varsity.roanoke.com

BUCHANAN -- There was no doubt that James River's Jordan Talbot would play Friday night.

At least not after doctors determined that the ailment that had kept him out of school for a couple of days this week was a sinus problem and not the flu.

"I was trying to do my best," Talbot confessed. "I thought I let down the team by missing practice."

With the Pioneer District championship and a trip to the Region C playoffs on the line, Talbot didn't let down James River at all.

Instead the junior quarterback led the Knights to a 26-7 victory over rival Bath County, passing for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

"Its an unbelievable feeling to beat them finally," Talbot said. "We played our hearts out."

James River coach Philip King said he could not put into words how good it feels.

"We've come up short so many times," said King, whose Knights improved to 4-5 overall and 3-0 in the Pioneer District with one game to play. "It's a big win for the program, a big win for the school. ... You've got to be real good to beat Bath County."

Bath County coach Will Fields would consider that a compliment, but would have preferred a win.

"It's a huge disappointment," said Fields, whose Chargers are 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the district. "Our thing now is the region championship and to put our focus on that."

Though Talbot's passing was outstanding, he said the Knights' success came due to a game plan focusing on establishing the running game.

Ian Johnson ran for 67 yards on 16 carries and Brandon Garrett ran for 47 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Talbot ran 16 times for 36 yards.

"Them being able to run the ball was a big key," Fields said. "We've been able to take the run away in the past, make them a one-dimensional team. But our defensive front didn't play very well tonight, not like they have against some other people.

"Them being able to move the chains on the ground was totally the key."

James River's first touchdown drive came entirely on the run. After that, Talbot and company started mixing things up.

Talbot hit Johnson for two touchdown passes, one for 31 yards and the other for 18.

Chris Ware caught three passes for 93 yards. Jonathan Falls had five catches for 24 yards and K.W. King had three catches for 35. Garrett caught a 13-yard pass.

By halftime the Knights were up 20-0, and they scored again on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Bath County quarterback Michael Robertson passed for 157 yards.

Dana Richmond ran for 45 yards and caught four passes for 82.

But the Chargers' lone touchdown came on a one-yard run by Robertson with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

"We just dug too deep a hole in the first half," Fields said.

"They got some receivers free and they were able to make some throws. And after halftime, we didn't really answer the bell.

"They really just outplayed us tonight."

Bath County 0 0 0 7--7

James River 13 7 6 0--26

JR -- Garrett 2 run (kicked blocked)

JR -- Johnson 31 pass from Talbot (Ewen kick)

JR -- Johnson 18 pass from Talbot (Ewen kick)

JR -- Talbot 2 run (kick blocked)

BC -- Robertson 1 run (Brinkley kick)

BC JR

First downs 14 19

Yards rushing 32-93 47-172

Passes C-A-I 16-22-2 14-21-1

Yards passing 157 214

Penalties-yards 3-20 5-36

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0

Punts-average 2-23.5 4-35.25

Individual statistics

RUSHING -- Bath County-Robertson 17-45, Richmond 8-45, Bratton 1-1, Fry 3-5, Plecker 2-(-3), Brinkley 1-0. James River-Talbot 19-36, Johnson 16-67, Garrett 10-47, Falls 2-16, Ware 1-6.

PASSING -- Bath County- Robertson 16-66-2-157, James River-Talbot 14-21-1-214.

RECEIVING -- Bath County-Smothers 4-29, Fry 2-8, Richmond 4-82, Newmarker 5-38. James River-Garrett 1-13, Johnson 2-49, King 3-35, Falls 5-24, Ware 3-93.