by Leah Justice
After a tough loss the previous week against Chesnee, where Landrum not only lost a region game but linebacker Jacob Gibson to an injury, the Cardinals redeemed themselves on Friday, Oct. 18 against Blacksburg 56-7 for a region win.
Landrum (5-3) came out blazing with most of the Cardinals’ points scored in the first half, going into the locker room 41-0 at halftime over the Wildcats (0-8).
Coach Russell Mahaffey said following the game his players wanted to give Gibson a game ball and Landrum only gives out game balls if they win, so they had motivation.
Mahaffey said the team is really sorry Gibson can no longer play, but he is still a part of the team, a part of the family and the Cardinals are going to take care of him.
Landrum quarterback Aaron Bryant led the Cardinals rushing 110 yards total with three touchdowns and connected on 14 out of 25 passes for 239 yards and another two touchdowns. Bryant threw one interception.
Bryant’s touchdown passes went to Jacob Lanning and Anthony Anderson. Jojo Wilkins also ran for an 88-yard touchdown in the first half.
Lanning had 123 receiving yards and snatched two interceptions from the Wildcats.
Landrum’s first half was stellar, with the Cardinals scoring 21 in the first quarter and adding another 20 points to the scoreboard in the second quarter. The third quarter was scoreless for the Cardinals with Blacksburg scoring its first touchdown from Lance Moore on a 25-yard touchdown run.
Landrum came back in the fourth quarter to add another 15 to the scoreboard while Blacksburg scored another 20 in the fourth quarter.
Landrum’s Caleb Pruitt snatched an interception in the fourth quarter and ran for a 90-yard touchdown.
Backup Landrum quarterback Jacob Corn also found Adam McNeil for a 41-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals had 606 total yards compared to the Wildcats’ 341 total yards. Landrum rushed for 310 yards on 35 carries and connected on 16 of 27 total passes for 296 yards.
The Cardinals had three turnovers to the Wildcats’ eight turnovers.
Landrum plays again this Friday at home against Crescent for another region game. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.