Jonathan Cox picked the perfect time for his breakout game of the season.
The speedy junior had 233 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards to lead the Huskies by a resilient Elkin team, 41-34.
Ashe got the scoring started with a touchdown pass into the corner of the end zone from Eli Gambill to junior wide receiver Grayson Gilley. Anthony Federico nailed the extra point to put Ashe ahead 7-0.
The Huskies continued the first half scoring with a TD run from Gambill to increase the Ashe lead to 14-0.
Elkin finally found some offensive momentum in the second quarter. The Elks drove the ball deep into Ashe territory, and punched it in from one yard out with fullback Seth Creed. The extra point was good, which cut the Ashe lead in half to 14-7.
After that, Cox started to take over the game. The third score of the first half took place on a 32-yard run from Cox to answer the Elkin score on the previous position. Federico nailed the extra point again, putting Ashe in front 21-7.
The junior wasn’t done yet. Cox caught a short screen pass from Gambill, and took it to the house from 52 yards out for his second TD of the night. Ashe took a 28-7 lead to the halftime break.
“The first half, we came out inspired and played some great defense,” said head coach Brian Hampton.
In the second half, Elkin started a comeback that had Husky fans starting to sweat a little. Sophomore quarterback Josh Strickland ran for a touchdown, then tailback Jamiles Hayes capped off a spectacular run from 58 yards away, weaving through the Ashe defense on the way to the endzone.
Ashe got a pair of TD runs from Gambill, including a 58-yard scamper right through the middle of the Elkin defense to maintain its lead.
Late in the fourth, Strickland tossed a short TD pass to Chris Hudspeth to pull within seven points at 41-34.
On the onside kick attempt, junior defensive back Michael Elliott easily recovered the kick, and Ashe simply ran the clock out the rest of the way.
Ashe moved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference. Elkin fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the MVAC.
“It’s always good to get your first conference win, your first win at home for these seniors on Parents’ Night,” said Coach Hampton.
Individually, Gambill shined with 109 passing yards and 103 rushing yards as he continues to get better each week at the quarterback position.
“He (Gambill) is starting to really relish that roll as a leader, I’m awfully proud of him,” added Hampton.
The Huskies hit the road next week for a tough matchup against the undefeated Starmount Rams.
Area scores:
South Stokes 35, Alleghany 7
Mount Airy 7, Central Davidson 0
Newton-Conover 49, East Surry 7
McDowell 47, Avery 28
McMichael 35, West Stokes, 21
Wilkes Central 34, North Wilkes 14
Hibriten 21, Patton 14
Starmount 26, East Wilkes 3
Watauga 33, West Caldwell 14
West Wilkes 28, Forbush 7
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