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Lebanon and Tazewell Save Every Point for the Fourth Quarter as the Pioneers Win 28-21

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2 days ago

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Tazewell ball carrier in green holds the football as a Lebanon defender in white reaches in to make the tackle at night in Tazewell.

For three quarters on Friday night at Tazewell, neither team could buy a point. Lebanon and Tazewell traded stops, punts and missed chances in a scoreless Southwest District fight, and the regular season finale for both teams looked headed for a finish nobody would remember.

Team captains from Lebanon and Tazewell stand at midfield for the coin toss before the game.
Captains from Lebanon and Tazewell meet at midfield for the coin toss. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Then the fourth quarter started, and everything happened at once. The two teams combined for 49 points in the final period alone. Lebanon built a 21-14 lead late, Tazewell answered with the tying score, and the Pioneers put together one more drive to win it 28-21. Lebanon closes the regular season at 5-5 and snaps its losing streak. Tazewell closes at 4-6 after a rally that came up one score short.

A Fourth Quarter Nobody Saw Coming

Tazewell ball carrier in green holds the football as a Lebanon defender in white reaches in to make the tackle at night in Tazewell.
The Tazewell ball carrier turns upfield as Lebanon’s No. 11 reaches in during the fourth quarter at Tazewell. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

The quarter by quarter line tells the story. Zero, zero and zero for three quarters, then Lebanon 28 and Tazewell 21 in the fourth. Forty nine points after none at all, in a game that turned into a shootout the moment the final period began.

Lebanon's No. 5 tackles the Tazewell ball carrier near the goalpost.
Lebanon’s No. 5 wraps up the Tazewell ball carrier near the goalpost. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Lebanon did its damage on the ground, piling up more than 200 rushing yards on the night behind a line that kept leaning on the Bulldogs until the openings came. The Pioneers were shorthanded and still found a way, answering every Tazewell score in the fourth until the last one stood up.

Tazewell No. 15 runs with the football as Lebanon players chase from behind.
Tazewell No. 15 keeps the ball and turns upfield with Lebanon defenders giving chase. Photo by Elijah Hicks.
The Tazewell quarterback runs with the football during the game against Lebanon.
The Tazewell quarterback tucks the ball and runs as the Bulldogs drive. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Tazewell refused to fold. Down 21-14 late, the Bulldogs drove for the tying touchdown and had the home crowd believing, only to watch Lebanon answer one final time. The Bulldogs finish 4-6, with a fourth quarter that showed exactly what this team can be when it gets rolling.

Lebanon's No. 2 runs with the football as a Tazewell player's arm reaches toward him.
Lebanon’s No. 2 breaks away with the ball as a Tazewell defender reaches for him. Photo by Elijah Hicks.
Tazewell's No. 20 blocks a Lebanon defender during a running play.
Tazewell’s No. 20 throws a block on a Lebanon defender to spring the run. Photo by Elijah Hicks.
A player bends down to scoop up a loose football on the field.
A player scoops up a loose ball as both teams converge. Photo by Elijah Hicks.
Tazewell's No. 9 celebrates on the field during the game against Lebanon.
Tazewell’s No. 9 celebrates on the field as the Bulldogs rally in the fourth quarter. Photo by Elijah Hicks.
Lebanon's No. 11 faces off against Tazewell's No. 2 at the line of scrimmage.
Lebanon’s No. 11 and Tazewell’s No. 2 square off at the line of scrimmage. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

What Is Next for Both Teams

The regular season is complete for both programs. Lebanon finishes 5-5 and turns to the postseason picture with momentum after snapping its losing streak on the road. Tazewell finishes 4-6. Both teams now wait on the VHSL playoff picture in their region to learn whether Friday night was the end of the season or the start of a playoff run.

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Photo Gallery

Tazewell ball carrier in green holds the football as a Lebanon defender in white reaches in to make the tackle at night in Tazewell.
Lebanon's No. 5 tackles the Tazewell ball carrier near the goalpost.
Tazewell No. 15 runs with the football as Lebanon players chase from behind.
The Tazewell quarterback runs with the football during the game against Lebanon.
Lebanon's No. 2 runs with the football as a Tazewell player's arm reaches toward him.
Tazewell's No. 20 blocks a Lebanon defender during a running play.
Tazewell's No. 9 celebrates on the field during the game against Lebanon.
A player bends down to scoop up a loose football on the field.
Team captains from Lebanon and Tazewell stand at midfield for the coin toss before the game.
Lebanon's No. 11 faces off against Tazewell's No. 2 at the line of scrimmage.

Photos by Elijah Hicks.

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I'm Elijah Hicks, a sports photographer and the owner of Elijah In Motion, based in Southwest Virginia. I'm passionate about capturing the moments, emotions, and energy that make sports and events special. I photograph football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball, while also being open to photographing a wide variety of subjects, events, and opportunities. I'm always looking to expand my experience, take on new challenges, and continue growing as a photographer.

