YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEIGHBOR PHARMACY
We accept all available Medicare Plans for WV and VA!
(304) 487-0015
Your local Good Neighbor Pharmacy
• Immunizations • Flavor Rx Prescription Flavoring • Drive Thru Window • Delivery • Face to Face Program Participant
Morrison Dr. & Orchard Ave. Princeton, WV 24740 Locally Owned, Locally Operated, Locally Loved
www.FourSeasonsPharmacy.com 1090387772
2 | Friday, August 25, 2017
Bland County Bears
Location: Rocky Gap, Va. Home: Bland County Athletic Fields, Bastian Seasons: 16th (1992-2017) Games: 259 Record: 93-166, .359 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 4-6 Head coach: Harris Hart, (14th, 50-84) Preview: Page 16
Bluefield Beavers Location: Bluefield, W.Va. Home: Mitchell Stadium Seasons: 100 (1909-2017) Games: 994 Record: 645-326-23 .600 State Championships: 10 2016 Record: 4-6 Head coach: Fred Simon (32nd, 239-122) Preview: Page 6
Giles Spartans Location: Pearisburg, Va. Home: Stephen C. Ragsdale Stadium Seasons: 57 (1961-2017) Games: 624 Record: 400-215-9, .648 State Championships: 3 2016 Record: 8-4 Head coach: Jeff Williams (9th, 76-21) Preview: Page 15
Graham G-Men Location: Bluefield, Va. Home: Mitchell Stadium Seasons: 92 (1926-2017) Games: 912 Record: 519-353-40, .591 State Championships: 3 2016 Record: 11-2 Head coach: Tony Palmer (3rd, 17-8) Preview: Page 7
Grundy Golden Wave Location: Grundy, Va. Home: Nelson Memorial Field, Seasons: 92 (1926-2007) Games: 826 Record: 364-432-30, .459 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 7-4 Head coach: Craig Plymal (2nd, 7-4) Preview: Page 19
Bluefield College Rams
Location: Bluefield, Va. Home Mitchell Stadium Seasons: 5 (2012-17) Also played from 1922-41) Record: (2012-17): 5-50. (record TBD for 1922-41) Championships: 0 2016 Record: 1-10 Head coach: Dewey Lusk (first season) Preview: Page 31
Virginia Cavaliers
Location: Charlottesville, Va. Home: Scott Stadium Seasons: 128 (1888-2017) Games: 1,279 Record: 643-588-48 (.522) Championships: 0 2016 Record: 2-10 Head coach: Bronco Mendenhall (2nd, 2-10) Preview: Page 29
Virginia Tech Hokies
Honaker Tigers Location: Honaker, Va. Home: Fuller Field at Emats Stadium Seasons: 70 (1930-2017) Games: 312 Record: 317-32-13, .504 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 3-8 Head Coach: Doug Hubbard (35th, 217-1571). Preview: Page 22
Hurley Rebels Location: Hurley, Va. Home: Smiley Ratliff Field at The Cliff Seasons: 66 (1946-2016) Games: 617 Record: 280-323-14, 465 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 11-1 Head coach: Greg Tester (12th, 66-52) Preview: Page 20
James Monroe Mavericks
Preview: Page 18.
Location: Lindside, W.Va. Home: H.E. Comer Jr. Sports Complex Seasons: 24 (1994-2017) Games: 261 Record: 173-88, .663 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 11-2 Head coach: John Mustain (5th, 25-19)
Montcalm Generals
Location: Montcalm, W.Va. Home: Prudich Stadium Seasons: 23 (1995-2017) Games: 213 Record: 42-171, .197 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 2-7 Head coach: Jimmy Redmond, (7th, 15-41). Preview: Page 17
Mount View Golden Knights
Location: Blacksburg, Va. Home: Lane Stadium Seasons: 124 (1892-2017) Games: 1,212 Record: 715-451-46 (.609) Championships: 0 2016 Record: 10-3 Head coach: Justin Fuente (2nd, 10-4) Preview: Page 27
Location: Welch, W.Va. Home: Vic Nystrom Stadium Seasons: 40 (1978-2017) Games: 397 Record: 167-230, .421 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 5-5 Head coach: Larry Thompson (4th, 6-24) Preview: Page 12
Prep records provided by Rick Baker
C Y
M K
Narrows Green Wave
Location: Narrows, Va. Home: Ragsdale Field Seasons: 87 (1931-2017) Games: 836 Record: 422-386-28, .522 State Championships: 0
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 3
Concord Summers County Bobcats Hinton, W.Va. Mountain Lions Location: Home: Bill Garten Stadium Seasons: 101 (1911-2017, also Hinton) Games: 972 Record: 495-447-30, 525 State Championships: 2 2016 Record: 8-3 Head coach: Chris Vicars (first season) Preview: Page 23
2016 Record: 6-5 Head coach: Kelly Lowe (15th, 56-91) Preview: Page 14
PikeView Panthers Location: Gardner, W.Va. C M Home: Ben Disibbio Athletic Complex Y K Seasons: 24 (1994-2017) Games: 235 Record: 57-177, .247 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 2-8 Head coach: Bobby Wyatt (6th, 9-41) Preview: Page 11
Princeton Tigers Preview: Page 10
Location: Princeton, W.Va. Home: Hunnicutt Stadium Seasons: 94 (1924-2017) Games: 914 Record: 440-450-24, 495 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 5-5 Head coach: Chris Pedigo (first season)
Richlands Blue Tornado Location: Richlands, Va. Home: Ernie Hicks Stadium/Emats Field Seasons: 91 (1926-2017) Games: 914 Record: 522-356-34, .591 State Championships: 2 2016 Record: 13-2 Head coach: Greg Mance (21st, 186-62) Preview: Page 9
River View Raiders
Location: Bradshaw, W.Va. Home: Mitchell Estep Field Seasons: 8 (2010-17) Games: 74 Record: 32-41-1, .439 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 2-8 Head coach: Wayne Hall (first season) Preview: Page 13
Location: Athens, W.Va. Home: Callaghan Stadium Seasons: 95 (1922-2017) Games: 877 Record: 420-427-30 Championships: 0 2016 Record: 2-9 Head coach: Paul Price (2nd, 2-9) Preview: Page 30
Marshall Thundering Herd
Tazewell Bulldogs Location: Tazewell, Va. Home: Witten Field/Bulldog Stadium Seasons: 91 Games: 894 Record: 470-395-29, .542 State Championships: 1 2016 Record: 2-8 Head coach: J’me Harris (first season) Preview: Page 8
Twin Valley Panthers Location: Huntington, W.Va. Home: Joan CEdwards Stadium Seasons: 121 (1895-2017) Games: 1,154 Record: 574-532-48 (.518) Championships: 2 (1-AA) Head coach: Doc Holliday (8th,, 53-37) Preview: Page 28
West Virginia Mountaineers
Location: Morgantown, W.Va. Home: Milan-Puskar Stadium Seasons: 125 (1891-2017) Games: 1,267 Record: 737-485-45 (.599) Championships: 0 2016 Record: 10-3 Head coach: Dana Holgorsen (7th, 46-31) Preview: Page 26
Location: Pilgrim’s Knob, Va. Home: Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School Seasons: 17 (2011-2017) Games: 165 Record: 46-119, .279 State Championships: 0 2016 Record: 6-5 Head coach: Brian Moore (2nd, 6-5) Preview: Page 21
Wyoming East Warriors Location: New Richmond, W.Va. Home: The WarZone Seasons: 20 (1998-2017) Games: 204 Record: 104-100, .510 State Championships: 1 2016 Record: 3-7 Head coach: Donald Jewell (3rd, 6-14) Preview: Page 24 WVU 6th in Big 12
Concord 9th in MEC
Page 32
Page 34
Hokies 2nd, Cavs 7th in Coastal
Bluefield 6th in Appy Division
Page 33
Page 35
4 | Friday, August 25, 2017
BDT Blitz 2017 helps kick off the football season By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph Another season has arrived. What is expected from your favorite high school and regional college football teams? Hopefully our readers will get an idea over these 48 pages full of everything football. What follows is a 48-page supplement that should be a valuable resource throughout the season ahead. Keep it and use it for reference, and perhaps save it and check it out in future years. Ahhh, the memories. It includes previews of all 19 regional high schools and five college football teams, along with a look at the five conferences that those schools of higher learning call home. In addition, there are schedules, rosters, photos, players to watch and much more from the local high schools. We have added some history lessons for the various schools, compliments of local historian Rick Baker, who has provided all kinds of interesting nuggets related records, game scores, records against opponents and much more. The Daily Telegraph sports staff — which includes me, Tom Bone and George Thwaites — have traveled the two states to various schools to conduct interviews, take photos and get a feel for the games to be played. There have also been features completed on numerous teams and players leading up to opening night. That will continue throughout the season
Brian Woodson
Tom Bone
George Thwaites
ahead. We were joined by our staff photographers, Eric DiNovo and newcomer Jessica Nuzzo. Several correspondents have helped as well, including Lloyd Combs, Emily Ball, Anthony Stevens, and we also received support from Dan Stillwell and the photographers at the The Register-Herald in Beckley, Sam Bartley with The Virginia Mountaineer and Jerry Scott with the Bland County Messenger. Over the next four months we will do our best to bring you as much quality coverage as possible. Check out the print edition each week for plenty of football. There are other sports
taking place, but we will always provide features and game previews late in the week leading up to game days or nights. Ditto for clicking on www. bdtonline.com/sports, which will provide you additional sports coverage. Check the Daily Telegraph facebook page and the twitter accounts of the sports reporters as well. Coaches are urged, as always, to report your games to us. If a reporter from here isn’t at your game, please assign someone to call the office or drop an email to us with some pertinent information from your game. The direct number to the sports department is 304-3272813, but don’t call until after 3
p.m. Sports happen at night so we work in the late afternoons and nights. I like to sleep late in the mornings. We can also be reached at sports@bdtonline.com or you can send me a tweet @ bdtwoodson. If you have questions or concerns, please call and tell us. We will do our best to rectify whatever the situation might be. If you want to provide a compliment every once in a while, that would be nice soon. That happens about as often as Alabama losing a football game. The 2017 football season is ready to begin. Enjoy. Hopefully the 2017 BDT Blitz will help make a good one. Compiled by Brian Woodson
BDT Rankings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
West Virginia Bluefield James Monroe Mount View Princeton Summers County Wyoming East PikeView River View Montcalm
Virginia 1. Graham 2. Richlands 3. Giles 4. Grundy 5. Honaker 6, Narrows 7. Hurley 8. Tazewell 9. Bland County 10. Twin Valley
Overall Top 10 1. Graham 2. Richlands 3. Bluefield 4. Giles 5. James Monroe 6. Mount View 7. Grundy 8. Honaker 9. Summers County 10. Narrows
Local Division I Colleges
Local Division II, NAIA
1. Virginia Tech
1. Concord
2. West Virginia
2. Bluefield
3. Marshall 4. Marshall
2017 BDT BLITZ CONTENTS High Schools Bland County Bears......................16 Bluefield Beavers...........................6 Giles Spartans..............................15 Graham G-Men..............................7 Grundy Golden Wave....................19 Honaker Tigers.............................22 Hurley Rebels...............................20 James Monroe Mavericks............18 Montcalm Generals......................17 Mount View Golden Knights.........12 Narrows Green Wave...................14 PikeView Panthers.......................11 Princeton Tigers............................10 Richlands Blue Tornado.................9 River View Raiders........................13 Summers County Bobcats............23 Tazewell Bulldogs..........................8 Twin Valley Panthers....................21 Wyoming East Warriors...............24 Colleges Bluefield Rams.............................31 Concord Mountain Lions..............30 Marshall Thundering Herd............28 Virginia Cavaliers.........................29 Virginia Tech Hokies.....................27 West Virginia Mountaineers..........26 College Conference Previews ACC Preview................................33 Big 12 Preview..............................32 Conference USA Preview.............34 Mid-South Conference Preview....36 Mountain East Preview................35 The Rest Blitz Introduction............................4 Season Lookahead......................40 Week-By-Week Schedules...........47 High school facts pages....(several)
BDT BLITZ 2017 a product of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, a CNHI newspaper The Daily Telegraph sports staff: Brian Woodson bwoodson@bdtonline.com / Twitter @bdtwoodson Tom Bone tbone@bdtonline.com / Twitter @bdtbone George Thwaites gthwaites@bdtonline.com / Twitter @bdtthwaites Publisher: Randy Mooney Editor: Samantha Perry Sports Editor: Brian Woodson Cover Design: Leigh McVey Photographers: Eric DiNovo, Jessica Nuzzo Contributing reporters: Lloyd Combs, Anthony Stevens, The Lebanon News Dan Stillwell, The Register-Herald. Contributed photos: Emily Ball, Chris Jackson, Brad Davis, The Register-Herald, Anthony Stevens, The Lebanon News, Roger Shrewsbury, Jerry Scott, Bland County Messenger, Jennifer Cline. Contributing Stats: Rick Baker
B
Bluefield senior Mookie Collier
Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 5
Contributed file photo by Roger Shrewsbury
James Monroe’s Tripp Shiflet (now at Concord) File photo Blu
Contributed photo by Virginia Tech Athletics
Contributed photo by West Virginia Athletics
West Virginia QB Will Grier
6 | Friday, August 25, 2017
BLUEFIELD BEAVERS
The Games Aug. 25 Graham Sept 1 at Princeton Sept 8 at Woodrow Wilson Sept. 15 at Greenbrier East Sept. 21 (Thurs) Tazewell Sept. 29 Richlands Oct. 6 Point Pleasant Oct. 13 Man Oct. 20 at Oak Hill Oct. 27 James Monroe
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Beavers
Beavers intent on avoiding another losing season By TOM BONE Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — It’s been 15 years since Bluefield High School posted back-to-back losing seasons in football. The 47 members of this year’s squad are intent on avoiding similar infamy. Fred Simon, in his 32nd year
in charge of the Beavers, said about last fall’s 4-6 campaign, “We (coaches and players) all should have learned some lessons, and been able grow from it. I don’t think you’re ever too old not to grow from it.” The offense starts with halfback Mookie Collier and fullback Jason “Truck” Edwards, both of whom are talented seniors. Simon said, “They’ve
both worked hard, and we look for them to have a better year.” Sophomore J.J. Davis or senior Shamar Hairston could start at the other halfback spot, and junior Arnold Martin is valuable as a runner and a team leader. “We’ve got such good running backs,” Simon said. “We’re going to be able to run and throw the ball. But, man, I’m
BLAND STREET Auto
The
“I Want A Career!” College.
BLUEFIELD BEAVERS on your 2017 Season! www.blandstreetauto.com
To speak to an admissions counselor, view available degree programs or schedule a college tour, visit bluefieldstate.edu
1090387713
1810 Bland Street, Bluefield, WV
304-327-5025
Beavers, 38
More Programs More Degrees
GOOD LUCK
Go Beavers!
telling you, we’re definitely going to run the ball some. “We feel like, with Mookie and Truck, that we definitely should be able to run the ball pretty well, as long as our line will give them a hole.” The Beavers will have a new quarterback in the huddle for the third straight year.
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. 2 Ronnelle Blevins QB 5’9 174 3 Mookie Collier HB 5’11 170 4 Arnold Martin FB 6’0 218 5 Jason “Truck” Edwards FB 6’0 218 7 Chandler Cooper QB 6’0 174 8 Russ Coleman WR 5’10 170 9 Markeice Neal HB 5’8 147 10 Jahiem House WR 6’2 158 11 Kaulin Parris K 6’1 160 12 Carson Deeb QB 5’9 198 14 Isaiah Johnson WR 5’11 164 15 Kaden Meadows WR 6’0 141 16 Jacob Martin FB 5’6 148 18 Juwaun Green WR 5’7 124 19 Tyrese Hairston WR 5’2 113 20 Shamar Hairston HB 5’6 142 21 Drake Mullins E 6’3 207 22 Tony Webster HB 5’3 153 25 Kelsey Nichols WR 5’7 157 28 JJ Davis HB 6’1 190 30 Marcel McMillon WR 5’8 144 31 Mike Lane WR 5’6 132 32 Shawn Mitchell HB 5’4 144 33 Javontae Smith HB 5’9 139 35 Tyler Smith WR 5’7 137 40 Ethan Jordan E 5’8 136 42 Tyrek Robinson E 6’2 190 44 Logan Mounts E 5’9 167 50 Ross Simon C 5’5 154 53 Trey Parks C 5’9 264 54 Sean Martin T 6’4 199 55 Julius Gaddy C 5’11 229 57 Mason Walker T 6’5 269 58 Avery Jenkins T 5’5 146 59 John Duffy T 5’8 194 60 Elijah Ratcliff G 5’8 208 61 Bristol Thompson E 5’10 156 62 Chris Adams G 5’10 220 64 Elijah Powell T 5’6 234 65 Deiyantei Powell-Woods G 6’5 239 66 Nathan Pettus G 6’1 257 70 Matthews Peters T 6’7 309 72 Daevon Hairston T 5’11 288 73 Garrett Jordan T 5’10 199 76 Derick Flack T 6’4 306 78 Alahzjae Dowell G 5’9 279 79 Tyler Watson T 5’11 287
Reach g hts New Hei
West Virginia’s Most Affordable Tuition!
