Extra time in film room helps Battlefield prevail

Battlefield Coach Mark Cox insisted it was done for tactical purposes. His players, though, weren't so sure.

Because of a bye week and the postponement of this week's game against Osbourn, the Battlefield football team was forced to spend a little extra time studying film of last year's Northwest Region semifinal loss to the Eagles.

But on Monday night in Haymarket, No. 12 Battlefield put a few more palatable memories on tape, surviving a late Osbourn rally to grab a 20-18 win and nudge its regular season unbeaten streak to 26 games.

"I could probably recite every play," Bobcats quarterback Bo Revell of the excessive film study.

Revell's team improved to 7-0 overall, 1-0 in the Cedar Run District. Osbourn fell to 5-3, 1-1.

In the first 24 minutes, Revell completed 4 of 11 passes for 34 yards and was intercepted twice. He also fumbled late in the second quarter. But after halftime, Revell connected on 9 of 13 throws for 103 yards and a touchdown while also adding a one-yard scoring run.

"I got on [Revell] a little bit and pointed out that you just have to get your drop and throw the ball on time," Cox said.

The teams traded scores after halftime before Revell's sneak and touchdown run by Nagee Jackson (24 carries, 94 yards) put Battlefield ahead, 20-12.

Thomas Keith hit Lucky Whitehead in the game's final minute to get Osbourn within 20-18, but on the two-point conversion to tie, Keith's pass slipped through Whitehead's hands.

"The [film study] got us a little mad," said Bobcats wide receiver Blaine Mason, "but I think it got us hyped for the game."