Defense, quick-hitting offense key Tunstall victory

DRY FORK — Tunstall defensive back Aric Farrior was one of the only players not to bite on a play-action pass late in the fourth quarter. He laid back in the safety position and did not allow the Rustburg receiver to get behind him.

Farrior was in perfect position to collect Tunstall’s second interception of the game, this one coming with less than 3 minutes remaining that sealed the
Trojans’ 24-21 victory over the Red Devils Friday night.

“Turnovers are always big,” Rustburg coach Jon Berlin said.

Rustburg (0-2) committed three turnovers — two interceptions and one lost fumble — with the second turnover resulting in Tunstall (1-1) points. Tunstall recovered a fumble on a botched punt and scored a touchdown three plays later to take a 24-14 lead — the largest of the game.

Aside from capitalizing on turnovers, the Trojans never let Rustburg gain any momentum. After the Red Devils’ first two touchdowns, Tunstall responded with touchdowns of their own in two minutes or less.

“We knew we needed to — they’re awful dangerous,” Tunstall coach Buddy Brown said. “I’m just tickled to death we made some plays.”

The Trojans only turned the ball over once and controlled the clock by utilizing the ground game, a week after Dan River pounded the ball against Tunstall and William Byrd rushed for over 400 yards against Rustburg. 

Justin Williams rushed for 130 of Tunstall’s 250 yards on the ground. The senior running back punished the Red Devils and broke two long runs — a 53-yarder for a touchdown in the second quarter and one for 47 yards that set up a Zach Rice field goal that made it 10-7 entering the half.

“(Williams is) a player and I thought (Tae) Gunter had a great game at quarterback,” Brown said. “Everyone contributed and found a way. Our defense hung tough.”

Gunter completed two passes for 41 and rushed for 60 yards on 10 carries. Gunter found Roman Elliott all alone down the right side for a 43-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The senior quarterback picked up first downs twice on the game’s final drive with his legs to keep the clock rolling and the Rustburg offense off the field.

Rustburg quarterback Tyler Morris threw for 136 yards on 9-of-12 passing. He completed six of those passes for 62 yards to Nick Malott and he hooked up with Matt Harris for a 57-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-21.

Stacey Charlton rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

“It was back and forth all night,” Berlin said. “Momentum changed hands and it came down to the fourth quarter. It was a good high school football game.”

Tunstall 24, Rustburg 21
Rustburg 0 7 14 0 -  21
Tunstall 0 10 14 0 -  24
R – Charlton 2 run (Schmidt kick)
T – Williams 53 run (Rice kick)
T – Rice 31 kick
R – Charlton 20 run (Schmidt kick)
T – Elliott 43 pass from Gunter
T – Gore 8 run (Rice kick)
R – Harris 57 pass from Morris (Schmidt kick)

Individual statistics
Rushing: R-Charlton 24-125, Morris 8-4, Paulhus 1-(-4), Davis 2-(-7). T-Williams 14-130, Gunter 10-60, Gore 4-51, Thomas 7-19, Richmond 2-7, Huffman 1-5, Team 3-(-22).
Passing: R-Morris 9-12-2 136, Charlton 0-1-0 0. T-Gunter 2-6-0 41.
Receiving: R-Malott 6-62, Harris 1-57, Nijakowski 1-9, Charlton 1-8. T-Elliott 1-43, Williams 1-(-2).
Records: Rusburg 0-2, Tunstall 1-1.