River City Sports Notebook: Dan River, George Washington, Gretna score late-season wins

Dan River, George Washington and Gretna each picked up big district wins in high school gridiron action Friday night …

Brooks scores three touchdowns, Dan River scores 22 straight points in win over Chatham

RINGGOLD, Va. — Sophomore quarterback Keyon Brooks rushed for three touchdowns and Dan River knocked off Chatham 53–32 in Dogwood District on Homecoming Friday night.

Brooks ran for scores of 1, 1 and 6 yards to pace the Wildcats. Senior DJ Gregory found the end zone on runs of 40 and 6 yards while junior Kiyunn Myers added a 34-yard touchdown run. Junior Josiah Farmer pulled down an interception he turned into a 65-yard touchdown return. Freshman Rallye Goddard kicked a 36-yard field goal.

Dan River senior running back DJ Gregory (1) breaks loose for a first down against Dan River Friday evening. PHOTO: Davin Wilson/River City Sports.

Sophomore quarterback Amare Word turned in a brilliant performance for Chatham, rushing for 282 yards and three touchdowns. He found the end zone of scampers of 72, 54 and 28 yards. Senior Jaden Breedlove and freshman Jacob Robertson added touchdowns for the Cavaliers.

Dan River (2–6, 1–3 Dogwood) had a big night on defense, forcing three turnovers. Farmer had a forced fumble and interception while senior Ja’Cori Gregory and junior Trevor Thomas recovered a fumble apiece.

Sophomore EJ Linder recorded an interception for Chatham (3–4, 1–2 Dogwood).

Chatham sophomore quarterback Amare Word (8) runs out of bounds after a gain against the Wildcats Friday evening. PHOTO: Davin Wilson/River City Sports.

Word gave the Cavaliers a 32–31 lead on his 28-yard touchdown run with 8:26 left in the game.

That’s where the Wildcats got serious as Myers (33 yards), Gregory (2 yards) and Farmer (65-yard interception return) accounted for three straight scores that led them to the win.

Gregory led Dan River with 191 rushing yards on 27 carries while Myers ran for 59 yards on 10 carries.

Brooks completed 8-of-12 passes for 122 yards. Myers caught four passes for 72 yards.

Word completed five passes for 80 yards while also leading the Cavaliers’ ground attack. Sophomore Tymoni Turner caught two passes for 70 yards.

Chatham returns to action Nov. 1 when it hosts Gretna in Dogwood District action at 7 p.m.

Dan River takes the field again Nov. 1 when it takes on William Campbell on the road in Dogwood play at 7 p.m.

Cabell throws for four touchdowns in George Washington’s rout of Halifax County

DANVILLE, Va. — Senior quarterback Nehemiah Cabell threw for four touchdowns, junior Josh White returned a fumble for a score and George Washington celebrated Homecoming with a 56–9 win over rival Halifax County Friday evening.

Cabell threw for scores of 11, 20, 5, 48 and 7 yards to pace GW (7–1, 4–0 Piedmont).

George Washington sophomore Alex Brandon (2) turns the corner for a first down against Halifax County Friday evening. PHOTO: Brian Cendejas/Special to River City Sports.

Cabell started the scoring when he found junior Donovan Reaves for an 11-yard touchdown at the start of the first quarter. Sophomore Ta’Shon Nash doubled down on the Eagles’ lead when he caught Cabell’s pass for a 20-yard score. The senior capped his hat trick with a 5-yard touchdown toss to junior David King that made it a 21–0 game midway through the second quarter.

White made it a four-score game with his 40-yard fumble return and King pulled down his second scoring reception on a 48-yard pass that gave GW a 35–0 lead going into the break. The Eagles took a 42-point lead on sophomore Triston Newby’s 7-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter.

Cabell added a rushing score and sophomore Octaven Covington found freshman Josiah Saunders down the left side for a touchdown pass that capped the scoring.

Halifax County senior Joshua Easley (0) cuts around the right side while being pursued by senior Avante Fitzgerald (10) and junior Antonio Matos Friday evening. PHOTO: Brian Cendejas/Special to River City Sports.

Sophomore Alex Brandon ran the ball 10 times for a team-high 57 yards while Cabell added 44 yards and a score on four carries. Senior Kaliq Hairston ran the ball four times for 51 yards.

King led the receiving corps with four catches for 67 yards and two scores while Nash, Saunders and Reaves caught touchdown passes as well. Senior Patrick Taylor caught two passes for 34 yards.

Cabell completed 13 passes for 179 yards and four scores.

GW returns to action Nov. 1 when it travels to Baskerville for a Piedmont showdown against Mecklenburg County at 7 p.m.

Gretna storms past Nelson County in Dogwood District action

LOVINGSTON, Va. — Junior Rayshaun Logan threw for 184 yards, senior Derrick Tucker and junior Khalil Waller rushed for a pair of scores and Gretna ran past Nelson County, 38–6, in Dogwood District action Friday night.

Logan completed 17 of 28 passes while running the ball twice for 50 yards.

Waller paced Gretna (5–3, 3–1 Dogwood) with 59 yards and two scores on nine carries while Tucker ran the ball 12 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Xavier Waller hauled in team-highs of five catches for 48 yards while senior Damarion Hicks hauled in three passes for 46 yards and ran for a score as well. Senior Jay Giggetts recorded two catches for 45 yards and freshman Tysen Miller finished with 24 receiving yards on four catches.

Junior Raneer Jones paced Gretna with 16 tackles, including seven solo, while senior Shikem Witcher added 15 tackles, including 11 solo. Senior Rome Barbour finished with 14 tackles, four solo.

Gretna takes the field again Nov. 1 first when it takes on Chatham on the road in Piedmont District action at 7 p.m.

Mecklenburg County 51, Tunstall 8