Bison keep Knights grounded

SWOOPE — The Bison defense had to hold. James River quarterback Jordan Talbott threw the ball all over the field, but the Gap secondary held down the air assault enough to dominate in a 40-14 win Friday night.

Trevor Campbell, Talbott’s opposing quarterback, may not have thrown for 363 yards, but was just was impressive and more importantly, picked up the win.

“Our defense bent but didn’t break,” Gap coach Rob Maxwell said. “We are okay giving up those yards, but we won the game.”

Campbell helped the Bison pull away from the visiting Knights early in the second quarter when he hit wide receiver Matt Gregory on a 65-yard screen pass for a touchdown and the 12-0 lead.

“The line played well and gave me time,” Campbell said about his performance. “The receivers caught the ball so that was good.”

Campbell caught the ball as well in the third quarter.

With Talbott marching the Knights down the field, the junior made one of his three mistakes, all interceptions.

Talbott lofted a pass across the middle that was completed by defensive back Campbell who returned the pick 44-yards for his second touchdown of the night.

Campbell tacked on another score in the fourth quarter with a run up the middle on the goal line.

“We ran a two quarterback system tonight and it worked well,” Maxwell stated. “Trevor [Campbell] played well for us tonight.”

Talbott kept pounding the ball down the field but the Gap defense was content to give up 60 yards passing if they could keep James River out of the end zone.

“It was tiring,” Campbell added about facing Talbott. “He had his way with us late but we still held him down.”

Buffalo Gap (3-2, 0-0 Shenandoah) are off next week before hosting Luray for Homecoming and the district opener.