1090387707
Yr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Jr. Jr.
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 7
GRAHAM G-MEN
The Games Aug. 25 at Bluefield Sept. 1 Tazewell Sept. 8 Giles Sept. 22 Central-Wise Sept. 29 at Princeton Oct. 6 at Lebanon Oct. 12 (Thurs) Virginia High Oct. 20 at Richlands Oct. 27 at Fort Chiswell Nov. 3 at Marion
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
THE G-MEN
Graham eager to take next postseason step BLUEFIELD, Va. — Last season, Graham football regained its relevance in the VHSL big picture, posting an 11-2 record that ended in a playoff loss to eventual state runner-up Richlands. Now moving into his third season as head coach, Tony Palmer admits that the G-Men had significant injuries on the roster headed into the second and final meeting with the Blue Tornado. On the other hand, it’s not tough to imagine a more upbeat outcome for Graham at that point in the season had they been healthier. “I think the first Richlands game was our game to lose and we didn’t do what we were supposed to do. The second game we had men down who were hurt. (Richlands) was the better team at the time,” Palmer said. Just as in last season, a bright spotlight is shining on one of his returning seniors. Wide receiver Taymon Cooke has received 15 visits from Division I scouts and is already considering 12 offers, including bids from Michigan State,
West Virginia, the University of Virginia and James Madison. Last August, running back and safety Jamorya Cousin was the media lightning rod, going on to earn 2A first team honors as a running back with more than 1,500 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. Also a tremendous asset on the defensive side of the football, Cousin is now playing at Division II Virginia-Wise. Cousin’s absence in 2017 won’t necessarily tip the scales in favor of Cooke’s containment. Cameron Allen at quarterback, Jazaire Reed at running back and several other serious threats on the routes augur yet another explosive and diverse offensive attack. “I feel like it’s kind of the same as it was last year,” Cooke said. “I think we can be just as good as last year if not better.” Allen, who was a wild card playmaker as a receiver and kick returner last year, won the role he’s coveted for quite some time. He’s an exceptional athlete. He knows the system. And he is acutely aware of how good the guys who surround him are. “Taking over at quarterback is a job that I’ve been look-
ing forward to. I just like the leadership that comes with it. Taking over a team and leading it is something I’ve been looking toward my whole life. I like to score a lot. I like to make plays a lot. We’ve got a D-I athlete and I want to get him the ball as much as possible,” said Allen, who noted that he and Cooke frequently met at the practice field this summer to work on their mutual timing for hours on end. In addition to Cooke, Allen can throw to Ty Gray and Bluefield transfer Devin Lester. The offensive line that is “ahead of schedule” is led by seniors Ajai Oakes and Eric Workman. “Cam is about 6’2, almost 6’3. We don’t have to move him as much he can make all the throws from the pocket. He has good ball skills as far as ball fakes and West things like that.
He gets rid of the ball fast. He fits us,” said Palmer, who noted Allen also provides a running threat. “Jazaire is what I’d call a bowling ball type running back. He’s not very tall but he’s really thick and he runs hard. He’s a good football player as well. He scored 10 touchdown for us. He’s familiar with what it takes to score. He’s also really stepped things up on his blocking. And he’s always had great hands. He can catch the ball pretty well.”
Graham, 38
RB/DB 5’5 120 Fr. RB/LB 5’8 220 Jr. QB/DB 5’10 165 So. WR/DB 6’1 170 Sr. WR/DB 5’8 120 So. RB/LB 5’10 160 So. RB/PK 6’0 160 Sr. RB/DB 6’1 145 Fr. QB/DB 6’2 180 Jr. RB/LB 6’0 195 So. RB/LB 6’2 170 So. WR/DB 5’11 155 So. RB/LB 6’0 160 So. WR/LB 6’0 180 Sr. RB/DB 5’1 100 Fr. RB/LB 6’1 180 So. RB/LB 6’1 165 So. RB/DB 5’9 160 So. WR/DB 5’11 185 Sr. WR/DB 6’5 210 Jr. RB/DB 5’11 155 So. RB/LB 5’9 215 Fr. FB/LB 6’2 220 Sr. WR/DB 5’7 130 Fr. WR/DB 5’10 140 So. WR/DB 5’4 170 Jr. WR/DB 5’8 145 So. OL/LB. 5’10. 215. Sr. OL/LB 5’10. 175. Fr. OL/DL. 5’11. 205 Jr. OL/DL 5’11 180 Fr. OL/DL 6’0 185 So. OL/DL 5’10 185 So. OL/DL 6’1 215 Sr. OL/DL 6’1 285 Fr. OL/DL 6’7 240 Jr. OL/DL 5’9 225 Jr. OL/DL 6’2 225 So. OL/DL 5’11 225 Jr. OL/DL 6’0 220 Sr. OL/DL 6’0 240 Sr. OL/DL 6’2 280 So. OL/DL 6’1 250 Sr. OL/DL 5’8 150 Jr. OL/DL 5’11 305 Fr.
More Programs More Degrees
The
“I Want A Career!” College.
To speak to an admissions counselor, view available degree programs or schedule a college tour, visit bluefieldstate.edu
Reach g hts New Hei
Virginia’s Most Affordable Tuition!
1090387706
By GEORGE THWAITES Bluefield Daily Telegraph
1 Trey Knowles 3 Jazaire Reed 4. Devin Lester 5. Taymon Cooke 6. Nathaniel Martin 7. Colton Wimmer 8. Zachariah Curto 9. Caleb Bauer 10. Cameron Allen 11. Peyton Kiser 12. Donald Carbaugh 14. Mason Manefee 15. Trent Sagady 16. Ty Gray 17. Ronnie Worth 19. Issac Dalton 20. Isaiah Justice 21. Ethan Warburton 22. Jalen Wheeler 23. Ricky White 24. Shane White 25. Juvonta Reed 29. Dante Vineyard 30. Timothy Steele 31. Danny Dales 34. Jayden Hearn 43. Jacob Hounshell 45. Michael Mason 50. Ashton Kestner 52. Mason Raley 53. Nicholas Holland 54. Nicholas Kastner 55. Tyler Brewster 57. Nicholas DiMarzo 60. Landon Cartwright 62. Gabriel Sesco 64. Noah Bennett 66. John Cooper 72. Thomas Wimmer 73. Eric Workman 74. Michael Garrow 77. Kaylin Carson 78. Ajai Oakes 79. Steven Gaboriault 99. Luke Jennelle
8 | Friday, August 25, 2017
TAZEWELL BULLDOGS
The Games Aug. 25 at Virginia High Sept. 1 at Graham Sept. 8 at River View Sept. 15 at Marion Sept. 21 (Thurs) at Bluefield Sept. 29 Hurley Oct. 6 Richlands Oct. 13 Fort Chiswell Oct. 27 Grundy Nov. 3 Lebanon
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs
Bulldogs working to get better each day TAZEWELL, Va. — No team was more exciting to watch last season than the Tazewell Bulldogs. They scored 69 and 50 points in their two wins, but also allowed 62 and 43 in those same games. The Bulldogs would like to mix a little excitement with a few more wins, having gone 2-8 last season in the final season under Shane Allen. “Things are going good. The kids are working extremely hard. What we are trying to do is just attack the day,
have a good attitude and try to get better every day,” said Tazewell first-year head coach J’me Harris, who is also the girls basketball coach for the Bulldogs. “As long as you are working hard and doing things the right way we feel like winning will take care of itself eventually.” Numbers aren’t a strength for the Bulldogs, with just 28 on the roster, and the schedule isn’t kind, with the first five games this season on the road. “We started out with 32. We are not going to waver from our core beliefs from what we
believe will make Tazewell a good football team just to improve the quantity,” Harris said. “We have got what we feel is 28 football players...We are not going to use that as an excuse. That is going to be our rallying cry. Our low numbers compared to the other two Tazewell County schools is a rallying cry, our schedule, we are going to make people believers in Tazewell football.” Three of the departed seniors are playing at the college level, including quarterback T.J. Kitts, who is a walk-on at Virginia. Much of what is
left will be young, but are some skilled athletes available, with Cade Myers and Jamere Blevins competing behind center, while Derrick Young, Chancellor Harris and Nathan Boutin working to replace the 1,000-plus yards gained last season by Israel Harris. Hunter O’Quinn will be the fullback. The Dogs also lost four offensive linemen and their leading wide receiver, but do have speed on the onside with Mason Mullins, Trae Thompson and Lucas Honaker. “We will have to slow down the learning curve here a little
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. WR/DB 5’10 150 So. WR/DB 5’10 145 Fr. RB/LB 6’1 175 Sr. WR/LB 6’0 160 Fr. QB/DB 5’9 175 So. RB/LB 6’0 180 Fr. RB/DB 5’8 160 Fr. WR/DB 6’1 170 Jr. WR/DB 5’10 154 Sr. WR’DB 5’10 145 Fr. QB/DB 5’10 175 Fr. WR/DB 5’9 135 So. RB/LB 5’9 152 Jr. WR/DB 5’5 150 So. WR/DB 6’1 145 Sr. WR/DB 5’11 155 Jr. WR/DB 6’0 155 So. FB/LB 5’10 215 Sr. OL/DL 5’9 215 So. OL/DL 5’11 240 So. OL/LB 5’10 190 So. OL/DL 5’4 179 So. OL/DL 6’2 250 Jr. OL/DL 6’0 180 Jr. OL/DL 6’1 210 Jr. OL/DL 5’10 205 Fr. OL/DL 6’5 250 Fr. OL/DL 6’3 321 Sr.
bit. We are going to be very young, replacing a lot of parts,” Harris said. “I think we are as athletic as that group was, we are just young. That is what that will come down too. We may have to change some things up to get our athletes in space.” Matt Witt, who weighs 320 pounds and can squat nearly
Bulldogs, 41
Flowers On Main
GO BULLDOGS
Moving in Autumn
300 E. Main St., Tazewell, VA 24651 • (276) 979-4006
1090387743
By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph
No. Name 1 Lucas Honaker 2 Josiah Jordan 3 Derrick Young 4 Gavin Nunley 5 Cade Myers 6 Jayden Taylor 7 Chancellor Harris 8 Trae Thompson 10 Mason Mullins 14 Tanner Wimmer 15 Jamir Blevins 16 Jayden Adams 20 Nathan Boutin 22 Gabe Webb 23 Nick Blevins 24 Jared Janutolo 25 Kaleb Hurd 33 Hunter O’Quinn 52 Cameron Taylor 53 Chandler McDonald 54 Isaiah Rife 55 Mikael Mosley 58 Tristan Tulluck 66 Marcus Sluss 68 Barry Sluss 70 Travis Brewster 73 Josh Herndon 75 Matt Witt
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 9
RICHLANDS BLUE TORNADO
The Games Aug. 25 Gate City Sept. 1 at Union Sept. 15 Blacksburg Sept. 22 William Byrd Sept. 29 at Bluefield Oct. 6 at Tazewell Oct. 13 at Marion Oct. 20 Graham Oct. 27 at Lebanon Nov. 3 Virginia High
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Blue Tornado
Richlands focused on finishing this season By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph RICHLANDS, Va. — Thirteen straight seasons with at least nine wins is not easy to do. Don’t count out 14 in 2017, but the Blues will certainly be challenged, starting with the opening five games of the season. “We are going to be 0-5 if we are not ready. Our kids understand that and I think they like the challenge,” Richlands
head coach Greg Mance said. “We tell them to be one of the top programs in the state of Virginia year in and year out you want to play the best people, it is a measuring stick. You measure yourself by beating quality people. It is nice to get 9 or 10 wins a year, but we have always tried to put a good schedule out there and play the best people... “It is one week at a time. We have got to get better as a football team. I really feel by sea-
son’s end we will have a really, really good football team.” They did last season, finishing 13-2, falling to Appomattox in the 2A state championship game. Lots of talent was lost to graduation, but what else is new. Name a position and Mance is confident in their abilities to get the job done, especially on the offensive line and the front seven on defense. “We have a pretty good offensive line. We have four starters
back in there with Luke Hyder, Jason Medley, Neil Carini and Logan McGlothlin. Those guys are doing a really good job and we are excited about their potential. It is going to be a really good unit,” Mance said.. “Defensively, we are very, very 72 75 78 80 81 85 87 88
Zack Moore Logan McGlothlin Ethan Phipps Jake Absher Stephen Mullins Dalton Smith Evan McNerlin Hayden Whited
Richlands, 41 OL/DL 5’10 250 Jr. OL/DE 6’4 230 Sr. OL/DL 6’2 240 So. TE/LB 6’2 195 So. TE/DE 6’3 235 Sr. WR/DB 5’8 140 Fr. WR/DB 5’7 135 Fr. TE/LB 6’3 210 So.
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 1 Daniel Brown WR/DB 6’1 170 Sr. 2 Trey Brown QB 5’11 200 Jr. 3 Tre Booker WR/DB 5’10 190 So. 4 Josh Connor WR/DB 5’11 150 Sr. 5 Logan Steele RB/LB 6’1 155 Fr. 6 Race Moir QB//LB 6’2 210 Jr. 7 Logan Altizer WR/DB 5’10 140 So. 8 Andrew Dye TE/DL 6’3 26- Sr. 9 Colton Medley QB/DE 6’3 200 So. 11 Ian Wade WR/DB 6’3 180 Jr. 12 William Tarter WR/DB 5’9 150 So. 13 Noah Spencer WR/DB 5’7 135 Fr. 14 Jake Altizer WR/LB 5’7 140 Fr. 15 Cainan Goodman WR/LB 5’10 145 Fr. 16 Bowen Tarter WR/LB 5’7 160 Fr. 17 Gage Matney WR/LB 5’6 150 So. 21 Jakob Cole WR/DB 6’5 185 Jr. 23 Taylor Horn WR/DB 6’2 180 Jr. 24 Anthony Bisaha RB/LB 5’9 195 Fr. 25 Jacob Hess WR/DB 5’9 160 Jr. 27 Hunter Grepiotis K/P 5’7 160 So. 30 Dylan Casey RB/DB 5’9 170 So. 31 Ben Matney WR/DB 5’8 155 So. 33 Levi Forrest K/P 6’3 150 So. 34 James White RB/LB 5’9 180 Sr. 35 Blake Casey WR/DB 5’9 160 Fr. 37 Dylan Adkins WR/DB 6’3 215 Jr 40 Nick Houchins WR/DB 6’1 150 So. 42 Isaac Griffith TE/LB 6’0 180 So. 44 Seth Johnson RB/LB 6’1 215 Sr. 45 Greg Griffith RB/DT 5’10 220 Sr. 50 David Compton OL/DL 5’11 155 Fr. 51 Austin Martin OL/DL 5’7 180 So. 52 Marcus Smith OL/LB 6’1 200 Sr. 53 Jacob Puckett OL/DL 5’6 160 So. 55 Logan Justus OL/LB 6’1 225 Sr. 56 Luke Hyder OL/DL 6’2 260 Sr. 58 Thomas Blankenship OL/DL 6’3 215 So. 59 Jason Medley OL/DL 6’1 260 Sr. 60 Isaac Shortt OL/DL 5’10 210 Fr. 61 Landon Anders OL/DL 5’10 200 So. 64 Schuyler Howell OL/DL 5’6 150 So. 66 Dakotah Street OL/DL 5’10 210 So. 67 Brandon Harrison OL/DL 5’10 185 Sr. 70 Neil Carini OL/DL 6’2 260 Sr. 71 Luke Martin OL/DL 6’0 215 So.
Good Luck To All Teams!
