Alleghany Takes Down Staunton 22-21, Move to 3-0 By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer Covington, VA (Sept. 19, 2025)— To say that tonight's game was a nailbiter would be a bit of an understatement. However, the Alleghany Cougars proved they were a force to be reckoned with when they took down the Staunton Storm, 22-21. Talk about seeing a rainbow after the "storm." It was a slow-moving first quarter with the Cougars receiving the ball and devouring 11 minutes out of 12 in the first quarter. Then, with 1:04 remaining on the clock before the second, Alleghany Cougars' work horse, Carter Nicely ran the ball in for an Alleghany touchdown. The added extra point kick gave the Cougars an early lead 7-0. In this well-matched game, Staunton had just as much trouble with the Alleghany defense, chewing up the clock in the second quarter down to 5:55. It was at that point when they fumbled the ball on the Alleghany 2-yard line. Alleghany recovered it. Then, in the time it took this journalist to ask the person next to me, "Can you imagine how they feel fumbling that close to the end zone?" Staunton intercepted from Alleghany, running the ball in for a touchdown. Two plays. Two turnovers. The extra point kick made it an even ball game at seven. A few plays later, Alleghany was looking at an intimidating 3rd and 21. Des Jordan drew back and sent the pigskin sailing through the air, perfectly aiming the football at Kenton Kirby 20 yards down the field. 4th and one. In no time it seemed, the Cougars were down the field and Sarge Persinger was in the endzone with the second Alleghany touchdown. The extra point gave the Cougars the lead for the second time in the ballgame with 3:21 remaining until the half. Ultimately, the clock would wind down and take that score into halftime. In the third quarter, the Staunton Storm came back with a vengeance. They scored an early touchdown three and a half minutes in. The extra point kick made it a tie ball game for the second time. With 8:39 on the clock in the third, the Storm was tied with Alleghany 14 all. About another three and a half minutes passed before Staunton secured yet another touchdown, putting them ahead of Alleghany for the first time all night. With 5:12 remaining in the third, Staunton Storm was ahead of the Alleghany Cougars 21-14. That score would take them into the fourth. After a lot of back and forth between the teams, Des Jordan scored a touchdown with 6:44 remaining on the clock. 21-20 Staunton. Alleghany timeout. Led by Coach Will Fields, the Cougars opted to risk it all and go for the lead, but would the two point conversion pay off? The quick answer. Yes. Quarterback Des Jordan threw a perfect pass to Colton Jack, securing the lead once again for Alleghany. Staunton Storm was unable to recover and the Alleghany Cougars would go on to win the game by a point. The Cougars are currently 3-0 and are ranked #3 in the Shendandoah District.

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