Forced out of it’s run-first mentality Saturday, Beckley took to the air to get its offense going against Bluefield.
To say the Flying Eagles found success might be an understatement as they rallied forma 14-0 halftime deficit to beat the Beavers 28-27.
Wide receiver Elijah Redfern was the star of the show, hauling in seven passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns.
For his efforts, Redfern has been named the Week 4 Lootpress Player of the Week by the Lootpress sportswriters.
The award is sponsored by Little General, The Northside Automotive Group, Dutch Miller Auto and The Law Offices of Brandon Steele. The Kanawha Valley Player of the Week winner will be announced Thursday.
Independence’s Trey Bowers was the winner of the fan vote poll and will advance to the year end Community Choice poll with a chance to win a $500 scholarship.
The performance preceded a frightening incident on the sideline in the final minute of the game where Redfern collapsed, left the stadium in an ambulance and was transported to Roanoke for precautionary measures. Redfern, who has been observing practice the last couple of days, expects to make a full recovery and return this season.
“I don’t feel like it will have any effect on me moving forward,” Redfern said. “I feel like I can use this time to come back healthy and come back 100 percent and be an even better player.”
It’s hard to be much better than Redfern was Saturday.
With Bluefield’s stingy defense dictating the pace of the game, the Flying Eagles tried their luck with their talented QB Devin Richardson along with Redfern and Elijah Waller. The adjustment came when Richardson made a recommendation that got Redfern going.
“Our quarterback had let our head coach know that their corners were playing 8 to 10 yards off,” Redfern said. “Our run game wasn’t as effective as we’re used to it being so we thought that if we tried to exploit them with our passing game we could do it and be successful.”
There were struggles at first as Redfern dropped an open touchdown pass on a first-and-goal situation in the second half but his catch and extension on third down helped set up a 1-yard touchdown run for the Flying Eagles’ first score of the game.
The drop did little to impact Redfern’s confidence.
“I knew that wasn’t going to happen very often,” Redfern said. “Right after that play we went back to that same exact play even though it got blown up. We ended up scoring and we just kept going because we were really confident in that situation.”
Moving forward the Flying Eagles will rest Redfern against Lincoln County this Friday and Preston. The two teams are a combined 2-6 on the season, providing the dynamic senior an opportunity to get healthy for the stretch run.
“I’m definitely going to take this Friday and most likely next week and try to get back for Huntington the week after that.”
Redfern will be honored at the Lootpress Player of the Year banquet in Dec.
2023 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1: Trey Bowers, Independence
Week 2: Brady Green, Shady Spring
Week 3: Marquel Lowe, Princeton
Week 4: Elijah Redfern, Beckley
2023 Community Choice Winners (Will advance to year end poll for $500 scholarship)
Week 1: Jayden Roop, Midland Trail
Week 2: Logan Carver, Montcalm
Week 3: Jaylen Younger, Montcalm
Week 4: Trey Bowers, Independence