Go Richlands!
276-964-2511 • Clinch St., Richlands
1090387781
10 | Friday, August 25, 2017
PRINCETON TIGERS
The Games Aug. 25 at Buck-non-Upshur Sept. 1 Bluefield Sept. 15 Parkersburg South Sept. 22 Musselman Sept. 29 Graham Oct. 6 at Oak Hill Oct. 13 at James Monroe Oct. 20 Wheeling Park Oct. 27 at Greenbrier East Nov. 3 at Brooke
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers
Tigers comprised of lots of new faces By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph PRINCETON — The triple-option will return to Princeton this season. Figuring out who will run that offense remains to be seen. “I am not giving any predictions. My thing is what I am preaching to these guys is we are going to get better every week,” said Princeton head coach Chris Pedigo, who is the third head coach in four seasons for the Tigers. “If we
get better every week we are going to surprise some teams. When you look at that schedule you have got to be good every week. What we are trying to do is obviously find the guys and put them in the right roles and just continue to get better.” Not only did Wes Eddy depart after two seasons for East Fairmont, but a slew of talented seniors also departed, leaving plenty of holes for Pedigo to fill. There is potential, even if the names are still waiting to be revealed on Friday nights.
“We are so young, we feel like if we go through the weeks, what I am preaching is we are going to get better every week,” said Pedigo, who is excited about the addition of strength coach Tracy Sibley to the staff. “I feel like with a young team, once we get through that second half of the season I feel like we are going to scare some teams. That is my goal, that is what we want.” The triple-option requires blocking skills, and the Tigers have those, led by tackles
Have a Safe Season!
Princeton Rescue Squad 304-425-4077
www.princetonrescue.com
Serving Mercer County Since 1961.
1090387710
Vaughn Thacker and Drew Perkins, center Tanner Cline and the guard trio of Corey Nelson, A.J. Keen and Jakeb Lilly. They’ll be opening holes for a quartet of backs, including Cameron Shumate, PikeView transfer Davon Sibley, Trey Taylor and Justin Akers. Jacob Holston, Aaron Edwards and Joe Barton will
Tigers, 41
81 Ali Abdelwahed 82 Brady Martin 84 Ethan Ball 88 Allen Thompson -- Evan Bailey
WR/DE 5’11 185 So. WR/DE 6’0 185 So. WR/DB 5’6 137 Fr. WR/DE 5’7 175 Jr. OL/DL 6’4 240 So.
1 Chiron Cannady 2 Cameron Shumate 3 Devon Sibley 4 Justin Akers 5 Jacob Holston 6 Trey Taylor 7 AJ Jenkins 8 Dailen Defoe 9 Tanner Powers 10 Ranson Graham 12 Khayman York 15 Darrell Barnes 19 Gibson Varney 20 Tyler Robinson 21 Josiah Honaker 22 Nick Whittington 23 Aaron Edwards 25 Taylor Collins 26 Ethan Goode 27 Dustin Frazier 28 Devin Vest 29 Brennan Anderson 30 Ethan Parsons 32 Chase Carty 33 Amir Powell 36 Dawson Cline 40 Nick Debusk 42 Joe Barton 43 Tyler Collins 45 DJ Berkholtz 47 Corbin Davis 48 Kyle Neal 50 Jaylin Gore 51 Cornelius Thomas 52 Corey Nelson 56 Malachi Cooper 60 Ben Beckner 62 Tanner Cline 63 Tyler Farley 64 Dylan Cordle 65 Ricky Sawyers 67 Vaughn Thacker 70 Josiah Gore 73 AJ King 75 Jakeb Lilly 78 Drew Perkins
WR/DB 6’2 170 Jr. RB/DB 6’5 145 Jr. RB/LB 5’11 185 Sr. RB/DB 5’7 170 Jr. FB/LB 6’0 220 Jr. RB/DB 5’9 145 So. WR/DB 6’0 165 So. QB/DB 5’10 145 Fr. WR/LB 5’9 165 So. QB/DB 5’9 175 So. QB/LB 5’10 200 Jr. WR/DE 6’3 175 Jr. QB/LB 5’10 177 So. WR/DB 5’7 140 So. RB/DB 6’11 155 Fr. K 5’9 175 So. FB/LB 5’11 230 So. WR/DB 5’10 160 So. RB/DB 5’8 140 Fr. WR/DB 5’10 140 Fr. FB/LB 5’9 165 So. WR/LB 5’10 210 Jr. RB/DB 6’2 160 Fr. WR/DB 6’0 170 Sr. FB/DB 5’11 150 Fr. RB/LB 6’10 170 So. RB/LB 5’6 170 Sr. FB/LB 6’0 200 Jr. WR/DB 5’9 135 So. OL/DE 5’11 180 Sr. WR/DE 6’2 180 Sr. WR/LB 6’0 155 So. OL/DE 5’11 184 So. OL/LB 5’10 200 So. OL/LB 6’0 245 Jr. OL/DT 6’0 290 So. OL/DT 5’7 190 Fr. OL/DT 5’11 280 Sr. OL/DT 5’11 225 Fr. OL/DE 6’1 180 So. OL/DT 6’5 320 Sr. OL/DE 6’3 220 Sr. OL/DT 5’11 240 So. OL/DT 6’1 210 Jr. OL/DT 5’11 270 Jr. OL/DE 6’0 250 Sr.
Good Luck to the Tigers and new Head Coach Chris Pedigo!
Make 2017 one to Remember! 1090387708
PIKEVIEW PANTHERS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 11 The Games
Aug. 25 at Summers County 7 p.m. Sept. 1 Independence 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Liberty 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 James Monroe 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Shady Spring 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 Fayetteville 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Wyoming East 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at River View 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Mount View 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Nicholas County 7:30 p.m.
THE PANTHERS
PikeView fortunes beginning to turn By GEORGE THWAITES Bluefield Daily Telegraph GARDNER — Head football coach Bobby Wyatt has few illusions about singlehandedly turning PikeView into a football school. He has been around the game too long to be that unrealistic. “PikeView has only had a couple of winning seasons in 20-some odd years of playing. Football has not been the sport here. It’s not like you take four basketball schools and
put them together and make a football school out of them, Wyatt said. Turning the Panthers into a competitive football team? That’s an objective worth pursuing. “I think it’s starting maybe to turn that way in the sense that we’ve got kids whose parents played the game. That makes a difference sometime,” Wyatt said. “There’s a big possibility we could be .500 or above and it’s all going to come down to
how healthy we can stay,” said Wyatt, whose squad finished 2-8 last season. “You put us on paper. We’re O.K. It comes down to playing four quarters and doing that game in and game out. The first four or five games we play are just brutal for us. We’ve got to stay healthy,” he said. This will be the first season since Wyatt came to PikeView that he’ll have a veteran group of juniors and seniors. At least one of his returning skill leaders — quarterback Hunter
Good Luck to the
RB/DB 5’10 150 Fr. QB/LB 5’11 180 Sr. WR/DB 5’7 120 Fr. QB/DB 5’9 145 So. WR/DB 5’11 135 Fr. QB/LB 5’10 150 Jr. RB/LB 5’10 170 So. RB/LB 6’0 170 Jr. FB/LB 5’8 155 Jr. RB/LB 5-9 160 So. WR/DB 5’9 140 Sr. FB/LB 5’8 150 Fr. RB/DE 6’0 145 Fr. RB/LB 5’10 190 Jr. WR/LB 5’10 165 Jr. OL/DL 5’11 235 Sr. OL/DL 5’9 220 So. OL/DL 5’11 230 Jr. OL/DL 6’1 190 Fr. OL/DL. 6’2 240 Jr. OL/DL 5’8 180 Fr. OL/LB 6’2. 235 Sr. OL/DL 5’10 200 Jr. OL/DL 6’2 215 Jr. OL/DL 6’1 220 So. OL/DL 5’8 190 Fr. OL/DL 6’0 225 Sr. OL/DL 6’0 230 Sr. OL/DL 6’3 265 So. WR/DB 5’10 180 Sr. WR/DB 5’9 170 Jr. WR/DB 5’9 135 So.
back in any role “We missed Hunter last year. He wasn’t originally our quarterback. In the offense we run, he was our punch it up the middle guy who gave you a extra yard or two after the hit,” Wyatt said. “We’re looking for
PikeView, 43
GO PIKEVIEW PANTHERS
Pikeview Panthers
Hear the crowd roar with
& All Area Teams
Hear Again
Princeton Health Care Center
Stafford Drive, Princeton 304-487-0821 or 888-692-0821 Call today for FREE Consultation
1090387783
Courthouse Rd. Princeton WV 304-487-3458
Mitchelson — is a testimony to how injuries sent things sideways last year. He was the starting fullback. Then he was the starting quarterback. Then he was gone. “Last year they had me playing backup quarterback at first and the situation came up that I had to play quarterback. Last season I was out for about eight games,” said Mitchelson, who had three or four stress fractures in his foot. As far as Wyatt is concerned, it’s good to have Mitchelson
2 Samuel Fletcher 7 Hunter Mitchelson 11 Jacob Delp 10 Ethan Begovich 12 Nick Holbert 20 Christian Phillips 27 Michael Whittaker 32 Jacob Honaker 33 William Duncan 36 Chase Conner 39 Matt Carter 42 Blake Stauffer 43 Brayden Fleeman 44 Evan Rose 45 Devyn Burley 51 Dakota Mullins 52 Ronald Helsel 53 Jacob Hutchinson 54 Chase Roberts 55 Logan Price 56 Dominick Broughton 62 Matt Damewood 67 Tyler Tiller 69 Jordan Vaught 70 Tanner Hazelwood 71 Brent Meadows 72 Trey White 77 Josh Williams 79 Logan Krauss 80 Dylan Helmandollar 81 Brian Keen 82 Josh Baldwin
Significant discounts may be available through your supplemental insurance . All participation insurances are accepted including UMWA and WorkerComp.
12 | Friday, August 25, 2017
MOUNT VIEW GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Games Aug. 25 River View Sept. 1 Man Sept. 8 at Oak Hill Sept. 15 Summers County Sept. 22 at Point Pleasant Sept. 29 at Notre Dame Oct. 6 at Tolsia Oct. 13 Tug Valley Oct. 20 PikeView Oct. 27 at Meadow Bridge
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Golden Knights
Knights eyeing return to postseason WELCH — Mount View football, loaded with 18 seniors, is poised for a Class A run. “I’m excited for this year,” fourth-year head coach Larry Thompson said. “I’m just excited for the potential we have. We have a large number (of players), and the depth is there. All the pieces are there. We’ve just got to put it together.” The Golden Knights barely missed the playoffs last year with a 5-5 mark. Three of last spring’s graduates went on to college football, including star running back Joseph Hayes. Thompson said, “We have a stable of running backs that’ll get the job done, collectively. ... They’re stepping into those shoes of Joseph Hayes, and showing everybody across the state that, ‘Hey, he’s good, but I’m good, too.” Damicko King looks to be the chief inheritor of those shoes, with Elijah Barner, Terry Headen and Kamal Collins ready to contribute to the spread offense. Freshman Ryan Short is “very tough” as well, Thompson said. Senior co-captain Elijah Collier is Mount View’s athletic quarterback, a cool leader and a constant threat either to run or pass.
Thompson said, “This year, we’re really going to try to exploit a lot of defenses, with the athleticism from the running back spot, the quarterback spot to the receiver position.” Among the receivers is 6-foot8 Aaric Gross. Dakota Waldron stretches the field from the slot position, and Marqus Ray is “real quick, real shifty, with very, very sound hands,” Thompson said. Jasauni Sizemore tops the depth chart at wideout due to his “blazing speed,” according to the coach. Headen, Malik Cowans and freshman Caleb Lawson provide other outside threats. The offensive line, anchored by rock-solid center Mark Horn, is among the team’s strong suits. A pair of seniors, Tyler Lester and Ryan Thompson, start at guards. Fred Minco returns for his senior year at right tackle. The left tackle spot could be filled by 280-pound freshman Aaron Jackson, reliable sophomore Micah “Woogie” McLaughlin, or senior Ty Powell. Larry Thompson said Powell could start at tight end, calling him the “best athlete on our team, hands down ... a freak-of-nature athlete.” The coaching staff hopes to rotate “eight or nine” on the
defensive line, which is built around returning starters Jashawn Collins and Horn at tackles, and Powell at end. Justin Lanier is the other starter at end. Among the younger players, Thompson said, “There are three or four freshmen defensive linemen who are very huge, pushing 300 pounds, that can really move. They’ll give us a play or two at a time (and) if you can keep fresh bodies in there, the whole game, that’ll wear the offensive line down.” The linebacking unit is “probably our strongest position” on defense, Thompson said. Barner, the middle backer, is the team’s defensive captain in his junior year. McLaughlin is also an inside l i n e b a c k e r, flanked by Ryan Thompson and probably Headen at outside LBs. Two sophomores return at the corner, Matt Thompson and Sizemore. Tyler Rotenberry
and Cole Anderson are the safeties, and Headen will drop back from linebacker in some schemes. Aaron Pendry has assumed the punting chores. The kicking game in early August was still a wide open competition including Barner, Headen and freshman Cody Muncy. “The schedule is tough, but that’s what it needs to be,” Thompson said. “We’ll be battle-tested.”
75 Ty Powell 76 Carter Bolden 78 Cody England 80 Cody Muncy 83 Jordan Franklin 84 Blake Mitchem 95 Justin Lanier 99 Justin Hicks
OL-DL 6’3 200 Sr. OL-DL 5’5 240 Fr. OL-DL 5’11 180 Fr. WR-CB 5’10 155 Fr. SB-CB 5’6 130 Sr. WR-CB 6’1 140 Fr. OL-DE 6’2 190 Sr. OL-DL 5’6 170 Fr.
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. SB-CB 5’9 150 Sr. WR-CB 5’11 175 Sr. QB 5’11 165 Sr. WR-CB 5’10 150 Jr. SB-QB 5’8 140 So. QB 5’11 150 Fr. WR-S 6’8 190 Sr. TE-DL 6’0 230 Jr. SB-RB-S 5’7 150 Fr. RB-Util 5’8 150 Sr. SB-DL 6’1 145 Fr. WR-CB 6’0 150 So. WR-CB 5’10 160 Jr. WR-CB 6’0 160 Jr. SB-S 5’10 155 Jr. SB-S 5’9 155 Sr. RB-LB 5’9 170 So. RB-OLB 5’8 160 Jr. Util-LB 5’9 150 So. RB-LB 5’11 205 Sr. RB-LB 5’10 235 Jr. RB-LB 5’10 165 Fr. RB-S 5’10 160 Fr. RB-DL 5’8 180 Fr. FB-LB 5’6 165 Fr. TE--DL 6’1 210 Sr. TE-DL 6’4 220 Jr. RB-LB 5’5 140 Fr. RB-DL 5’10 190 Jr. RB-LB 5’9 175 Sr. OL-DL 5’11 220 Sr. OL-DL 6’2 290 Sr. RB-LB 5’10 200 Sr. OL-LB 6’0 225 Jr. OL-DL 6’0 230 Sr. OL-DL 6’0 250 Sr. OL-DL 6’2 220 Fr. OL-DL 5’9 180 Fr. OL-DL 5’10 220 Sr. OL-DL 5’8 210 Jr. OL-DL 5’6 180 Fr. OL-DL 5’8 200 Fr. OL-DL 6’2 185 Fr. OL-DL 6’1 230 Jr. DL 5’5 300 Fr. OL-DL 5’11 280 Fr.
GOOD LUCK MOUNT VIEW GOLDEN KNIGHTS!
