Wildcat Locker Room Report

The Armstrong Wildcats traveled to Hanover on Friday night for a matchup that carried a true VHSL playoff atmosphere, as both teams entered the contest battling for postseason positioning in their respective regions. What followed was an instant classic, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the night before Armstrong emerged with a dramatic victory in the closing seconds.

Hanover struck first, but the Wildcats wasted little time responding. A big run by Shadarus Pickett set up quarterback Jahkee Cotman's 3-yard touchdown run, giving Armstrong an early lead. From there, the teams traded blows in a hard-fought contest that remained tight into the fourth quarter.

Facing adversity late in the game, Armstrong came up with several momentum-shifting plays. After a Hanover touchdown, Kemari Cherry delivered a crucial block of the extra point attempt, keeping the Hawks' lead at three points rather than four and preserving hope for the Wildcats.

Moments later, Armstrong's defense provided the spark it desperately needed. Shadarus Pickett scooped up a Hawks fumble and raced 53 yards for a touchdown, swinging the momentum and putting the Wildcats back in front. Hanover answered once again, reclaiming a 23-20 lead late in the fourth quarter. However, the Wildcats' defense rose to the occasion with a critical fourth-down stop, giving the offense one final opportunity with just over two minutes remaining.

Armstrong then marched more than 70 yards down the field behind the dynamic rushing duo of Shadarus Pickett and Brennan Ball. The pair combined for 127 of the Wildcats' 155 rushing yards, grinding out key first downs and keeping the drive alive. With time winding down, Ball found the edge and crossed the goal line in the final seconds, sealing a thrilling victory for Armstrong.

Mac Noland also played a pivotal role in the win, contributing nine points with two clutch field goals and three extra points.

With the victory, Armstrong keeps pace in the region playoff race and will close out the regular season next week at home against the Arcadia Firebirds for Senior Night.

Passing

#5 Jahkee Cotman 8 / 20 174 yds 1 Int / 4 Rushes 25 Yds 1 TDs

#2 Shadarus Pickett 1 / 1 26 Yds

Receiving

#0 Brendon Oliver - 2 Receptions 52 Yds

#1 Kemari Cherry - 2 Receptions 13 Yds

#6 Ranaud Cherry - 2 Receptions 71 Yds

#7 Aadyn Allen - 2 Receptions 51 Yds

#2 Shadarus Pickett 1 Reception - 14 Yds

Rushing

#2 Shadarus Pickett - 12 Carries 76 Yds

#8 Brennan Ball - 10 Carries 62 Yds 1 TD

#4 Navion Adams - 1 Carry 2 Yds

Defense

#0 Brendon Oliver 3 Tkl (2 Solo)

#1 Kemari Cherry - 4 Tkl (1 Solo / 2 PBU / 1 XP block)

#2 Shadarus Pickett - 6 Total Tkls (4 Solo / 1 PBU / FR (+53) TD)

#3 Antonio Bragg Jr - 4 Total Tkls (2 Solo)

#4 Nyvion Adams - 6 Total Tkls (1 Solo /2 TFLs/2 SK)

#6 Ranaud Cherry - 9 Total Tkls (2 Solo / 2 TFLs)

#7 Aadyn Allen - 7 Total tackles ( 3 Solo / 2 TFLs / 1 FR)

#11 Kris Gilliam - 6 Total Tkls (1 PBU)

#21 Iyaan Reaves - 1 Total Tkls

#34 Reginald Williams - 6 Total Tkls (3 TFLs / 1 SK)

#50 Toreign Edmunds - 6 Total Tkls (1 Solo)

#54 Christian Frazier - 4 Total Tkls

#56 Divine Holloway - 9 Total Tkls (2 Solo / 1 SK / 4 TFLs)

Special Teams

PAT

#32 Mac Noland 3/3 XP / 2 / 2 FGs (9 Points)

Kick Returns

#0 Brendon Oliver - 3 - 8 Yds

#34 Reginald Williams - 1 - 9 Yds

Punt Returns

#0 Brendon Oliver - 1 - 23 Yds

#1 Kemari Cherry - 1 - 13 Yds

The Lady Wildcats finished the week with a strong 3–0 victory over John Marshall on Thursday, October 29. Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaching staff on a great performance! The team closed out the week with 2 major victories and look forward to a great off season.

The Lady Wildcats flag football team lost to John Marshall 18-0; however we were able to make the playoffs this week. We will be hosting Thomas Jefferson on Wednesday for a 6pm game.

Tickets: $8.00

Congratulations to our Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Week. Sponsored by Jersey Mike's, our recipients will receive the following:

• Student-Athlete of the Week/Month Recognition Certificate
• BOGO Sub Coupon/AD Ando Prize

Student–Athlete Sportsmanship Expectations

(From Virginia High School League Handbook)

The Athlete Should:

• Be courteous to visiting teams and officials.

• Play hard and to the limit of his/her ability, regardless of discouragement. The true athlete does not give up nor does he/she quarrel, cheat, bet or grandstand.

• Retain his/her composure at all times and never leave the bench or enter the playing field/court to engage in a fight.

• Be modest when successful and be gracious in defeat. A true sportsman does not offer excuses for failure.

• Maintain a high degree of physical fitness by observing team and training rules conscientiously. ∙ Demonstrates loyalty to the school by maintaining a satisfactory scholastic standing and by participating in or supporting other school activities.

• Play for the love of the game.

• Understand and observe the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.

• Set a high standard of personal cleanliness.

• Respect the integrity and judgment of officials and accept their decisions without question.

• Respect the facilities of host schools and the trust entailed in being a guest.

The Parent Should:

• Realize that he/she represents the school just as definitely as does the member of a team and, therefore, has an obligation to be a true sportsman, encouraging through this behavior the practice of good sportsmanship by others.

• Recognize that good sportsmanship is more important than victory by approving and applauding good team play, individual skill and outstanding examples of sportsmanship and fair play exhibited by either team.

• Treat visiting teams and officials as guests, extending to them every courtesy.

• Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.

• Respect the judgment and integrity of officials, realizing that their decisions are based upon game conditions as they observe them.

Email: ganderso@rvaschools.net
Website: https://armstrongwildcatsathletics.com/
Location: 2300 Cool Lane, Richmond, VA, USA
Phone: (804) 780-4449
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officeofarmstrongathelitics
Twitter: @AHSSportsRVA

Instagram: @Armstrong_Athletics

GoFan Tickets: https://gofan.co/app/school/VA7773