The Christiansburg Blue Demons are coming off a season that ended in the state finals, but Coach Tim Cromer lost 20 seniors to graduation.
The Floyd County Buffaloes were shutout in this one a year ago, and were hoping to turn the tables Friday night.
The state runner-up Christiansburg football team opened the season hosting Floyd County. Blue Demons junior Mackenzie Muldoon replaced Breden Motley at the quarterback position.
Muldoon wasted no time getting the offense going, handing-off to De'Quan Green-Gauss on third and 12. Green-Gauss went around the right side to cap-off their opening drive with a 27-yard touchdown run.
Floyd County responded on their ensuing drive with a pair of great catches. First it was Gus Underwood airing it out to Cole Worrell for a 44-yard reception down to the 10.
Then two plays later, Underwood went to Brandon Simpkins, who made the diving catch in the endzone. They missed the point after, making it 7-6 Blue Demons. With a 14-6 lead through one, Christiansburg added 7 more when Muldoon hurdled across the goal line for the 1-yard touchdown.
"You know we had a few mishaps tonight," Christiansburg head coach Tim Cromer said. "It's his first time starting running the pistol in this type of atmosphere. I thought he played real well. I thought we were pretty efficient on offense but we just got to tighten everything up like everyone else does after tonight."
The Buffaloes not going away though. Three minutes before the half, Dorian Harris got to work on the ground with a 24-yard touchdown and a 2-point conversion point after, making it a 7-point game at the half.
"Dorian Harris was the man tonight," Floyd County head coach Winfred Beale said. "He ran extremely hard and he put the team on his back. He had some good blocking up front too but we were real pleased with the effort."
The lead was back up to 14 in the 4th but once again, Floyd responded. Underwood launched one to Matt Bary who came down with it in the endzone. Then about a minute later, the Blue Demons pulled away for good when Joey Augustin broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown. Christiansburg held on to beat Floyd County, 35-21.
"It felt good. It finally opened up. I just had no running room in the beginning of the game and then finally I talked to my blockers and they just made a hole for me and I did the rest," Christiansburg running back Joey Augustin said.
Christiansburg makes it four in a row against Floyd County, taking their talents to Giles next week. The Buffaloes try to rebound at home against Galax.