CITIZENS PHARMACY
70 Wyoming Street • Welch • WV
304-436-4932
Shawn Jenkins, Pharmacist/Owner
1090387709
By TOM BONE Bluefield Daily Telegraph
No. Name 1 Dakota Waldron 2 Michael McNeely 3 Elijah Collier 4 Malik Cowans 5 Marqus Ray 6 Jesse Rose 7 Aaric Gross 8 Jashawn Collins 9 Jimmy Moore 10 Jaedon Powell 11 Caleb Lawson 12 Jasauni Sizemore 15 Aaron Pendry 17 Darrick Scott 20 Cole Anderson 21 Tyler Rotenberry 22 Matt Thompson 23 Terry Headen 25 Amare Brown 28 Demicko King 30 Elijah Barner 32 Ryan Short 33 Eliki Barner 34 Levone Stephens 35 Anthony Rochetti 40 Josh Mitchem 41 Landon Roberts 42 Jahari Parsons 44 Kamal Collins 45 Timmy Carr 50 Tanner Sparks 51 Fred Minco 54 Ryan Thompson 55 Micah McLaughlin 56 Tyler Lester 57 Braden Beaver 58 Phillip Lucian 60 Omarion Cummings 63 Rashawn Baker 65 Mark Horn 66 Bradi Marrs 67 Sam Shrewsbury 68 Nate Hargrave 70 Brandon Evans 73 Trey Banks OL- 74 Aaron Jackson
RIVER VIEW RAIDERS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 13 The Games Aug. 25 at Mount View Sept. 8 Tazewell Sept. 15 Hurley Sept. 22 at Man Sept. 29 Wyoming East Oct. 6 Montcalm Oct. 13 PikeView Oct. 20 at Westside Oct. 27 Sherman Nov. 3 at Grundy
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Raiders
Hall accepts challenge at River View By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BRADSHAW — Wayne Hall spent a pair of four-year stints as head coach at Hurley, with his last season being in 2005. Twelve years later, Hall is back on the sidelines, this time replacing Gehrig Justice as head coach at River View. “It is a challenge. I always like taking these kids and making them the best possible players out of them,” Hall said. “As long as they give me 110 percent I will make a ball player out of them.” River View has more than 50 of those ball players on the roster, a number that pleased Hall, who takes over a program that finished 2-8 last year, and won just five games over the previous three campaigns. “We have got 50 kids on the roster. Last year I think we had in the high-20s or low-30s. We have got a lot of freshmen so we have a lot to work with,” said Hall, who was eagerly anticipating the preseason scrimmages. “If we can just get this thing started and let them see where they are at, I think they will be satisfied right now with where they are at.” Don’t expect anything fancy. Hall, who played at Emory & Henry College, is holding no secrets from the opposition. “Run, run, run. That is our main objective this year is running the ball and establishing
doing that, going 80 yards and put it in the end zone,” said Hall, who has put the offense in the hands of coordinator Brad Hardy, with the defense run by George Kennedy. “Occasionally we will throw a wrinkle at them, but we have got to establish a running game. We have got the backs to do it.” They include Josh McCoy, who shared quarterback reps last season with this year’s starter Dalton “Boo” Roberts. Joining McCoy in carrying the football will be Jacob Justice and Josh Walker, along with speedy sophomores Jeremiah Johnson and Bradley Coleman. “Boo was a freshman last year. Hopefully as he progresses along, he is making progressions and learn to read and once he starts doing that he works really good, turning those shoulders and doing all that mechanic work that a quarterback should do, he should be all right,” Hall said. “Right now I am pretty good at running back. I thought at first we were going to be strong on the offensive line. The defensive line, we can go 2 or 3 deep, the offensive line right now, I am only about one deep. That is the reason we have got to get them in shape and make sure they know what they are doing.” That unit will run behind an offensive line led by Dakota Cline and Blake Lockhart,
Josh McCoy
File photo
along with Ryan Roberts, Colton Kennedy, Gabe Blankenship and Jacob Hicks. Jonathen Hatcher, Austin Brewer, Michael Fannin and Austin Proffitt will see time at receiver, while the tight ends will be Bobby Creed, Shawn Mullins and Skyler Payne. “Right now Coach Hardy is doing my offense and he has done an exceptional job. He works with the line and he is teaching them right now,” Hall
said. “Coach Kennedy does my defense and it is an oldstyle defense. It is smack you in the mouth and see how they respond to it. I have been well pleased with how the coaches have been handling and trying to get our personnel set up and making sure everybody knows where they are going to and responsibilities and all that. I have been well pleased with it.” Stopping the run will be the focus on defense, with the Raiders utilizing a 5-2 set-up to force teams to throw the football. Leading the Raider defense will be second team all-team all-state linebacker Ryan Roberts, along with Colton Kennedy. Blankenship will clog the middle at nose tackle, with Bradley Mullins and Dustin Roberts at tackles, while the ends will be Justice, Shawn Mullins and Seth Perkins. McCoy and Walker will be joined by Hatcher and Walter Rutherford at safeties. Robert Baker and Proffitt are among the candidates at cornerback. “That is me. 5-2, smack them in the mouth and play ball. That is what I want these guys’ mentality to be,” Hall said. “I mean go out there no matter who the opponent is across from him, I want them to know that I am here to play. If they can get that mentality we are going to be OK. If we don’t get that, then it could be another trying year for us.”
No. Name 3 Josh McCoy 4 Josh Walker 6 Jeremiah Mitchell 7 Dalton Roberts 8 Austin Brewer 9 Ronnie Morgan 10 Jacob Collins 11 Jonathan Hatcher 12 Hunter Ritchie 13 Austin Proffitt 14 Austin Cooper 15 Cody Vance 20 Seth Perkins 21 Walter Rutherford 24 Shawn Mullins 25 Michael Fannin 26 Jimmy McReynolds 28 Bradley Coleman 30 Dustin Saunders 32 Jacob Justice 33 Brandon Roberts 34 Robert Baker 40 Bradley Mullins 42 Skyler Payne 43 Jacob Stiltner 44 Keyvon Dale 45 Cody Hicks 50 Billy Honaker 51 Jacob Hicks 52 Ryan Roberts 53 Dakota Cline 55 Colton Kennedy 57 Gabe Coleman 61 Gabe Blankenship 62 Jordan Jones 64 Blake Lockhart 65 Dustin Roberts 66 Austin Anderson 69 Michael Racer 70 Gabe Pruitt 71 Logan Kennedy 72 Andrew Walker 73 Cody Waddell 74 Brandon Rowe 75 Ethan Riffe 76 Chris Kendrick 80 Kenneth Dale 81 Cody Osborne 83 Creed Morgan 86 Cody Mullins
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. HB/S 5’11 91 Sr. WB/S 5’8 144 Jr. HB/LB 5’8 185 So. QB/S 5’9 122 So. WR/CB 5’7 136 Sr. WB//DE 6’4 204 Sr. HB/CB 5’11 152 Jr. WR/S 6’3 185 Sr. QB/S 5’9 143 Fr. WR/CB 5’7 154 Fr. HB/CB 5’10 140 Fr. WB/CB 5’5 116 Fr. FB/DE 5’7 182 Sr. WB/CB 5’10 136 Fr. TE/DE 5’9 187 Jr. WR/CB 5’7 137 Jr. HB/DE 5’9 133 Sr. RB/DB 5’5 138 So. WR/S 5’10 136 Jr. FB/DE 5’11 163 So. FB/LB 5’8 177 Fr. WR/CB 5’8 154 Jr. HB/DT 5’10 184 Sr. OL/LB 5’10 189 Fr. OL/NG 5’7 16 Sr. WB/DE 5’10 144 So. TE/DE 5’0 144 Fr. OL/DL 5’10 218 Fr. OL/DL 5’7 247 Sr. OL/LB 5’11 229 Sr. OL/DL 5’8 252 Jr. OL/DL 5’9 191 So. OL/DL 5’8 224 So. OL/DL 5’9 307 So. OL/DL 5’7 234 So. OL/DL 5’7 275 So. OL/DL 5’9 226 Jr. OL/DL 5’11 229 Fr. OL/DL 6’1 167 Fr. OL/DL 5’6 176 Fr. OL/LB 5’10 185 Sr. OL/DL 5’11 223 Fr. OL/DL 6’3 232 So. OL/DL 5’6 238 Jr. OL/DL 5’7 225 Fr. OL/NG 5’9 322 So. OL/DE 6’1 230 So. OL/LB 5’7 159 Fr. TE/DL 6’0 305 Jr. TE/LB 5’10 216 So.
Staff photo by Brian Woodson
Wayne Hall
14 | Friday, August 25, 2017
NARROWS GREEN WAVE
The Games Aug. 25 Auburn Sept. 1 Bland County Sept. 8 at Montcalm Sept. 15 at Giles Sept. 29 at Holston Oct. 6 Covington Oct. 13 Eastern Montgomery Oct. 20 at Craig County Oct. 27 at Bath County Nov. 3 Parry McCluer
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
THE GREEN WAVE
Narrows looks to ride size to playoff berth By GEORGE THWAITES Bluefield Daily Telegraph
NARROWS, Va. — The graduation of quarterback Cole Blaker, who is a preferred walk-on at Virginia Tech this fall, is the most famous of the personnel losses with which Narrows will have to cope headed into the 2017 football season. Whenever a combined 1,000 yard rusher and passer exits any program it’s hard not to feel the absence. But the Green Wave lost other significant playmakers on both sides of the football to graduation: Cam Honaker, Landon Neal
and Austin Evans, for instance. “All those kids really stepped up and picked their game up to the next level. And it all really started in the weight room, with them working hard as a group,” said Narrows head coach Kelly Lowe, whose team enjoyed a winning season and a trip to the 1A West playoffs last season. “I feel there were a lot of other unsung heroes on that team. I felt like our offensive line really stepped up in a big way and did some great things to enable Cole to do some of the things that he did,” Lowe said. The good news for Narrows
fans is that the Big Green Tsunami — or most of it — returns intact. The anchors of the Narrows offensive front are seniors “Big Jake” Martin (6-foot-4, 295) and Derrick Stinson (6-1, 300), who’ll be playing side-by-side this season instead of at the opposite guard spots. Juniors Garrett Wolfe (6-4, 265) and Cota McGlothlin (6-0, 215) and Caleb Clemons (6-2, 210) and senior Logan Cooper (5-120, 260) will all see time in the offensive interior. Senior tight end Matthew Mullins (6-1, 210) adds extra blocking punch when needed. “These kids can move. They
move so well for big guys. It’s kind of neat to see,” Lowe said. “We’ve got kids who can play multiple positions up front. That’s going to make us very flexible.” In the backfield, sophomore Chad Blaker and Mikey McKinney return at running back. They shouldn’t be hurting for holes to run through. Senior wide receivers Chase Kantsios and Gavin Pruett are Narrows’ top returning pass-catchers from last season, helping to soften the departure of Neal, who signed with Concord. Dustin Wylie, Slater Ferguson and Matthew Morgan will also run some
3 Chad Blaker 4 Chase Blaker 5. Braiden Lyle 6. Slater Ferguson 8. Chase Kantsios 10. Ian Lowe 11. Mikey McKinney 12. Wyatt Freeman 18. Gavin Pruett 20. Matthew Morgan 23. Matt Hamm 24. Dustin Wiley 43. Cameron Sowers 44. Matthew Mullins 50. Garrett Wolfe 51. Michael Bailey 52. Jake Bowman 54. Richard Ratcliffe 55. Cota McGlothlin 57. Chris Wozniak 61. Isaiah Coffey 62. Jake Martin 65. Logan Cooper 71. Caleb Clemons 72. Derrick Stinson 74. Bhavin Patel 76. Fleet McDaniel 99. Justin Ballard
RB/DB 5’8 138 So. QB/DB 5’11 145 So. RB/LB. 5’11 170 Jr. WR/DB 5’6 145 Jr. WR/DB 5’8 160 Sr. QB/DE 5’9 160 Sr. RB/LB 6’0 170 Sr. QB/DB 6’1 175 Jr. WR/DB 6’3 183 Sr. RB/LB 6’1 155 So. TE/DL 6’1 178 Sr. RB/LB 5’11 155 So. TE/DL 6’5 260 Sr. TE/DE 6’1 210 Sr. OL/DL 6’4 265 Jr. OL/DL 5’9 190 So. OL/LB 5’10 220 Sr. OL/DL 5’9 200 So. OL/DL 6’0 215 Jr. OL/DL 6’0 195 Sr. OL/DL 5’10 230 So. OL/DL 6’4 295 Sr. OL/DL 5’10 260 Sr. OL/LB 6’2 210 Jr. OL/DL 6’1 300 Sr. OL/DL 5’9 195 So. OL/DL 6’4 270 So. WR/DE 6’1 195 Jr.
routes. The Green Wave entered camp with a three-way battle for the start at quarterback. Senior Ian Lowe, who was Cole’s backup last year, has the edge in system knowledge. Sophomore Chase Blaker — Cole Blaker’s 5-11, 145 younger brother — is in the hunt, as is junior trans-
Narrows, 42
Celco Credit Union is Proud to Support
Narrows Greenwave
Wishing The narroWs green Wave a greaT 2017 season
Football Program for the 2017 Season 540-921-2700 • Narrows,VA 540-626-2700 • Pembroke, VA
1090387780 1090387778
GILES SPARTANS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 15 The Games Aug. 25 Blacksburg Sept. 1 at Christiansburg Sept. 8 at Graham Sept. 15 Narrows Sept. 22 at Floyd County Sept. 29 Radford Oct. 6 at James River Oct. 13 Carroll County Oct. 20 at Glenvar Oct. 27 Alleghany
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
THE SPARTANS
Spartans not looking for moral victories By GEORGE THWAITES Bluefield Daily Telegraph PEARISBURG, VA. — In hindsight, when Giles head coach Jeff Williams said last August that he’d be happy with six wins in 2016, he probably wasn’t poor-mouthing that time. The thing is, the Spartans football program is so accustomed to living up to high expectations, eclipsing low expectations doesn’t seem so
out of the ordinary. Last year the Spartans posted an 8-4 season that ended with a 45-14 loss to eventual state champion Appomattox in the 2A playoffs. During the regular season, the Spartans lost to Graham, Galax and Glenvar — and was one play away from winning in each of those games. Giles was three plays away from being 10-0. In a “down” year, no less. Hell’s fire, y’all. Recalculating ...
Recalculating... Conclusion: Giles truly is tough to beat in any given season. The Spartans take an exceedingly dim view of losing— even when they lose to a team head coach Jeff Williams admits might’ve been one of the best teams in the state in any classification “No, there is no honor in being defeated. I don’t care what you say, there’s no moral victories,” said Williams. “A victory is a victory and that’s
Kendall Funeral Home
RB/DB 6’0 170 Sr. RB/LB 5’7 145 Jr. E/LB 5’7 130 Jr. RB/DB 5’10 165 Fr. B/DB 5’8 147. Jr. B/DB 5’7 145 So. BB/LB 5’7 156 Fr. BB/LB 5’9 157 So. RB/DB 5’10 145 Jr. E/DL 5’11 187 Fr. RB/DB 5’9 157 Sr. E/DE 6’2 206 Sr. BB/LB 5’9 180 Jr. RB/DB 6’2 196 Jr. RB/DB 5’10 136 Jr. RB/DB 5’10 145 Jr. E/DB 5’11 167 Jr. OL/DL 6’4 285 So. B/LB 5’9 179 Jr. C/DL 5’10 219 Sr. G/DL 5’10 250. Sr. G/DL 6’1 221. Sr. G/DL 5’10 232 Sr. G/DL 5’10 227 So. G/DE 6’3 205 So. G/DL 5’8 148 Sr. G/DE 6’1 189 Jr. G/DL 5’10 203 Jr. G/DL 5’11 247 Jr. G/DL 5’10 211 Jr. G/DE 6’2 203 Sr. T/T 6’2 325 Sr. T/DL 6’. 268 Sr. T/T 5’11 267 Sr. T/DL 6’6 320 Jr.
