Alexander Central 27 Ashe County 18
West Jefferson: Alexander Central overcame something of a sluggish performance but had enough in the tank to beat Ashe County Friday night and wrap up the Northwestern Conference runner-up spot.
The Cougars took a 7-0 lead with 4:21 remaining in the opening quarter when fullback Sawyer Chapman Mays scored on a two-yard run. Cory Mays added the P.A.T.
Ashe County went 79 yards in 14 plays capped by a Byrce Peters to Ian Graybeal 8 yard scoring toss. The Huskies failed on a two-point conversion with 9:13 left in the first half.
The visiting Cougars answered with 7:02 remaining in the half when Wade Queen hit a wide open Garison Millsaps from 31 yards. AC led 14-6 after an Elijah Bolick kick.
Ashe would draw within two late in the third quarter on a Peters to Graybeal 15-yard pass. Again the home team failed to convert and the score was Alexander Central 14-Ashe County 12.
The Blue and Gold would score twice in the 4th quarter. QB Wade Queen scampered in from 40 yards at the 6:13 mark to put ACHS ahead 21-12. Aidan Baity’s second interception of the night set-up a Cougar drive. 53 yards and 10 plays later, Maurice Howell ran-in from two yards to make the score 27-12 in favor of the visitors.
Ashe County put another touchdown on the board with 2 seconds remaining when Peters hit Cole Travis from 26 yards.
Alexander Central out gained Ashe County 280 to 273.
Alexander Central
Sawyer Chapman Mays 21-73 yards and a TD
Wade Queen 3-7 passing for 97 yards and a TD. He added a rushing score
Garison Millsaps 2 catches for 54 yards and a TD
Aidan Baity 7 tackles and 2 interceptions
Carter Austin 7 tackles
Ashe County
Bryce Peters 27-41 passing for 264 yards 2 TD, 3 interceptions
Ian Graybeal 12 catches for 114 yards and two TD’s
Bridger Fairchild 11 tackles
Alexander Central 5-5 overall 3-2 in Northwestern Conference
Ashe County 4-6 overall and 1-4 in NWC
Alexander Central is almost certainly qualified for the State 4A Playoffs. The pairing will be released in Sunday, November 10th.