FARMVILLE — Despite their best efforts, the Prince Edward County High School varsity football team fell to the Goochland High School Bulldogs, 58-28, on Friday, October 31. With the loss, the PECHS Eagles dropped to 4-5 in the regular season.

“We were able to play well in spurts, but it is hard to beat a good football team when you turn the ball over. Also, we suffered a couple of injuries to key players, but our guys came in and played well in their absences,” PECHS varsity football coach James Ford commented.

The Bulldogs began the game with a touchdown and extra point right off the bat. The Eagles then answered with a 14-yard touchdown run by Anthony Walker. With an unsuccessful extra point attempt, PECHS trailed 7-6.

Goochland wasted no time in breaking through the Eagles' defense to score another touchdown and extra point before the first quarter ended. GHS now led 14-6 entering the second quarter.

Delquan Bigelow opened up the next quarter with a one-yard run for the Eagles. Again, the extra point was unsuccessful.

The Bulldogs then quickly scored two touchdowns and three extra points during the rest of the first half. Goochland continued their lead at half-time, 29-12.

PECHS punched it into the end zone in the third quarter and scored on a 12-yard run by Keavon Watkins. Walker followed with a two-point conversion score, which was thrown by Deron Baugh.

The game then saw Goochland score two consecutive touchdowns, along with three extra points to notch the score to 44-20 ending the third quarter.

The Eagles managed to answer with a touchdown in the final quarter when Walker scored on a 10-yard pass thrown by Bigelow. Walker passed the ball to D.J. Williams thereafter for a two-point conversion. That would be the last time the Eagles would score.

Goochland followed up with two more touchdowns and two extra points to end the game.

“We will have to protect the ball better and get healthy next game for us to come out victorious,” Ford remarked.

Walker ended the night with three interceptions on defense and eight carries for 88 yards, which led to a touchdown. He also went 12 for 24 in passing, for 161 yards, and threw a touchdown. Bigelow contributed with 14 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown. He also had five catches for 75 yards, which led to a touchdown.

The Eagles defense was led by Austin Dykes with eight tackles, six were solo. Williams also had eight tackles (five solo) and two passes defended.

Baugh followed with six solo tackles, while Darkeem Gray has four solo tackles (six total).

The PECHS varsity football team will end their regular season on Friday, November 7 when they visit the Buckingham County High School Knights at 7 p.m.

“They (BCHS) boast one of the best offensive lines in the state at our level and have great athletes on both sides of the ball. Coach (Craig) Gill has his team playing well and getting healthy at the right time,” Ford went on to say about their next opponent.