and I feel like we’re going to have a good season. I think we’ll be even better down the road,” said free safety and wingback Ty Ratcliffe. The Spartans graduated play-
Giles Spartans
Spartans, 42
Celco Credit Union is Proud to Support wishes the
GILES SPARTANS
2017 season
605 Snidow Street, Pembroke, VA 24136 540-626-7221 Eddie Kendall, Director
Football Program for the 2017 Season
1090387711
a great
what we want. We’re out here to play to win and that’s what it’s about.” Headed into 2017, there is not much to indicate that Giles is The Chosen One — nor anything to suggest that any opponent should take the Spartans lightly. They’re like firearms. It’s always wise to handle them as if they were loaded. “I feel that we have a very good team this year and we have a lot of seniors. We practice and get better every day
2 Ryan Beidleman 3 Hunter Williams 4 Austin Perkins 5 Chaston Ratcliffe 6 Chase Fleeman 8 Dominic Collini 9.Ty Lowery 11 Drew Ferrell 12 Noah Jones 13 Preston Whitlock 23 Logan O’Brien 24 Connor Martin 31 Dayton Brown 32 Jacoby Wilson 34 James Lyles 36 Ty Ratcliffe 40 Joseph Bane 42 Kip Green 45 Alex Williams 51 Huntar Trenar 53. Ben Reynolds 57Alex Gillespie 60 Rawley Martin 61 Issac Dotson 62 Jay Anton 63 McKinley Health 64 A.J. Conley 67 Gregg Riggs 71 Logan McGuyer 72.J.W. Harris 73 Landon Porterfield 74 Austin Greenway 75 Ethan Roe 76 Madison Spears 79 John Ratcliff
540-921-2700 • Narrows VA 540-626-2700 • Pembroke VA 1090387779
16 | Friday, August 25, 2017
BLAND COUNTY BEARS
The Games Aug. 25 Craig County Sept. 1 at Narrows Sept. 8 Northwood Sept. 22 at Eastern Montgomery Sept. 29 Grayson County Oct. 6 at Rural Retreat Oct. 13 Auburn Oct. 20 at George Wythe Oct. 27 Galax Nov. 3 at Fort Chiswell
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Bears
Staying healthy will tell story for Bland By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph BASTIAN, Va. — Lurking above the entrance to the Bland County football fieldhouse is the upper body of a large bear, menacing teeth showing, paws raised, apparently ready to pounce on an unsuspecting foe. The Bears hope to do just that on the football field this season, having finished 4-6 last year, while losing six seniors to graduation. That adds up to more than just six positions at one of the smallest football playing schools in Virginia. “I was pleased with what we accomplished as a problem, slightly disappointed in the record,” Bland County head coach Harris Hart said. “We had a couple of injuries that really changed the way we had to do things in the preseason and in our first game. I was pleased with that.” Keeping the current Bears healthy will certainly be paramount for success in the coming season. “That same statement is true probably even on the NFL level,” Hart said. “If the wrong athletes gets hurt, it can change the whole dynamic of any football team, but certainly
on our level if one of the better athletes gets hurt then it really does change the dynamic.” Bland County does have the luxury having a veteran quarterback in Jacob Watters, who is just a junior, but has already started much of two years for the Bears. “He started the second half of his freshman year and this is his junior year so obviously he has been starting ever since,” Hart said. “He has got a very good arm and runs well, has got a good head on his shoulders and now he has experience so I think that is going to help.” Surrounding Watters will be running backs Nate Saunders, Ethan Cook and Tyler Locker, along with receiving targets Ty Ritter and Patrick Christian. Chase Sarver, the only one of three seniors with playing experience for the Bears, will lead the offensive line from his guard position that will also include center Ethan Buchanan and tackle David Coe. Others competing for playing time include Dakota Burnette, Logan Porter, Noah Shinault and more. “They are decent sized. I think we are little quicker on our offensive line than we have been,” Hart said. “We just need to develop some depth.”
The names are the same on the other side of the ball for the Bears, who will open the season on Aug. 25 by hosting Craig County, followed the next week by the Battle of Wolf Creek at Narrows. “(Narrows) is not in our district anymore, but that is always a tough game one way or the other,” Hart said. “It is a rival, I don’t know if it is the biggest rival, but it is certainly a rival.” Some changes has been made on the defensive side of the ball after the Bears had trouble last season. “We struggled,” Hart said. “We have made some changes schematically, but most importantly on defense, if you want to tackle and you want to get to the football and make tackles then we are going to be a lot better. S a r v e r , Buchanan and Porter will see action on the
defensive line, while Cook and Jonathan Bright will be linebackers after serving as safeties last season. The athletic Watters will also see time in the secondary. “The athletes have worked really hard, they have had a good attitude, a good effort so I am pleased,” he said. “Every year for us, the number one key is staying healthy. These athletes are going to work hard, they are going to improve. If we can stay healthy I think we will be very competitive, but an injury here or there can change that whole thing.”
No. Name Ht. 1 Kendrick Morehead 5’8 2 Blake Buchanan 5’8 3 Jeremy Bryan 5’10 4 Jacob Watters 6’2 5 Austin Chewning 5’9 7 Samuel Bright 5’5 10 Brandonlee Weildman 5’6 11 Joseph Henery 5’7 14 Corey Harden 5’8 15 Jonathan Bright 5’7 17 Tyler Locker 5’8 20 Trey Harden 5’10 21 Travis Faulkner 5’8 22 Ethan Cook 5’8 23 William Sisk 5’8 32 Thomas Blankenship 5’6 35 Nathan Saunders 5’9 42 Wesley Potter 5’9 44 Ty Ritter 6’4 50 Ethan Buchanan 6’0 51 Chase Sarver 5’10 52 Beau Bradshaw 5’9 54 Noah Shinault 5’10 55 Dakota Burnette 5’7 58 David Coe 5’10 60 Joseph Adair 5’4 72 Thomas Clemons 6’5 75 Joshua Pauley 5’11 77 Logan Porter 5’11 89 Patrick Christian 6’2
Wt. 134 137 165 204 170 125 131 135 139 144 150 177 173 164 153 189 228 156 197 200 211 181 236 180 247 210 271 272 303 202
Yr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr.
Ethan Cook
Good Luck Bears On Your 2017 Season!
For All Your Primary Care Services See Us! Bland County Medical Clinic • Exit 58 Off I-77 12301 Grapefield Road • Bastian, VA 24314
276.688.4331 1090387786
MONTCALM GENERALS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 17 The Games Aug. 25 at Hannan Sept. 1 Twin Valley Sept. 8 Narrows Sept. 15 Craig County Sept. 22 at Hurley Sept. 29 Bland County Oct. 6 at River View Oct. 20 Meadow Bridge Oct. 27 at Webster County Nov. 3 Hundred
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Generals
Generals will march to beat of seniors By TOM BONE Bluefield Daily Telegraph
MONTCALM — You’ve got to be smart, and to show leadership, to be a general. The 10 seniors on the Montcalm Generals football team fit that job description. “It is a good senior class,” said head coach Jimmy Redmond. “Several of them are on the Academic Bowl here. So they’ve got the booksmarts, and they’re going to be high-honor (graduates), I’m guessing.” With regard to leadership, Redmond said, “I always tell them to encourage each other; they’re kind of guiding the younger ones, and pushing them — not with criticism, but with encouragement. And they’re doing that well.” Montcalm’s roster is on the plus side of 30 for the second straight year. “It’s a great thing when you have better numbers,” Redmond said. “The excitement’s there. They want to play football.” Several experienced linemen return. Brian Vest and Joe Shinn were competing to start at center. The rest of the interior line should include Lee
Beggs, John Ferrell, Kameron Doughty and Will Call. Tight end Cody Farmer has gone to battle for several years now. Running back Brian Taylor, now a senior, has “good speed, good vision,” Redmond said. “He’s got some pretty good moves, makes good cuts.” The coach said that 240-pound fullback Christian Carper has “gotten a lot stronger.” Senior Jared Parnell is a lock at one split end, and sophomore Doug Belcher may be the other wide receiver, if Jared’s twin brother Dakota winds up at quarterback. A battle was underway in mid-August between Dakota Parnell and fellow senior Hunter Hodge for the signal-calling spot in the shotgun offense. Redmond said that Hodge “knows where everybody should be, he knows all the formations, he takes charge with that.” In addition, the coach said, “You could say he’s got ice in his veins. He doesn’t get rattled.” Redmond assessed Dakota Parnell as having speed and “a fairly strong arm, and he’s been here a number of years; he knows the offensive formations, too. ... He’s a pretty good
athlete.” On defense, Carper’s affinity for playing in the middle of the line may permit more use of a five-man front in addition to the Generals’ base 4-4. Redmond said that Carper “created a lot of havoc there at the nose (tackle) toward the end of (last) year.” Call and Ferrell are familiar with the defensive tackle role, and Shinn and Hunter Bouldin, sized up by the coach as “a pretty good-sized boy,” will also contribute there. “The good thing about having a lot of guys is that you can run a lot of them in and out, especially on defense. (We’ve got) good depth there,” Redmond said. Farmer will be back at defensive end and Doughty may take over the other side. Carper, Taylor and Jared Bailey back them up at linebacker. The multi-talented
Belcher could find a home at backer, cornerback or safety. A 6-foot-3 sophomore, Zakk Gibson, may be stationed at defensive end or safety. As has been the case for four years now, the Parnells are strong, sure tacklers at the cornerback spots. Taylor will punt, and auditions have been underway for the kicking job. Redmond said that the Montcalm squad is bolstered by community support. “It’s great here,” he said. “It’s a
No. Name 7 Jared Parnell 12 Hunter Hodge 14 Dakota Parnell 20 Doug Belcher 21 Tristen Carver 23 Brian Taylor 24 Jared Bailey 31 Cody Farmer 32 Michael Lawrence 40* Christian Carper 40* Zach Havens 42 Tyler Pigg 48 Dylan Perkins 50 Zach Sayers 52 Kolby Williams 54 Kameron Doughty 55 Lee Beggs 56 Eli Wood OLB 60 Shaun O’Donnell 62 Marcus Thomason 64* Bryan Vest 64* Tyler Erpenbach 66 Jonathon Ferrell 72 William Call 74 Joe Shinn 75 Alex Pruitt 76 Zach Yost 77* Hunter Bouldin 77* Michael Gilbert 80 Christian Hudgins 82 Zakk Gibson 84 Maverick Parks 85 Austin Lockhart 86 Brendan Warden
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. WR-CB 5’8 135 Sr. QB 6’0 180 Sr. QB-CB 5’7 135 Sr. WR-S 5’11 145 So. WR-S 5’9 135 Fr. RB-OLB 5’9 167 Sr. FB-OLB 5’9 163 Jr. WR-DE 6’2 194 Sr. WR-CB 5’9 115 So. FB-ILB 5’11 240 Jr. FB-DE 6’0 155 Fr. G-DE 5’9 172 Fr. TE-DE 5’10 164 So. C-DT 5’9 190 So. RB-ILB 5’9 193 Jr. T 6’0 225 Sr. G-ILB 5’1 185 Sr. 5’9 165 Sr. G-DE 5’9 200 So. T-DT 6’0 266 Fr. C-NG 6’0 304 Jr. C-DE 5’9 190 Fr. G-DE 5’10 180 So. T-DT 6’1 264 Jr. C-DT 6’2 270 Sr. T-DT 5’9 273 So. T 5’10 300 Jr. T 6’3 340 Sr. DT 5’8 280 Jr. WR-CB 5’5 140 So. TE-DE 6’3 180 So. WR-S 5’10 175 So. WR-CB 5’11 173 Jr. RB-OLB 5’7 136 So.
smaller school, it’s like a family atmosphere. We pack the gym when it’s Meet the Generals Night. The kids understand that a lot of people are out there supporting them ... and they play hard for them.”
Go Generals! Good Luck to All Area Teams
Princeton Health Care Center Courthouse Road, Princeton WV 304-487-3458
1090387784
18 | Friday, August 25, 2017
JAMES MONROE MAVERICKS
The Games Aug. 25 at Greenbrier East Sept. 1 Point Pleasant Sept. 8 Independence Sept. 15 at PikeView Sept. 22 at Wyoming East Sept. 29 at Nicholas County Oct. 6 at Westside Oct. 13 Princeton Oct. 20 Liberty Oct. 27 at Bluefield
7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Mavericks
Roster smaller, but Mavs still enthused By TOM BONE Bluefield Daily Telegraph
LINDSIDE — The James Monroe Mavericks still have several horses in the corral from last year’s 11-2 football season that ended in the state semifinals — but in a perplexing turn, the herd is considerably smaller this preseason, with 41 on the playing roster. Head coach John Mustain didn’t pretend to have a complete answer about the numbers out for this fall. “It seems to me like it’s happening everywhere,” he said. “The concus-
sion factor, I think, has played a role in it. I just don’t think you see as many kids physically active today as you used to. I think that’s a factor.” “Twenty years ago, if you’d come off a season like we had, there’d be kids coming out of the woodwork wanting to play. ... I think it’s just a sign of the times.” But he added, “I come into every season with high expectations and thinking we can do well, and I believe that with this team. The kids are working hard. ... We lost a lot, but I really feel like we’ve got
the potential to do pretty well again this year. It’s going to be a matter of some kids who didn’t see much time last year are now stepping in those slots and they’re going to have to step it up and they’re going to have to execute when they get out there.” All-state running back Grant Mohler will provide leadership — and the tough yards to keep drives going. Mustain said, “I don’t have too many worries about him.” Connor Moore will take over at quarterback but on some plays will be on the wing,
split out, or at the two-back in Mustain’s shifting offensive sets. “He’s a very versatile player,” Mustain said. “He throws the ball well, runs the ball well, catches the ball well.” Monroe Mohler, Grant’s younger brother, will be utilized in those same roles. Sophomore Landon Hall is described by the coach as “kind of a fullback, kind of a Grant-type runner.” Cory Boothe will also work at wingback and receiver, and will punt for the Mavs. Other wideouts include Channing
No. Name 2 Jaylan Lewis 5 Channing Carr 8 Brandon Carter 9 Xander Castillo 10 Connor Moore 11 Cody Moore 12 Monroe Mohler 14 Christian McNeely 18 Peyton Whitt 20 Grant Mohler 21 Andrew Hazelwood 22 Jacob Mann 23 Cory Boothe 24 Josh Martin 26 Josh Canterbury 27 Noah Testerman 28 Thad Fullen 30 Jason Sizemore 32 Kaleb Ganoe 35 Landen Hall 36 Cameron Quick 39 Eathan McKlarney 50 Noah Ramsey 52 Brady Hunt 53 Mark Livingston 54 Noah Dillon 56 Jaden Clarkson 57 Mason Atwood 58 Carter Brown 60 Bryce Dickerson 61 Zach Eller 62 Kaine Thorne 64 Brady Chinault 66 Josh Fleeman 68 Isaac McKlarney 69 Steven Belcher 70 Mason Warner 74 Brian Carter 75 Tristen Wills 77 Luke O’Neil 78 Robbie Munsey
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. RB-LB 5’9 176 Jr. WR-DL 6’0 156 Jr. WR-DB 5’7 129 So. WR-DB 5’9 150 So. QB-DB 5’10 174 Sr. QB-DB 5’7 148 Fr. QB-DB 5’7 149 So. WR-DB 5’7 142 Fr. WR-DB 5’10 141 Fr. RB-LB 5’9 202 Sr. QB-DB 5’8 139 Fr. WR-DB 5’7 158 Jr. WR-DB 5’11 152 Sr. WR-DL 6’0 177 So. WR-DB 5’7 155 So. RB-DB 5’10 187 Jr. RB-LB 5’8 171 Jr. WR-DB 5’9 134 Sr. WR-DL 6’0 192 So. RB-LB 5’8 206 So. RB-LB 5’6 165 So. WR-LB 5’9 166 Sr. OL-DL 6’1 230 Sr. OL-DL 6’0 241 Fr. OL-DL 6’0 263 Sr. OL-DL 6’1 243 Jr. OL-LB 5’10 191 Jr. OL-DL 5’4 144 Jr. OL-DL 5’10 201 So. OL-DL 5’6 179 Sr. OL-DL 5’10 187 Jr. OL-DL 5’10 200 Fr. OL-DL 6’1 285 Jr. OL-DL 5’7 269 Jr. OL-DB 5’10 183 Sr. OL-DL 5’10 265 Fr. OL-DL 5’9 164 So. OL-DL 5’9 260 So. OL-DL 5’7 192 So. OL-DL 5’11 292 So. OL-DL 5’10 191 Jr.
Mavs, 43
Kendall
Funeral Home wishes the
Wishing James Monroe A Great 2017 Season!!
