The Landrum football team found itself between a rock and a hard place on Friday night in Blacksburg. The Cardinals have shown all season that their high-powered offensive attack is for real, but with 30 seconds left to go in a tough region matchup with Blacksburg, it was defense that would decide their fate.

The Cardinals (6-2, 4-0) lined up to punt with a little over a minute to go in the fourth quarter with a 25-22 lead. A high snap got passed Cardinal punter Stephen Doar and he was tackled on the 12 yard line. The Cardinal defense forced a fourth down on the 6 yard line and with the game on the line the Wildcats lined up for their final play.

The Blacksburg quarterback rolled out and hit star runningback in the flat with a short pass and David Hefner nipped the play in the bud, ending the Wildcats hopes for victory.

It got real exciting right there at the end, Landrum coach Russell Mahaffey said. David Hefner came up and took that play away.

The game wasnt all defense. The powerful ground game that Cardinal fans have become accustomed to all season was in full effect on the gridiron as well.

Star quarterback Brandon Cannon rushed for 155 yards on just 21 carries and found the endzone twice with his feet. He also had 47 yards through the air, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Logan. Cannon and tailback Cole McDowell proved once again that they are a dangerous backfield tandem.

My hat goes off to our lines, Mahaffey said. Our defensive and offensive line played a great game.

The win now sets up a showdown between the Cardinals and rival Christ Church next week with the Region Championship on the line. The game will be at Landrum.

LHS fans are asked to wear black to the game. Free white LHS towels will be passed out (while supplies last), or you can bring your own white towel to wave.