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Defense leads Blue Ridge past Hargrave

Hargrave’s throwback single-wing offense didn’t slow up Blue Ridge in the Barons’ home opener on the road. Blue Ridge rolled past the Tigers 39-8 Saturday afternoon with a physically dominant performance that could be a sign of things to come this season.

A.J. Williams only had three catches on the day, but he made the most of them, going for 101 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by an 80-yarder. Speedy McCauley went 8-for-15 for 197 yards and didn’t make any critical mistakes (zero interceptions) while tossing four touchdowns. McCauley also rushed for 43 yards on seven carries.

The Barons led just 14-0 at the half, but an explosive, 18-point third quarter put the Tigers away for good.

Head coach Del Smith talked about installing a more-aggressive scheme on defense during the offseason and after one game that strategy is looking pretty solid. Mike Casey and Kyle Aichs each had 11 tackles to pace the defense.

Blue Ridge’s defensive line disrupted much of Hargrave’s offensive system by dominating the line of scrimmage and creating havoc in the backfield. Isaiah Battle had five tackles for a loss and a fumble return for a touchdown where the 6-foot-8, 250-pound lineman rumbled 35 yards for the score. Tyrell Chavis, who checks in at 260 pounds, managed six tackles, three of them for a loss.

Blue Ridge faces Liberty Christian Academy Friday in the Barons’ home opener.

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