JAMES MONROE MAVERICKS a great
1090387777
2017 season
605 Snidow Street, Pembroke, VA 24136 540-626-7221 Eddie Kendall, Director
1090387712
GRUNDY GOLDEN WAVE
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 19 The Games Aug. 25 at Ridgeview Sept. 1 Central-Wise Sept. 8 Lebanon Sept. 22 at Honaker Sept. 29 at Twin Valley Oct. 6 Hurley Oct. 13 John I. Burton Oct. 20 at Pikeville, Ky. Oct. 27 at Tazewell Nov. 3 River View
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Golden Wave
Experienced Wave seek another playoff berth By LLOYD COMBS for the Daily Telegraph
GRUNDY, Va. — Gone is its top offensive and defensive player, but returning are some very good ones from a Grundy team that turned things around last season. The Golden Wave return seven offensive and seven defensive starters from its first winning team in five years. Several standouts were lost to graduation, including Christian Jackson, an athletic, sure-handed wide out and
all-conference defensive back. Returnees include senior running back Jacob McNutt (5’9, 165), junior quarterback Derick Endicott (6-3, 175) and three offensive linemen as Grundy looks to top last year’s 7-4 record, which included a 2A playoff appearance in the Golden Wave’s final year before moving to Class 1A. “We think we’ve got people in key positions from last year.” said second-year Grundy head coach Craig Plymal. “Obviously, the loss of Christian Jackson hurts, but Jacob McCoy has
done a good job on both sides of the ball and he’s proving to be a valuable kicker and punter. “Obviously, left guard and left tackle is a big concern. At left guard and left tackle we’ve got a couple kids stepping in there right now.” McNutt, who rushed for 1,230 yards last year is one of just six seniors for the Golden Wave, who have a large sophomore class that includes Jacob “Jake” McCoy (6-0, 160). Returning in the offensive line are senior center Jacob “Jib” McCoy (6-0, 216) and two
juniors, right guard Colton Justus (6-0, 210) and right tackle Mike McCowan (6-3, 275). At left guard will be junior Tristan Justus (6-2, 245), a defensive starter last year, and at left tackle will be 6-foot-3, 305-pound sophomore Chris St. Clair. “The St. Clair kid, he’s the most improved kid we’ve got and he’s just a sophomore,” added Plymal. “He’s got all the potential in the world. 87 William Bedsole 88 Donovan Owens 89 Peyton McComas
Wave, 43
WR/CB 6-4 187 Jr. TE/DT 6-4 252 Sr. TE/DE 6-3 175 Fr.
No. Name 1 Kendall Hawks 2 Cole Street 3 Gabe Fiser 5 Austin Vance 8 Casey Lawson 10 JonBoy Belcher 11 Jake McCoy 12 Derick Endicott 18 Clay Anderson 19 Christian McGeorge 20 Adrian Looney 21 Jordan Hardin 22 Sage Keen 24 Devin Riley 25 Jacob McNutt 26 Paul Hunt 27 Matt Riley 32 Connor Snead 33 Kyle Stacy 34 Zach Stiltner 35 Mason Deskins 40 Kyle Yates 42 Tanner Bishop 44 Dylan Fuller 45 Jack Cooper 48 Chase Looney 50 Colton Justus 51 Jacob McCoy 55 Brandon Moore 60 Matt McCowan 63 Tristan Justus 64 Chris St. Clair 66 Zach Coleman 68 Reid Campbell 70 Dylan Pack 71 Richie Smith 72 Keaton Honaker 74 Hunter Scarberry 75 Nathan Keaton 76 Jamie Elswick 77 Mike McCowan 78 Shane Justus 79 Wade Clevinger 80 Noah Keene 81 Devin Cook 83 Richard Owens
Pos. Ht. Wt. Class QB/WR 5-11 145 Fr. WR/LB 5-11 205 Sr. RB/OLB 5-9 160 Jr. WR/CB 6-3 155 So. WR/LB 5-10 170 Jr. RB/OLB 5-9 150 So. WR/CB 6-0 165 So. QB/FS 6-3 175 Jr. WR/FS 6-2 140 So. WR/CB 5-7 116 So. RB/LB 5-8 150 So. WR/CB 5-8 170 Sr. RB/LB/K 5-9 170 Fr. WR/CB 5-7 122 Fr. RB/LB 5-9 165 Sr. WR/CB 5-9 160 Sr. RB/LB 5-7 150 Fr. LB//TE 6-0 190 So. RB/LB 5-9 210 Jr. WR/CB 5-9 160 Jr. WR/CB 5-9 165 Fr. LB/RB 5-7 180 Fr. TE/DL 5-11 216 Fr. LB/RB 5-8 178 Jr. TE/DE 6-0 190 So. WR/CB 6-0 155 So. RG/DE 6-0 210 Jr. C/DE 6-0 216 Sr. DE/TE 6-0 200 Fr. OT/DT 6-1 250 Jr. G/DE 6-2 245 Jr. OT/DT 6-3 305 So. C/NG 6-0 235 Fr. LG/DT 6-1 245 Fr. OT/DT 5-7 245 So. G/LB/DT 5-9 200 Jr. OT/DT 6-0 210 So. RG/DT 5-9 225 Fr. OT/DT 6-0 235 Fr. RT/DT 5-10 236 Jr. DT/NG 6-3 275 Jr. OT/DT 6-0 300 Fr. C/DT 5-10 180 So. WR/CB 6-0 140 Jr. TE/DE 6-0 190 Fr. WR/DE 5-10 190 Jr.
Good Luck to All Teams! Go Grundy Golden Wave! 1090387782
276-964-2511 • Clinch St., Richlands
20 | Friday, August 25, 2017
HURLEY REBELS
The Games Aug. 25 Rye Cove Sept. 1 Eastern Montgomery Sept. 8 Pike Central, Ky. Sept. 15 at River View Sept. 22 Montcalm Sept. 29 at Tazewell Oct. 6 at Grundy Oct. 13 at Honaker Oct. 20 Tug Valley Nov. 3 at Twin Valley
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Rebels
Optimism reigns despite quality departures By LLOYD COMBS for the Daily Telegraph
HURLEY, Va. — It’s a new day in Hurley and Friday nights at The Cliff will be different. But, the Rebels still have a chance to be entertaining and good. With loss of three running backs who combined for 4,410 rushing yards last season, the Rebels will have a new look on offense, but there is plenty of experience and potential at Hurley, a program that has won 27 games in the last three years and has had just one losing record in the past nine seasons. Senior standout Tayten Sykes (5-10, 165) has three years under his belt under center and all-state accolades as a defensive backs. He has an inexperienced backfield, but an experienced receiving corps and size, depth and some experience in his offensive line. “Right now we’re excited about the kids that we’ve got,” Hurley coach Greg Tester said.
“We’re going to be young this year. We’ve got a lot of good linemen, a lot of good young linemen. “They’re coachable kids. I like the talent we have. The defense right now is ahead of the offense. Losing those three backs from last year, that’s gonna hurt any team.” Those three backs that graduated are Brady Justice (2,256 yards last season), Zack Lester (1,057) and Devin Tester (1,107). Justice and Tester signed with Emory & Henry College. “Offensively, we’re not gonna be as explosive this year,” added coach Tester. “We’re gonna rely a lot more on our offensive line to do some things. “I know I said earlier I’m excited. I think we can compete. It’s going to be somewhat of a rebuilding process for us, but I like what we’ve got.” Returning in the offensive line are senior guard Steven Christian (6-0, 235) and sophomore tackle Austin Hagy (6-0,
240). Also working up front are four sophomores, center Dylan Hall (6-0, 210), guard Jacob Sutherland (6-3, 237) and tackles John A. Justus (6-2, 310) and Trevor Dotson (6-4, 281). Their main job is to allow Sykes the freedom to do his thing. He could be the Rebels’ top rusher and the leader of a more pass-happy offense. “When you’ve got a quarterback like Tayten Sykes, you can do a lot of things,” explained Tester. “We’re going to rely a lot on his arm and his speed. We’ve got to keep him healthy, that’s a key for us. “I think he understands that, hopefully, we lean on this offensive line to take care of him.” The running backs are young, but Tester likes their potential. Freshman Matt Blankenship (5-11, 170), sophomore Dustin Stinson (5-8, 135) and senior Nick Gibson (5-10, 187) have some big shoes to fill. “We’re young and inexperienced in the backfield,” Tester said. “We’ve got a couple of
freshmen and a sophomore that’ll have to handle a big part of the load for us. The potential is good. “I think we’re gonna go through some growing pains. They’ll have to rely on the offensive line and run northsouth. We’re not going to get those 70 and 80-yard plays this year.” Helping Sykes with the passing game will be sophomore Jon Hurley (6-2, 170), junior Taylor Justus (6-2, 220) and senior Tyler Justice (5-10, 160). All three have some experience. “I’ve got a really good receiving corps this year. That’s a strength of our team this year with Sykes and some sure-handed receivers like Taylor Justus and Jon Hurley,” said Tester. “We’ve got Tyler Justice back. “Tyler’s got a little bit of speed. He can catch the ball and run the ball. I like our receiving corps. I think we’re gonna have to lean a little more
No. Name 1 Keaton Matney 2 Todd McClanahan 3 Tyler Justice 7 Chad Justice 10 Tayten Sykes 11 Tyler Young 12 Dustin Hardin 20 Jordan Moore 21 Matt Blankenship 22 Dustin Stinson 23 Anthony Stevens 25 Jonathan Hurley 27 Nick Gibson 31 Dalton Mullins 32 Matt Justus 33 Taylor Justus 48 Matthew Young 50 Steven Christian 51 Jacob McClanahan 52 Shane Boyd 53 Jacob Hurley 56 Dylan Hall 60 Cody Justus 61 AJ Justus 63 Austin Hagy 70 Fred Abel 71 Jacob Sutherland 72 John A. Justus 74 Trevor Dotson 77 Randall Bailey 80 Joseph Phelps 84 Austin Boyd
Ht. Wt. Class 5-11 145 Jr. 6-1 167 Jr. 5-10 160 Sr. 5-11 155 Fr. 5-10 165 Sr. 5-9 130 So. 5-9 181 So. 5-11 163 Sr. 5-11 170 Fr. 5-8 135 So. 5-10 144 So. 6-2 170 So. 5-10 187 Sr. 6-0 200 Sr, 5-9 180 Fr. 6-2 220 Jr. 5-9 183 Jr. 6-0 220 Sr. 6-0 230 So. 6-0 248 Jr. 5-9 235 Sr. 6-0 210 So. 6-0 220 Jr. 6-3 205 Sr. 6-0 240 So. 6-0 230 Sr. 6-3 237 So. 6-2 310 So. 6-4 281 So. 5-9 325 So. 5-9 164 Jr. 5-9 155 So.
on throwing the football this year.” Defense can be a strength early for the Rebels. “I look for our defense to be pretty solid this year,” Tester noted. “We’ve got a lot of big, strong kids. A lot of these kids had to take a back seat last year. We’ve got a heavy sophomore class and a lot of them are ready to step up and play. I think we’re gonna to be all right on defense. “You’ve got an all-state kid in the secondary in Tayten Sykes and I think he’s one of the best in the area on both sides of the ball. We’ve got Tyler Justice on the other corner and we have Jon Hurley at safety.” Up front will be Christian and Sutherland at tackle and Gibson and Justus at end. Senior returnee Dalton Mullins (6-0, 200) anchors the linebacking corps. Inside will also be senior A.J. Justus (6-3, 205), with junior Matt Young (5-9, 183) and Blankenship outside.
TWIN VALLEY PANTHERS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 21 The Games Aug. 25 at Jenkins Ky. Sept. 1 at Montcalm Sept. 8 Honaker Sept. 15 Northwood Sept. 22 at Craig County Sept. 29 Grundy Oct. 6 at East Ridge Ky. Oct. 13 Thomas Walker Oct. 20 at Rye Cove Nov. 3 Hurley
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Panthers
Youth Panthers to be ‘green’ as grass By LLOYD COMBS for the Daily Telegraph
GRUNDY, Va. -- Few teams will start as many new faces this season as Twin Valley. In fact, the Panthers will be as green as the wwgrass on the field that the Garden Green Dragons once called home. Still, even though this Twin Valley team will look different, it will feature both talent and hathleticism. Only three starters return on e offense, but six starters are r back on defense. , The Panthers will have a new look with the loss of rugged running back Austin Shortridge, who rushed for .more than 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons, all of which ended in the playoffs. “This year’s squad will be smuch different from last year’s group,” Twin Valley coach Brian Moore said. “We’re not as experienced and we’ll have ea lot of new players in new roles on both sides of the ball. “In the past we were able to rely on the run and a ground. sand-pound approach. This year -we’re going to have to consider a more balanced approach and put the ball in the air more. Our rstrengths will be in our skill dpositions. “We have a lot of good ath-
letes, and we have depth at each position.” Those athletes include junior quarterback Tylor Keen, a mobile lefthanded quarterback. Keen (6-foot-1, 148), senior tight end Cody Dales (6-2, 228) and senior tackle Joe Keen (5-10, 238) are the returning starters on offense. Junior Brandon Lester (5-10, 175) has some experience in the backfield and senior Alex Vance (5-5, 156) will join him there. Freshman Xzavier Ward (5-9, 146), sophomore Trevor McGlothlin (6-2, 150) and junior Isaac Hampton (6-0, 174) are the new wide receivers. Sophomore Justin Proffitt (6-0, 152) could also see time there. The offensive line has four new starters: freshman center Dalton White (5-7, 193), both guards, senior Leonard Gerber (6-0, 172) and sophomore Jordan Shelton (5-11, 168) and sophomore tackle Alex Meadows (6-2, 280). It will be a work in progress. “Our biggest weakness will be the offensive line, we lost some quality players to graduation and our depth and experience on the line is minimal at best, with only one returning starter, we have a lot of work to do in order to get where we need to up front.” The Panthers, says Moore,
have the young talent to build on what last year’s record-setting senior class accomplished the last three seasons. “We lost a lot of really good players. That graduating class was the most successful group in school history, they won more games than any group of seniors before them,” Moore explained. “We aren’t even approaching the season as if we need to replace them, but we are looking to build on what they established. With Tylor returning at QB, we have a strong leader who knows our system and that alone has already made the transition easier on our younger kids. “We’re going to keep the same goals as before and strive to win the district and qualify for the playoffs, but we are only going to focus on the next game. “No long term dates are circled on our calendar, just the next one.” Moore is pleased with what he’s seen so far. “I’m very pleased with Brandon Lester and I expect him to step up and fill a fulltime role this season,” said Moore. “Last year he played great for us and got a lot of good carries. He runs hard. We’re expecting him to be our
go-to guy on the ground this season. “Due to the fact that we’re implanting some spread concepts into our offense, we will have to rely on our wide receivers more than we did last year. We have a lot of good young guys who are getting reps at the spot and we’re going to run a lot of them in and out on the field. “I like what I’m seeing from Xzavier Ward and Trevor McGlothlin. Both of them have good hands. “Isaac Hampton is a solid receiver. Right now we have about eight kids that we can get the ball to. Justin Proffitt has improved on his route-running and he too could be a potential short game threat as well.” Most starters will play both ways. Tylor Keen is back in the secondary, Dales and Joe Keen return up front and Lester and Vance return at two linebacker spots in Twin Valley’s 4-3 defense. New defensive starters include McGlothlin at free safety and Proffitt at a corner. Junior Isaac Dotson (5-7, 140) is at linebacker. Shelton is opposite Dales at defensive end and Gerber will line up at a defensive tackle spot.
No. Name 1 Tylor Keen 2 Isaac Dotson 3 Connor Welch 8 Timmy Croley 11 Justin Proffitt 15 Xzavier Ward 21 Skylar Vance 24 Isaac Hampton 26 Alex Vance 34 Trevor McGlothlin 40 Brandon Lester 50 Dalton White 51 Connor Goins 52 Jordan Shelton 57 Joe Keen 60 Jakob Rose 63 Seth Stanford 67 Luke Keen 68 Leonard Gerber 69 Nick Taylor 77 Alex Meadows 81 Noah Rife 88 Cody Dales
Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. QB/DB 6-1 148 Jr. RB/LB 5-7 140 Jr. WR/DB 5-6 150 Fr. WR/DB 5-8 148 Sr. WR/DB 6-0 152 So. WR/DB 5-9 146 Fr. RB/LB 5-9 134 Fr. WR/DB 6-0 174 Jr. RB/LB 5-5 156 Sr. WR/DB 6-2 150 So. RB/LB 5-10 175 Jr. OL/DL 5-7 193 Fr. OL/DL 6-1 210 Sr. OL/DL 5-11 166 So. OL/DL 5-10 238 Sr. OL/DL 6-1 178 Sr. OL/DL 5-8 196 Fr. OL/DL 5-10 230 So. OL/DL 6-0 172 Sr. OL/DL 5-4 180 Jr. OL/DL 6-2 280 So. WR/DB 5-5 130 Fr. TE/DE 6-2 228 Sr.