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We Speak High School Football

Graham Shuts Out Lee 43-0 in Region 2D Playoff Opener

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1 hour ago

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November 15, 2026

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Four Graham G-Men football players in black jerseys and maroon helmets celebrate together on the field at night.
Graham’s Nos. 3, 7, 11 and 12 celebrate together during the G-Men’s 43-0 playoff win over Lee. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

The Graham G-Men opened the VHSL Class 2 playoffs the way a top seed is supposed to, with the offense rolling and the defense pitching a shutout in a 43-0 win over the Lee Generals on Friday night at Tazewell High School in the Region 2D quarterfinals.

Graham's No. 1 hands the football to No. 7 in the backfield during a night game.
Graham’s No. 1 hands off to No. 7 during the G-Men’s 43-0 win over Lee. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Graham came in as the No. 1 seed in Region 2D at 9-1, and Lee arrived as the No. 8 seed at 5-5, and the night followed the seeding from the opening drives. The G-Men built their lead behind a ground game that kept moving the chains, and by the middle of the third quarter the game was out of reach. Je’Von Lane’s 5-yard touchdown run and the extra point made it 30-0 with 7:51 left in the third quarter.

Lee never found an answer. The Generals were kept off the scoreboard for all four quarters, and Graham’s defense closed the door for good in the fourth. Jeremiah Quick intercepted a Lee pass and returned it for a touchdown with 8:11 to play, and after the two-point try failed, the 43-0 score stood as the final.

Graham's center crouches over the football at the line of scrimmage with the quarterback behind him.
Graham’s center sets over the ball with No. 1 behind him against Lee. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

A Defense That Slammed the Door

The shutout was the story inside the blowout. Graham has now blanked its last two opponents, closing the regular season with a 56-0 win over Richlands before holding Lee scoreless in the playoff opener. Quick’s interception return touchdown was the defense scoring on its own, the kind of play that turns a comfortable win into a statement.

Graham's No. 5 celebrates with his arms out, wearing gold gloves, during a night game.
Graham’s No. 5 celebrates during the G-Men’s shutout of Lee. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

For Lee, the night ended a 5-6 season that still carried the Generals into the postseason. The trip to the playoffs is the part the program takes into the offseason, even as the final score showed the gap between the No. 8 seed and the top of Region 2D.

What It Means

A Graham coach wearing a headset talks face to face with player No. 56 on the sideline.
A Graham coach talks with No. 56 on the sideline during Friday night’s game. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Graham moves to 10-1 and keeps the region’s top seed playing like one. Head coach Tony Palmer’s team has won its last two games by a combined 99-0, and the G-Men head into the second round with a defense that has not given up a point in two weeks and an offense that put Friday’s game away before the fourth quarter began.

Four Graham G-Men football players in black jerseys and maroon helmets celebrate together on the field at night.
Graham’s Nos. 3, 7, 11 and 12 celebrate together during the G-Men’s 43-0 playoff win over Lee. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

What Is Next

Graham hosts No. 4 Gate City in the Region 2D semifinals on Friday, November 20. Gate City advanced with a 49-14 win over Southern Gap, and the winner moves on to the Region 2D championship game on November 27 or 28. Lee’s season is complete at 5-6, and the Generals turn the page to the offseason.

Three Graham players celebrate together near the goalpost after the game.
Graham’s Nos. 2, 74 and 7 celebrate near the goalpost after the 43-0 win. Photo by Elijah Hicks.

Photo Gallery

A Graham ball carrier holds the football on the ground as a Lee defender in a white jersey tackles him.
Graham's No. 1 hands the football to No. 7 in the backfield during a night game.
Graham's center crouches over the football at the line of scrimmage with the quarterback behind him.
Four Graham G-Men football players in black jerseys and maroon helmets celebrate together on the field at night.
Three Graham players celebrate together near the goalpost after the game.
Two Graham players celebrate while Lee players in white jerseys stand nearby on the field.
Graham and Lee players stand together on the field between plays at night.
Graham's No. 5 celebrates with his arms out, wearing gold gloves, during a night game.
Graham's No. 2 faces the camera with teammates Nos. 5 and 74 behind him.
A Graham coach wearing a headset talks face to face with player No. 56 on the sideline.
Graham football players huddle together on the sideline under the lights.
Graham's No. 7 celebrates with a teammate near the sideline with fans in the bleachers behind them.
A Graham lineman wearing No. 53 claps his hands on the sideline during a night game.
A Graham football player wearing a striped knit cap points from the sideline during a night game.
Graham's No. 74 jogs onto the field, seen from behind, with the Lee team on the far sideline.

Photos by Elijah Hicks.

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