Gallery by Greg Barnett
Bluefield – Elijah Redfern had a game to remember Saturday.
Unfortunately he was unable to enjoy it with his teammates.
Redfern, who caught seven passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns, exited Mitchell Stadium in an ambulance in the final seconds of Beckley’s 28-27 victory at Bluefield Saturday afternoon.
At the time of publication there was no update on the status of the senior receiver.
“We’re not sure, we don’t know what happened.” Beckley coach Street Sarrett of Redfern’s condition.
Redfern proved pivotal in a game where the Flying Eagles were forced out of their comfort zone by a stingy Bluefield defense, taking to the air in the second half after facing a 14-0 deficit at the break.
After picking up 77 yards of total offense in the first half, the Flying Eagles threw for 139 in the second half, taking advantage of a Bluefield secondary down two starters.
“I thought we were in better shape and we moved the ball,” Sarrett said. “We seen some things and those guys played tough. Elijah Waller, Elijah Redfern and Devin Richardson and those guys up front giving him some protection. Devin Richardson grew up day. He stayed in the pocket and completed some passes. That’s what I liked about Devin Richardson today.”
For the host Beavers momentum was a friend in the first half but rolled them when they needed it most.
Bluefield took a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard touchdown run from Sencere Fields, capping an 11-play, 70-yard drive.
That was the extent of the offensive highlights from the first 24 minutes with Bluefield’s second score coming on the defensive side with under 10 minutes left in the second quarter. R.J. Hairston strip sacked Beckley QB Devin Richardson and Tyquise Powell picked up the loose ball, rumbling 36 yards to make it 14-0 Bluefield.
With momentum on their side out of the break, the Beavers returned a short kick to the Beckley 26, threatening to go up three scores until they fumbled it away, literally.
A third-and-4 fumble at the Beckley 23 was recovered by the Flying Eagles and though they failed to do anything with the turnover, it signaled a change in the wind.
They followed by blocking a Bluefield punt on the Beavers’ following drive, recovering at the Bluefield 38. Six plays later on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Jacob Reeves put the Flying Eagles on the board, marking the first of four consecutive touchdown drives for the visitors with scoring strikes of 30, 24 and 25 yards all finding the hands of Redfern who caught five passes for 97 yards after the break.
“We knew they were capable (of passing),” Bluefield coach Fred Simon said. “But we didn’t know if they could do it. What we’re short of – hell we’ve got two defensive players out and we started freshmen out there. They struggled a little bit but they battled their guts out.”
Fields added a 65-yard scoring run on which he broke multiple tackles to push the Bluefield lead to 21-7 before Redfern’s trio of scores tilted the advantage Beckley’s way.
With its back against the wall, the Beaver defense picked up a pair of late stops to give the offense a shot and it capitalized on one of those opportunities. With under five minutes to play and Bluefield pinned on its own 11, Fields uncorked an 89-yard touchdown pass to a streaking Hairston who walked into the end zone, making it a 28-27 game.
Then came the decision to tie or take the lead.
Simon elected to go for two but the conversion attempt, a Fields run, came up short of the goal line.
“We felt like momentum had changed,” Simon said. “I felt like if we got it there, we win the game. We didn’t get it but hey, I’d do it again in a minute. I feel like it was the right decision.”
Beckley took over with four minutes to play and burned the clock down to 1:36, turning the ball over on downs at the Bluefield 45 after attempting to ice the game. The Beaver offense struggled again though, picking up one first down before stalling out with 10 seconds remaining.
“They had the momentum,” Sarrett said. “A big play busted right there and we were ready for it. I’m glad we stopped it. It’s a win and we’re 1-0 today.”
Richardson finished 11 of 22 passing for 165 yards and three scores for Beckley (3-1). Elijah Waller hauled in four of those for 53 yards to complement Redfern.
Fields led Bluefield (1-3) with 103 yards and two scores the ground, completing three passes for 120 yards and another touchdown. Hairston led Bluefield with three catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com
Q1
B: Fields 4 rush (Riffe PAT), :58