2016 High School Football Standings Virginia Southwest Abingdon Richlands Lebanon Virginia High Tazewell
District 4-0 3-1 2-2 1-3 0-4
9-2 13-2 4-7 3-8 2-8
Mountain Empire District Graham 5-0 Fort Chiswell 4-1 Galax 3-2 Narrows 2-3 Grayson County 1-4 Bland County 0-5
11-2 9-4 11-3 6-5 2-8 4-6
Black Diamond District Hurley 3-0 Grundy 2-1 Twin Valley 1-2 Honaker 0-3
11-1 7-4 6-5 3-8
Three Rivers District Glenvar 5-0 Giles 4-1 Radford 3-2 Floyd County 2-3 Auburn 1-4 Eastern Montgomery 0-5
9-3 8-4 5-6 6-5 3-7 1-9
West Virginia
Class AAA Princeton 5-5
Class AA James Monroe 11-2 Bluefield 4-6 Wyoming East 3-7 PikeView 2-8 River View 2-8
Class A Summers County 8-3 Mount View 5-5 Montcalm 2-7
22 | Friday, August 25, 2017
HONAKER TIGERS
The Games Aug. 25 at Lebanon Sept. 1 Castlewood Sept. 8 at Twin Valley Sept. 22 Grundy Sept. 29 George Wythe Oct. 6 at John I. Burton Oct. 13 Hurley Oct. 20 at Patrick Henry Oct. 27 Northwood Nov. 3 at Ridgeview
7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
The Tigers
Honaker plans to pounce back after down year By ANTHONY STEVENS for the Daily Telegraph HONAKER, Va. — The Tigers hope to pounce back from a disappointing season. Honaker agonized through a 3-8 campaign in 2016, the worst record posted by a Honaker football team since going 2-8 in 1996. It was the first losing season in the last seven years. “I think everyone handled the down year better than the coaching staff,” Honaker coach Doug Hubbard said. “When you go back and look at it (quarterback) Hartley Hilton had a good year and we had a good kicking game, other than that we didn’t have a whole lot to be excited about. The kids were very disappointed with the season.” There is reason for optimism, the Tigers bring back 15 seniors. There will be at least six starters back on each side of the ball. Experience should be an asset. “We have a great bunch of young men,” Hubbard said “They’ve been working hard and doing what we’ve asked. They need to get more aggres-
sive, I think that is the one thing that is holding them back. I’ve been real pleased with them so far. I think good things could happen for them, I really do.” Leading the returnees will be Hilton, the quarterback/safety. He will be a key player on both sides of the ball. Hilton rushed for almost 700 yards with 13 touchdowns and passed for 1,514 yards and 12 scores. Extremely athletic with good speed and a good arm, Hilton is hard to read and contain. “Everyone has been working hard to turn things around,” said Hilton. “Lifting weights, practicing hard, we just want to have a good season.” The dual threat will have a lot of options in the backfield. Bryce Dye returns at halfback. Matthew Testerman will be the fullback and Trevor Dye will be a powerful and explosive at tailback. Ethan Farmer, Matthew Stanley and Levi Wallace could also see time in the backfield. “We have several kids back there that we really like,” Hubbard said. “We have to get them enough playing time for them to become good players.”
There will be no shortage of targets to throw to. Chandler Hubbard and Chase Miller will be the wide outs and both saw a lot of action last season. Hunter Combs and Connor Wallace will be the tight ends. Matthew Balland Trent Taylor can also catch the ball. There are also several veterans on the line. Peyton Johnson will be at center. Ethan Ray and Eric Ball will be the tackles. Jaden Campbell will be a guard and there is a battle going on between John Tawfeek, Cameron Fry and Zack Hess for the other guard slot. On the defensive line, Fry and Matthew Stanley will be the ends. Hess, Johnson, Ball, and Tawfeek are at tackle. Shane Ray and J.C. Horn will also be in the mix. “We’ve been working hard to do better on defense,” stated Stanley. “Last year we didn’t do a good job tackling and we want to do better. We are trying to be aggressive, we want to come off the ball hard and get into the backfield to create problems for the opponent.” Farmer, Testerman and
Trevor Dye will be at inside linebacker. Connor Wallace, Bryce Dye, and Levi Wallace will work on the outside. Hubbard, Matthew Ball, and Hilton will be in the defensive backfield. With Jordan Stout at Virginia Tech, there will be a change at kicker and punter. Matthew Ball and Luke Goodieare battling at place kicker. Ball and Tyler Stafford are competing at punter. For the first time in a very long time, the Tigers didn’t win a BDD game in 2016. It will be tough sledding again with the addition of Grundy in 1A. Honaker should be in the mix. Hubbard feels it will all depend on line play. “To this point our line play is better than what I saw last year,” commented Hubbard. “You can’t play defense unless your defensive front is doing a good job. If I have a good offensive line, I can find someone to run behind them. “Offense and defense is played up front. You can line them up in any formation you want to, I call that window dressing. Bottom line in this
1 Hunter Combs 2 Dylan Barrett 3 Matthew Ball 4 Chase Miller 5 Tyler Stafford 6 Walker Perkins 7 Levi Miller 10 Hartley Hilton 12 James Wallace 14 Dakota Casey 16 Ethan Farmer 18 Trevor Miller 19 Ashby Harris 20 Matthew Hurt 21 Bryce Dye 26 Trent Taylor 29 Levi Wallace 33 Matthew Testerman 34 Trevor Dye 37 Matthew Stanley 41 Luke Goodie 44 Chandler Hubbard 45 Derik Reynolds 50 Ethan Ray 51 Matthew Stanley 52 Jaden Campbell 55 Cameron Fry 57 Hunter Goodie 58 Dawson Reedy 59 Austin Grizzle O 63 Derick Hess 65 Zack Hess 66 J.C. Horn 67 Peyton Hess 68 Brennan Meade 70 Peyton Johnson 71 Allen Ball 73 Dalton Dales 74 Eric Ball 75 John Tawfeek 81 Jacob Geary 82 Dylan Shortridge 86 Shane Ray 88 Connor Wallace
TE/DE 6’0 207 Sr. WR/DB 5’7 135 Fr. WR/S 5’9 126 Jr. WR/CB 6’0 155 Jr. WR/DB 5’10 150 So. WR/DB 5;8 119 Fr. QB/LB 5’10 153 So. QB/S 6’2 169 Sr. WR/DB 5’8 137 Fr. RB/LB 5’6 180 So. FB/LB 6’1 156 Sr. RB/LB 5’10 179 Fr. WR/CB 5’9 112 So. WR/S 5’10 132 So. RB/LB 5’10 145 Sr. RB/CB 5’10 137 Jr. TE/LB 5’10 197 Sr. FB/LB 5’10 196 Sr. RB/LB 5’11 215 So. OG/DE 5’11 186 Sr. TE/DE 6’4 159 So. WR/CB 5’10 150 So. RB/LB 5’11 164 Jr. OT/LB 6’0 200 Sr. OG/DE 5’11 186 Sr. OG/DL 6’3 260 Sr. OT/DL 5’11 248 Jr. C/DE 6’0 182 So. OG/DE 5’8 185 Fr. G/DE 5’10 190 Sr. FB/DE 5’11 175 So. OG/DT 6’1 244 Jr. OT/DT 6’0 283 Fr. C/DE 6’2 203 Fr. OT/DL 5’10 345 Fr. C/DT 6’1 285 Sr. OG/DE 5’10 189 Jr. OT/DL 6’2 286 So. OT/DT 6’3 283 Sr. OG/DT 5’10 325 Sr. WR/CB 5’10 150 So. WR/DB 5’11 139 Jr. TE/DT 6’1 260 Sr. TE/LB 6’2 178 Jr.
Contributed photo by A.Stevens
Hartley Hilton
game is how well your offensive and defensive line play, along with turnovers. We have to get better in a lot of aspects of this game and I believe we will.”
SUMMERS COUNTY BOBCATS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 23
Vicars seeking depth in first season with Bobcats By DAN STILLWELL CNHI Sports West Virginia
HINTON — Right away, Chris Vicars has found there is a big difference between coaching a good Class AA football team and coaching a good team a level down in Class A. Depth. “There are a lot of similarities, but last year we had over 50 players out for football at Independence,” Vicars said. “At Summers County we have 35 to 37. Single-A teams have to have kids who are more adaptable. We have a lot of kids going both ways who won’t come off the field very much. The key this year is to stay healthy.” Vicars, who led Independence to two consecutive playoff appearances, will be faced with doing more with less as he takes over from another successful coach, Nate Tanner, at Summers County. Over the summer, Vicars had resigned at Indy and given up football to become an assistant principal at Summers County Middle School. But when Tanner resigned last month to become head coach at Martinsville, Va., Vicars
applied for the Bobcats job and was accepted. “It’s going well. It’s an adjustment period wit the coaches and how things have been done in the past,” he said. “We’re meshing our styles and going forward.” Five starters on offense and six on defense return from last year’s team, which went 9-2, including a first-round playoff loss to Gilmer County. Five of those players start on both sides of the ball. “We have a pretty good nucleus. The question marks on offense will be much easier to fill than on defense,” Vicars said. “We have some speed to get outside, but we’re inexperienced up front. If we can get that squared away, we have a pretty good running attack.” Summers will run a spread offense with junior quarterback Tim Persiani, who missed much of the 2016 season with an injury. Marcus McGuire will usually be the only running back. He’s a big, physical kid that runs with a low center of gravity and is hard to bring down, while Summers has two promising slotbacks in Tucker Lilly, who has good speed,
hands and vision, along with Jacob McBride, who qualified last spring for the state track meet. “Marcus is not overly fast, but he does a good job of keeping his feet moving. He will get positive yards,” Vicars said. “Tucker is pretty dangerous as both a receiver and a punt returner. Jacob has good size and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s another solid weapon for us.” Persiani will have two big targets in senior 6-foot-3 wide receiver Andrew Richmond, a basketball player who can get in the air and is hard to bring down, and 6-1 Khalil Honaker, who is out for football for the first time. Versatile Ben Neal can play anywhere on the line, but will probably start at center. Caleb Harvey and Brandon Cale are the guards. Tackle Tucker Bennett is a tough kid with a great attitude, while Jeremy Grimmett is always in the right spot and can also play center. Sophomore Dustin Stevens and juniors Ethan Koenig and Chase Adkins are the backups. Harvey is also the placekicker. He can hit field goals
from 30 yards out. Richmond will do the punting. “Ben is our most vocal leader. He communicates well with the other linemen and makes sure they know what is going on,” Vicars said. “He’s a strong kid and we might use him as a pulling guard.” On defense, the Bobcats are fairly physical, but still searching for their identity. Summers’ 5-3 alignment will have Koenig and Grimmett at the ends, Bennett at nose guard and Harvey and Richmond. Clinton Simms is the top backup on the line. Neal is the defensive leader at middle linebacker. McGuire and Trent Meador are the outside linebackers. Honaker and McBride are on the corners while Lilly gives stability at safety. “We know what we want to do, but we’re still evaluating kids at positions, fitting the pieces together,” Vicars said. “We’ll get there.” Fayetteville will replace Wyoming East in the only schedule change. “I can’t predict wins and losses, but if we stay healthy, we can have a real solid team and
Staff photo by Eric DiNovo
The Richlands senior quartet of, from left, Neil Carini, Jason Medley, Andrew “Bull” Dye and Logan Justus
The Games Aug. 25 PikeView Sept. 8 at Shady Spring Sept. 15 at Mount View Sept. 22 Greenbrier West Sept. 29 at Webster County
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
The Bobcats No. Name 1 Tyler Miller 2 Will Taylor 5 Chris Forren 7 Tucker Lilly 8 Dacota Mansfield 10 Timmy Persiani 11 Keandre Sarver 12 Jacob McBride 14 Christian Pack 21 Landon Richmond 22 Mason Hicks 24 Dustin Wanless 32 Trent Meador 40 Jalin Keaton 42 Derek Mansfield 43 Wes Cales 44 Dylan Hardy 45 JoJo Chastain 50 Jeremy Grimmett 51 Chase Adkins 52 Ben Neal 54 Qunten Simms 55 Kanyon Brogan 60 Caleb Harvey 62 Tucker Bennett 70 Bradley Brooks 75 Dustin Stephens 76 Brandon Cales 77 Jacob Northern 80 Ryan Wheeler 84 Jason McClung 85 Khalil Honaker 88 Andrew Richmond 89 Logan Richmond
Ht. Wt. Cl. 5-7 145 So. 5-7 155 Fr. 5-6 145 Jr. 5-10 155 Sr. 5-8 160 So. 5-9 165 Jr. 6-3 155 Fr. 6-0 170 Sr. 6-4 195 Jr. 5-8 140 Fr. 5-8 125 Fr. 6-1 155 Jr. 5-10 170 So. 5-7 165 Fr. 5-8 170 Fr. 6-1 145 So. 5-10 155 So. 5-6 155 So. 5-10 195 Jr. 5-9 205 Jr. 6-0 235 Sr. 5-6 230 Jr. 5-10 230 Sr. 6-1 270 Jr. 5-8 295 Sr. 5-11 220 So. 6-0 220 So. 5-9 245 Jr. 5-9 225 Fr. 5-9 170 Jr. 6-1 160 Fr. 5-10 165 So. 6-3 240 Sr. 5-7 150 Fr.
No team photo available
be competitive with everyone on our schedule,” Vicars said. “It’s a good group of kids to coach. They enjoy coming to practice every day. I hope they have a good year. They deserve it.”
Contributed photo by The Register Herald
Chris Vicars
24 | Friday, August 25, 2017
WYOMING EAST WARRIORS
The Games Aug. 25 Fayetteville Sept. 1 Westside Sept. 8 at Nicholas County Sept. 16 (Sat) at Oak Hill Sept. 22 James Monroe Sept. 29 at River View Oct. 6 PikeView Oct. 13 Shady Spring Oct. 27 at Independence Nov. 3 Liberty
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
No roster available
Warriors could use less ‘breaks’ this season By DAN STILLWELL CNHI Sports West Virginia NEW RICHMOND — Wyoming East’s promising football team endured some bad breaks last year. Ten of them, in fact. “We ended up with 10 broken bones,” coach Don Jewell said. “I thought we’d go 7-3 on the season, but we ended up 3-7.” The Warriors had a lot of veterans, but lost quarterback Hunter Hall to an injury in the first game. Things went downhill fast. They’re a rebuilding squad this season, many as green as their uniforms. “We have 28 players back from last year, but only a handful who got playing time,” Jewell said. “We’re definitely young.” Just four of 12 seniors saw much action — wingback Jake Cannada, lineman Tyler Hagy, lineman Christian Weis and cornerback Ethan Hatfield. “It’s their senior year. We’re encouraging them to be leaders,” Jewell said. Hall graduated after returning to lead the Warriors to three wins in their last five games. All eyes will now be
on Cannada, the breakaway threat in the backfield. Fullback Michael Elkins and tailbacks Gage Bailey, Alex Hall and Caleb Bower are other threats. “We’ll lean on Jake a lot,” Jewell said. “He’s got good speed, runs good patterns and has good hands.” A strong running attack should take some pressure off either junior Evan Preece or sophomore Seth Ross quarterback, who were battling neck and neck in the preseason. “They’ve worked hard to learn the plays, trying to do the best they can.” he said. “Ethan is definitely the better runner, but Ross is a little bit better passer.” Look for both to figure in the attack, somewhere in the backfield. The line, as elsewhere, is mostly young. It has two fine leaders, however, in guards Hagy and Weis. “Both played last year. They’re seniors and they’re working hard to turn things around and make the playoffs,” Jewell said. “Both have the speed and ability to do the traps and pulls I want to do.” The Warriors have tried several players at center, but fresh-
man Josh Reilley has been the most consistent with his snapping. A couple of seniors who haven’t played much in the past, Justin Mullins and Christian Ross, will start at the tackles. Mullins is tall and lean while Ross is smaller and stout. The wideouts are Tyler Bradford and Logan Davis, who have decent experience. They’re both over 6 feet and have good speed. James Snuffer will do both the kicking and punting. “If we’re at the 25 yard line and we can’t get a first down, we’ll kick a field goal,” Jewell said. On defense, Wyoming East will play both a 4-4 and a 5-3 defense. Cannada and Weis are the ends, while Mullins and Ross are the tackles. Tanner Jenkins, is the nose guard. Hagy will be the middle linebacker, while Elkins returns at one outside linebacker slot with Andrew Shrewsbury on the other side. The cornerbacks are Bradford and Hatfield. Bower is at safety, backed by Preece. Two changes in the Warriors’ schedule are Fayetteville
replacing Mingo Centrol and Oak Hill in place of Summers County. Jewell, a 1974 Herndon graduate, first began coaching in 1980 as an assistant at his alma mater. He became head coach when Walt Nixon retired in 1985 and guided the Indians until the school closed in 1992. He later assisted at Baileysville, Mullens and Wyoming East. After taking a few years off to work in North Carolina, he returned as the Warriors’ coach in 2015. “I’m not doing it for the pay. I love being around the kids,” he said. “I’m rough on them, but I’ll joke around with them too. They have to enjoy it.” Jewell thinks East could go 7-3 and maybe 8-2 if everything comes together. “We have the speed and agility. It all comes down to my young kids getting confidence,” he said. “We’ve got potential on offense. We have the threat of the pass and it should open up the running game for us. The kids sat in the stands years ago and watched Wyoming East make playoff after playoff. They’re wanting it too. “They talk about it all the time.”
