When you play three of the best teams in the area to start your season every year, you’re going to take your lumps. You might even get beat up.
But not this time.
Meadowbrook was getting progressively better, with each start. As a result, surprised the top-ranked team in the Central Region, Highland Springs, 8-7.
With the win, the Monarchs improved their record to 1-2, and now will embark on the portion of the schedule where they started to excel last season.
“We came out and had a nice effort against Hermitage last week,” said coach Adam Tiller. “Then this week, the kids were flying around in practice, it just felt different. I thought we had turned the corner a bit, but it just came together tonight.”
After playing nearly three scoreless quarters, Highland Springs struck first on a touchdown plunge by running back Shyrie McKeiver from 5 yards out.
In the fourth quarter, it was Meadowbrook sophomore K.J. McNeil who scored on a two-yard run. An added two-point conversion (Cameron Bullock pass to Joe Brown) gave the Monarchs a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Highland Springs was unable to score on Meadowbrook’s defense, and a missed 26-yard field goal attempt by the Springers sealed the game.
While the Springers lost quarterback Juwan Carter to injury in the second quarter, Meadowbrook was able to put constant pressure on him early in the game, setting the tone.
Though Highland Springs was without their quarterback, a youthful Monarchs squad played 10 sophomores and a freshman, including quarterback Jamon Battle, who came in at times for the senior Bullock.
“My best offensive player only touched the ball once all night,” Tiller said. “He didn’t complain. I switched quarterbacks during the game, and neither kid complained. We’ve come together as a team and we’re starting to have that chemistry.”
Meadowbrook capped off their gauntlet of a schedule with a victory over Highland Springs after dropping games to Hermitage and L.C. Bird. The Monarchs have played Hermitage and Highland Springs every season since 2013, and added L.C. Bird to the mix last year.
“We came out tonight knowing that we have one of the best offenses in the Central Region, and now I think other teams will start realizing that,” Tiller said. “Now we have to start getting better again on Monday and get ready for Petersburg.”
Highland Springs, the No. 1 team in the #8SportsBlitz/RVAGameBreak Top 10 Poll, captured the 5A state title in 2015, and was riding a 16-game winning streak.
