Catawba Ridge escaped with a close 27-24 victory over Chester on Friday night, relying on a late fourth-quarter touchdown pass and a final-minute interception to seal the win.
After a dominant first half that saw Catawba Ridge build a 14-3 lead, Chester fought its way back into the game with two long touchdown plays. The first was an 82-yard rushing touchdown by Caleb Feaster in the third quarter, which pulled Chester within four points. Later, T’Mari Caldwell’s long kickoff return set up a De’Imari Cockrell six-yard rushing touchdown that tied the game at 17-17.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Catawba Ridge took a 20-17 lead with a 40-yard field goal, but Feaster answered immediately, breaking free for a 53-yard rushing touchdown to give Chester its first lead of the night, 24-20, with five minutes remaining.
With the clock ticking, Catawba Ridge’s offense responded. A 29-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes left put the Copperheads back on top, 27-24. Chester had one last chance to win the game, driving the ball to the Catawba Ridge 37-yard line, but a final-minute interception by the Catawba Ridge defense secured the victory.
The Copperheads improve to 2-1 and travel to Spring Valley next Thursday night.
