news-record.com

JAMESTOWN — With his team struggling offensively in the first half, Ragsdale coach Tommy Norwood went to the spread formation on Monday. It gave his team the momentum to take control in a 20-13 win over East Forsyth.

"We gave them a little bit different look and we were able to make some plays," Norwood said. "Our kids ended up making just enough plays to win. Sometimes you've got to win ugly."

Leading 3-0 late in the first quarter, Ragsdale (5-1, 2-0) changed its offensive attack and went 65 yards in nine plays for a score. Brandon Walker had a 13-yard pass reception and a 15-yard run to help Ragsdale set the tone and tempo. Marquez Eleazer finished the drive with a 9-yard run, giving Ragsdale a 10-0 lead.

In a game postponed from Friday due to rain, both teams looked sluggish at times and neither found the end zone more than twice. Ragsdale's Brad Davis kicked three field goals for the Tigers.

"In a Monday game, usually one team comes ready and one team just shows up," Norwood said. "Tonight, both teams kind of just showed up."

The Tigers took a 17-3 lead early in the third quarter on pass 19-yard pass from quarterback Garrison Herndon to Anthony Stewart. That score came after the defense had held the Eagles to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half and seemed to indicate the Tigers were ready to take control for good.

"They've played enough together to know what the other is going to do," Norwood said about Herndon and Stewart. "They kind of read each other's eyes right there."

Tigers linebacker Trey Grimes was right in the middle of most tackles and made a huge hit on a short pass that forced East Forsyth to settle for a field goal, cutting the lead to 17-13.

"He's a leader in this school," Norwood said of Grimes. "This whole football teams takes their cues from him."

But the Eagles (4-2, 1-1) got the ball right back with about 4 minutes to play. The Ragsdale defense held, sacking East Forsyth quarterback Garrison Duncan on fourth down. A holding penalty against the Eagles negated a long pass play on the drive.

R—Brad Davis 33 field goal

R—Marquez Eleazer 9 run (Davis kick)

EF—Chad Hollandsworth 19 field goal

R—Anthony Stewart 19 pass from Garrison Herndon (Davis kick)

EF—Amon Giles 34 run (Hollandsworth kick)

EF—Hollandsworth 42 field goal

R—Davis 31 field goal