunate moment in the game, the two teams exchanged 3 & outs before the Springer offense would get back on track with a 58-yard scoring drive. Quanye Veney on the receiving end of a pass picked up 16 yards for the first and the Springers stuck to the ground game the rest of the way with Marcel Fleming punching it in from 7 yards out... the lead now 41-21 in favor of the Springers.

Patrick Henry answered the Springer score with one of their own despite the fact that time was running out for any sort of comeback. The Patriots at their own 34 went 66 yards in a matter of 7 plays with Jayden Mines on the receiving end of a 29-yard shot from Jordan Allen. With the PAT good the Patriots trimmed the lead to a more respectable 13 points.

Patrick Henry did attempt an onside kick for which Highland Springs would recover and a few plays later this one was over.

Highland Springs improves to 4-2 and will be on the road next week at Hanover. Patrick Henry falls to 4-2 and will be at home next week when Armstrong comes to town.

Khristian Martin of Highland Springs - 7 of 16 for 92 yards and a TD.

Quanye Veney of Highland Springs - 7 for 89 and a TD.

Jordan Allen of Patrick Henry - 22 for 126 and a TD rushing.

Jayden Mines of Patrick Henry - 6 for 71 and a TD plus a 79-yard kick-off return for TD.

28 points from Patrick Henry was the most for the Patriots since 2001 when they scored 34 on the Springers.

The Springers have won 4 straight in Ashland for the first time since winning 6 straight in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981 and 1984.

This was the closest game in the series since the Springers lost 22-23 in 2002 Division 5 Central Region playoffs.