Tigers Fall to Hokies After Questionable Penalty
Last second TD called back by officials in 7-3 loss
Blacksburg, VA – Auburn University bound wide receiver Chris Slaughter hauled in a 65-yard touchdown reception with forty-two seconds remaining in the game to give Hargrave Military Academy a 9-7 lead and what looked to be the game winning score in Lane Stadium on Friday. That changed quickly. After Slaughter crossed the plane of the end zone, a mysterious flag found its way onto the field back at the line of scrimmage after the officials raised their hands signifying a touchdown for the Tigers. The flag fell right in front of Coach Frank Beamer and his side line and the call was an ineligible receiver down field for Hargrave, which negated the touchdown strike, deflated the Hargrave sideline, and ended any hope of the PG’s repeating the play that gave them the lead, but was taken away. The penalty was the fourth consecutive flag thrown on the drive against the Tigers.
Generally any ineligible receiver penalty flag is thrown the second the ball leaves the quarterbacks hand, meaning that a receiver or lineman who is not eligible to be down field further than five yards on a pass play must be within that five yard zone. The flag remained in the officials pocket until Slaughter crossed into the end zone some 65-yards later. Meaning the flag was thrown sixty yards too late, but still held up to dash any chance of a Hargrave rally. It was the second time in as many years that a yellow flag ruined the PG’s chances at victory over the Hokies.
On a dark and rainy day, receiver Chris Slaughter was a bright spot. Slaughter not only caught the game winner, only to be called back, but also hauled in four catches for 116 yards, not including the 65-yards he was denied on the final play for the Tigers.
Kicker Kyle Hughes hit another field goal to add to his total on the season. Hughes booted a 37-yarder to put Hargrave up 3-0 early in the contest. The field goal marked Hughes’ eighth consecutive field goal on the season with a long of 51-yards.
The Hargrave defense was stellar on the afternoon. Defensive end Clifton Geathers recorded three sacks on the day. The University of Georgia bound defender was a mainstay in the backfield of the Hokies. Linebacker Russ Wantowski also shinned for the “black swarm” defense. Wantowski made play after play to stop the Virginia Tech offense throughout the game.
The Hokies would add a score with less than one minute remaining in the game to go up 7-3 before Hargrave moved the ball efficiently down the field. The Tigers could not move the ball any further after the back breaker of a penalty and the game ended with the same score. The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday when they play host to Louisburg College.
