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David Sparks

Walhalla High School’s John Sharpe (28) looks for running room as teammate Andrew Broome leads the way during the Razorbacks’ 35-7 loss to Abbeville on Friday at Razorback Field in Walhalla.

WALHALLA — A 35-7 loss to Abbeville on Friday night wasn’t the biggest blow to Walhalla, as it will now be without record-setting quarterback Rob Middleton and possibly wide receiver Nick Tubbs.

With the Razorbacks (3-4, 1-1 Skyline AA) trailing 21-7, Middleton completed a 46-yard pass to Tubbs down to the Abbeville 2-yard line before taking off on a quarterback sneak on the following play.

As Middleton was stopped for a loss, he hit the ground hard and remained motionless following the hit before being carried off the field in a leg brace.

“Rob is done for the season,” Walhalla head coach John Boggs. “It looks like he broke his leg. Nick Tubbs also was injured. His collarbone might be broken. It’s unfortunate because these guys are seniors who have worked hard to improve this program.”

As far as the game itself went, Abbeville dominated the running game, with Abbeville running back Dureal Elmore rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns, while Sammy Head added 88 yards and a touchdown.

“Walhalla has traditionally always played us tough and tonight was no different,” said Abbeville Head Coach Jamie Nichols. “We were fortunate to find holes and make the most out of it tonight.”

After picking up a pair of first downs on its opening drive, Walhalla eventually punted to the Panthers, who went to the air facing third-and-nine as quarterback Jermaine Thackson connected to Head for 21 yards.

The Razorbacks then tightened up to force fourth down, but Elmore faked a punt and rushed for 38 yards before he capped the drive off on a 3-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 Abbeville advantage.

Meeshon Thompson returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield, and the Razors took advantage of the field position as Middleton connected on a 48-yard pass to John Sharpe down to the 2-yard line. Sharpe then caught a 2-yard score from Middleton to tie the game.

On the opening play of the second quarter, Thackson passed to tight end James Power for a 40-yard touchdown before the Panthers missed the extra point to keep the score at 13-7.

Elmore rumbled in for a 6-yard score and a 21-7 Abbeville lead following a successful two-point conversion attempt just prior to the injury to Middleton.

Sharpe then took over the reins at quarterback for the Razors, and ran the ball on third-and-three and appeared to be in the end zone, but the initial touchdown call was reversed and the ball was placed on the 1-yard line on fourth down.

Sharpe was stopped by a fleet of Panthers and turned the ball over on downs. The call became crucial as the Panthers scored in the last seconds of the half to lead 28-7 at half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Lane Rochester came into the game as quarterback for the Razorbacks, but his first throw was intercepted by Avahryus Sherard.

On the Panthers’ next play, Head scored on a 10-yard rushing play.

Rochester was able to move the ball late in the game, however, giving some hope to a Walhalla offense that is going to look radically different without the services of Middleton, who has been starting since his freshman season and has rewritten the Walhalla record books.

“Our team stepped up in the second half,” Boggs said. “We can build off of it for our next games. Both John and Lane did good things tonight. I’m not sure who will start the next game. They both might play.”

Abbeville 35, Walhalla 7

AHS 7 21 0 7 — 35

WHS 7 0 0 0 — 7

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

AHS — Elmore 3 yard run (Taylor kick) 2:55

WHS — Sharpe 2 yard pass from Middleton (Metz kick) 1:30

Second quarter

AHS — Power 30 yard pass from Thackson (kick failed) 11:53

AHS — Elmore 6 yard run (Thackson pass) 4:46

AHS — Elmore 47 yard run (Taylor kick) 0:00

Fourth quarter

AHS — Head 10 yard run (Taylor kick) 4:47

TEAM STATISTICS

AHS WHS

First Downs 17 14

Rushes-Yards 46-334 29-78

Passing Yards 99 181

Comp-Att-Int 6-8-0 14-18-2

Punts 0 2

Fumbles-Lost 2-0 2-0

Penalties-Yards 12-91 6-42

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — Elmore 16-160, Head 11-88, Enwright 7-38, Thackson 6-25, Watt 5-21, Morton 1-2. Walhalla, Sharpe 9-30, Rochester 5-27, Thompson 12-23, Middleton 3-(-)2.

Passing — Abbeville, Thackson 6-8-0 99. Walhalla, Middleton 10-11-0 133, Sharpe 3-4-1 28, Rochester 1-3-1 20.

Receiving — Abbeville, Power 1-40, Jackson 1-37, Head 2-30, Enwright 1-2. Walhalla, Tubbs 4-68, Sharpe 4-54, Brown 4-52, McMullan 2-17, Thompson 1-(-)2.