Contributed photo
Donald Jewell
Beavers
Contributed photo
Jason “Truck” Edwards
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 25
A capsule look at local high school football teams By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph
WEST VIRGINIA Bluefield (2016 record, 4-6): Class AA. Head coach. Last playoff appearance: 2015, lost to Mingo Central, 2nd round 35-22. State championships: 10 (last in 2009). James Monroe (2016, 11-2): Class AA. Head coach: John Mustain. Last playoff appearance: 2016, lost to Mingo Central, semifinals, 41-21. State championships: 0. Montcalm (2016, 2-7): Class A. Head coach: Jimmy Redmond. Last playoff appearance, none since 2001. State championships: 0. Mount View (2016, 5-5): Class A. Head coach: Larry Thompson. Last playoff appearance, 2006, lost to Grafton, first round, 33-14. State championships: 0. PikeView (2016, 2-8). Class AA. Head coach: Bobby Wyatt. Last playoff appearance, 2010, lost to Chapmanville, first round,
30-14. State championships: 0. Princeton (2016, 5-5): Class AAA. Head coach: Chris Pedigo. Last playoff appearance, 2015, lost to Cabell Midland, first round, 55-7. State championships: 0. River View (2016, 2-8) Class AA. Head coach: Wayne Hall. Last playoff apearance: 2012, lost to Bridgeport, first round, 24-14. State championships: 0. Summers County (2016, 8-3): Class A. Head coach: Chris Vicars. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Gilmer County, first round, 34-20. State championships: 2 (as Hinton, 1968). Wyoming East (2016, 3-7): Class AA. Head coach: Donald Jewell. Last playoff appearance, 2014, lost to Franklin, first round, 39-0. State championships: 1 (1999). VIRGINIA Bland County (2016, 4-6). Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Harris Hart. Last playoff appearance, 2015, lost to George Wythe, first round, 56-12. State champion-
Virginia Bland County Bears Seasons: 26. Best record: 9-2, 2008; 3 times, last in 2015. Worst record: 0-10, 4 times, last in 2013. Winning seasons: 7, Losing season: 16. Even: 0. Giles Spartans Seasons: 57. Best record, 15-0, 2013; 14-0, 1980, 1993. Worst record: 0-9-1, 1967. Winning: 38, Losing 13, Even 5.
Hurley Rebels Seasons: 66. Best record: 11-1, 2016, 1982; 9-1, 1981. Worst: 0-10, 3 times, last in 2006. Winning: 29, Losing: 34, Even: 2. Narrows Green Wave Seasons: 87. Best record: 10-0, 1939; 9-0, 1960-62; 7-0, 1938. Worst: 0-10, 2011, 1987; 1-9, 6 times, last in 2014. Winning: 47, Losing: 35, Even: 4.
Graham G-Men Seasons: 92. Best record, 10-0, 1958; 13-1, 1989. Worst record: 1-9, 3 times, last in 2010. Winning: 58, Losing: 29, Even 4. Grundy Golden Wave Seasons: 92. Best record: 4-0-1, 1930; 8-1-1, 1963; 12-1, 1996; Worst: 0-9, 1967; 0-10, 2014; 0-9-1, 1972-73. Winning: 34, Losing: 46. Even: 10, Unknown: 1.
Richlands Blue Tornado Seasons: 91. Best record: 14-0, 1992, 2006; 7-0-3, 1946. Worst: 0-91, 1970; 0-7-1, 1937, Winning: 57, Losing: 27, Even: 6.
Honaker Tigers Seasons: 70. Best record: 13-1, 2014, 2001; 9-1, 2003. Worst: 0-81, 1964; 0-3, 1937. Winning: 29, Losing: 34, Even: 6.
Twin Valley Panthers Seasons: 17. Best record: 6-5, 4 times, last in 2016. Worst: 0-10, 3 times, last in 2009. Winning: 4, Losing: 12, Even: 0.
Tazewell Bulldogs Seasons: 91. Best record: 9-1, 3 times, last in 1969; 12-2, 1986. Worst: 0-10, 3 times, last in 2011; 1-9, 4 times, last in 2010. Winning: 50, Losing: 33, Even: 7.
ships: 0.
Giles (2016, 8-4): Class 2A, Region 2C. Head coach: Jeff Williams. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Appomattox County, second round, 45-14. State championships: 4 (last in 2013). Graham (2016, 11-2): Class 2A, Region 2D. Head coach: Tony Palmer. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Richlands, third round, 34-16. State championships: 3 (last in 1995). Grundy (2016, 7-4): Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Craig Plymal. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Martinsville, first round, 41-13. State championships: 0. Honaker (2016, 3-8): Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Doug Hubbard. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Galax, first round, 62-14. State championships: 0. Hurley (2016, 11-1). Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Greg Tester. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Parry McCluer, second
round, 27-12. State championships: 0. Narrows (2016, 6-5). Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Kelly Lowe. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to John I. Burton, first round, 28-22. State championships: 0. Richlands (2016 record, 13-2): Class 2A, Region 2D. Head coach: Greg Mance. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Appomattox County, 2A state title game, 42-7. State championships: 2 (last in 2006). Tazewell (2016, 2-8). Class 2A, Region 2D. Head coach: J’me Harris. Last playoff appearance, 2014, lost to Union, first round, 30-20. State championships. 1 (1986). Twin Valley (2016, 6-5). Class 1A, Region 1D. Head coach: Brian Moore. Last playoff appearance, 2016, lost to Fort Chiswell, first round, 61-12. Record since 2001: 45-119, .274. State championships: 0.
West Virginia Bluefield Beavers Seasons: 100. Best record: 14-0, 1997, 2004; 13-0, 2007, 10 undefeated seasons. Worst: 0-10, 1993; 1-9, 1990. Winning: 68; Losing: 25; Even: 6. James Monroe Mavericks Seasons: 24. Best record: 12-1, 2006, 2005, 1998; Worst: 3-8, 2011, 2012. Winning: 16; Losing: 6; Even: 1. Montcalm Generals Seasons: 23. Best record: 8-2, 2005, 5-2, 2012. Worst: 0-10, 2002, 1996, 1995. Winning: 2; Losing: 20; Even: 0. Mount View Golden Knights Seasons: 40. Best record: 11-1, 1991; 10-0, 1992. 10-3, 2003. Worst: 0-10, 4 times, last in 2014. Winning: 14; Losing: 21; Even: 4. PikeView Panthers Season 24. Best record: 8-3,
1994, 2010, 8-4, 2009. Worst: 0-10, 6 times, last in 2012 Winning: 4; Losing: 19; Even: 0. Princeton Tigers Seasons: 94. Best record: 8-0, 1943; 6-0-3, 1926, 9-1, 1949. Worst: 0-10, 3 times, last in 1991. Winning: 42; Losing: 37; Even: 14. River View Raiders Seasons: 8. Best record: 9-3, 2011; 8-3-1, 2010. Worst: 1-9, 2015; 2-8, 2016, 2014. Winning: 3, Losing 4: .Even: 0. Summers County Bobcats Seasons: 101. Best record: 8-0-3, 1930; 7-0-1, 1937, 10-1, 1968, 1947. Worst: 0-10, 3 times, last in 2010. Winning: 54, Losing: 39; Even: 7. Wyoming East Warriors Seasons: 20. Best record: 14-0, 1999; 9-2, 2013, 9-3, 2000. Worst: 0-10, 2003, 1-9, 2009, 2-8, 2010. Winning: 10; Losing: 8; Even: 1.
Prep Football Overall Records
Contributed records by Rick Baker 1. James Monroe (24th season) 173-88 .663 (1994-2016, 261 games) 2. Bluefield (100th season) 645-326-23 .660 (1909-11, ‘13, ‘22-2016, 994 games) 3. Giles (57th season) (1961-2016, 624 games)
400-215-9 .648
t4. Richlands (91st season) (1926-2016, 912 games)
522-356-34 .591
t4. Graham (92nd season) (1926-2016, 912 games)
519-353-40 .591
6. Tazewell (91st season) (1926-2016, 894 games)
470-395-29 .542
7. Summers County (101st) 495-447-30 .525 (1911-1916, 1920-1994 as Hinton, 1995-2017 as Summers County, 972 games) 8. Narrows (87 season) (1931-2016, 836 games)
422-386-28 .522
9. Wyoming East (20th season) (1998-2016, 204 games)
104-100 .510
10. Honaker (70th season) 317-312-13 .504 (1930-1945, 1961-2016, 642 games) 11. Princeton (94th season) (1924-2016, 914 games)
440-450-24 .495
12. Hurley (66th season) (1946-2016, 617 games)
280-323-14 .465
13. Grundy (92nd season) (1926-2016, 826 games)
364-432-30 .459
14. River View (8th season) (2010-2016, 74 games)
32-41-1 .439
15. Mount View (40th season) (1978-2016, 397 games)
167-230 .421
16. Bland County (26th season) (1992-2016, 259 games)
93-166, .359
17. Twin Valley (17th season) (2001-2016, 165 games)
46-119 .279
18. PikeView (24th season) (1994-2016, 235 games)
58-177 .247
19. Montcalm (23rd season) (1995-2016, 213 games)
42-171 .197
Most wins
1. Bluefield 645, 2. Richlands 522, 3. Graham 519, 4. Summers County 495, 5. Tazewell 470, 6. Princeton 440, 7. Narrows 422, 8. Giles 400, 9. Grundy 364, 10. Honaker 317, 11. Hurley 280, 12. James Monroe 173, 13. Mount View 167, 14. Wyoming East 104, 15. Bland County 93, 16. PikeView 58, 17. Twin Valley 46, 18. Montcalm 42, 19. River View 32.
Most Losses
1. Princeton 450, 2. Summers County 447, 3. Grundy 432, 4. Tazewell 395, 5, Narrows 386, 6. Richlands 356, 7. Graham 353, 8, Bluefield 326, 9. Hurley 323, 10. Honaker 312, 11. Mount View 230, 12. Giles 215, 13. PikeView 177, 14. Montcalm 171, 15. Bland County 166, 16, Twin Valley 119, 17. Wyoming East 100, 18. James Monroe 88, 19. River View 41.
Games Played
1. Bluefield 994, 2. Summers County 972, 3. Princeton 914, t4, Graham 912, t4. Richlands 912, 6. Tazewell 894, 7. Narrows 836, 8. Grundy 826, 9. Honaker 642, 10. Giles 624, 11. Hurley 617, 12. Mount View 397, 13. James Monroe 261, 14. Bland County 259, 15. PikeView 235, 16. Montcalm 213, 17. Wyoming East 204, 18. Twin Valley 165, 19. River View 74.
26 | Friday, August 25, 2017
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
Grier ready to take over at quarterback for West Virginia By JOHN RABY Associated Press
Sept. 3 (Sun) Virginia Tech 7:30 p.m.# Sept. 9 East Carolina noon Sept. 16 Delaware State noon Sept. 23 at Kansas* TBA Oct. 7 at Texas Christian* TBA Oct. 14 Texas Tech* (HC) TBA Oct. 21 at Baylor* TBA Oct. 28 Oklahoma State* TBA Nov. 4 Iowa State* TBA Nov. 11 at Kansas State* TB A Nov. 18 Texas* TBA Nov. 25 at Oklahoma* TBA #at Landover, Md. *Big 12 game
Will Grier
interceptions with the Gators. He had six TD passes over a span of three quarters in two games, including 271 yards and four TDs against Mississippi . Grier isn’t the only new aspect on West Virginia’s offense.
Contributed photo by WVU Athletics
For the first time, Holgorsen won’t be handing play-calling duties. That responsibility falls to offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, who returned to WVU in January. In Spavital’s only season as
Lung Disease & Sleep Disorder Center
Morrison Dr. & Orchard Ave. Princeton, WV
304-487-0015 1090387774
1090387705
1155 Mercer St., Princeton 304-431-7000 or 304-431-7802
Now Accepting New Patients Call For An Appointment Today!
Grier, 44
The Willow Gift Gallery
LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS BROWN SACK Wishes WV MOUNTAINEERS A Great Season!
TOTAL Sleep Apnea Care
Dr. Vishnu Patel M.D., F.C.C.P., F.A.S.M. Jennifer Riffe PA-C
Cal’s offensive coordinator, Davis Webb threw for 4,295 and 37 touchdowns last season. Spavital was West Virginia’s quarterbacks coach in 2011 and 2012 when Geno Smith set numerous school records. “I felt like it was just a good time to turn some things over to him to take some of that off my plate and do some other things within the program that I think will help us keep on that upward swing,” Holgorsen said. Solid depth at running back should take some of the pressure off Grier and Spavital. Justin Crawford is the Big 12’s top returning rusher after compiling 1,184 yards last season,
Your MU/WVU/VT Fan Gear Headquarters
Lung Disease, COPD, Asthma, Black Lung, Snoring, Fatigue, Sleep Apnea, Shortness of Breath
2531 Coal Heritage Rd. • Bluefield, WV 24701 • (304)589-0000
1090387728
MORGANTOWN (AP) — West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen sees quarterback Will Grier’s limited resume as a positive. Grier joins the Mountaineers for the 2017 season after transferring from Florida, where he played in six games as a freshman in 2015. A 6-foot-1 junior, Grier has “got the locker room ready to roll,” Holgorsen said. “He gets them out there and watches film with them and throws a lot of stuff with them. He controls the huddle. He does everything right.” After leading Florida to a 6-0 start, now Grier gets to prove himself again. Big 12 media voted him the league’s top newcomer in 2017. Grier admitted using an overthe-counter supplement that led to his suspension at Florida, and he wasn’t ruled eligible by the NCAA until this summer. Holgorsen wanted Grier because 2016 was quarterback Skyler Howard’s senior season with no heir apparent on the team. Grier threw for 1,204 yards with 10 touchdowns and three
The Games
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 27 The Games
Fuente again looking for QB in second season By HANK KURZ Jr. Associated Press BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Justin Fuente’s second year at Virginia Tech will present some challenges similar to the first. The Hokies still have not identified a starting quarterback, with the options including redshirt freshman Josh Jackson, junior college transfer AJ Bush and freshman Hendon Hooker. None of them have ever taken a snap in a FBS-level game. The Hokies, however, fared pretty well last season with JUCO transfer Jerod Evans. He threw for 29 touchdowns with just eight interceptions, led the team with 846 rushing yards and 12 TDs and guided them to a 10-3 season before deciding to make himself available for the NFL Draft. While the signal-caller is the player in the offensive spotlight, Fuente is quick to note that wide receiver Isaiah Ford, tight end Bucky Hodges and running back Sam Rogers all helped Evans immensely last season, but all three also left for the NFL. They took a combined 151 receptions for 2,086 yards and 18 touchdowns with
them. Expectations for a repeat from this season’s quarterback derby winner would be a stretch, but Fuente and the Hokies should be able to take a page from seasons past when Bud Foster’s stingy defense carried the program early in the season. The Hokies have eight starters back on that side, with depth at defensive tackle behind returning starters Tim Settle and Ricky Walker the biggest concern so far. That would give the offense some time to find its footing if not for a daunting opening nonconference game against longtime rival West Virginia at FedEx Field on Sunday, Sept. 3. After reversing a trend that saw the Hokies have to fight to keep their 24-year bowl streak going in the last four years of Frank Beamer’s career, Fuente became the most popular man in Blacksburg with last year’s showing. Still, he’s not sure one year returns them to the expectations of 10-win seasons and major bowl games. “I think there’s an element of, ‘this can be attained,’” he said. “It had been a few years since it happened, that we can do this. ... I’m going on multiple
Contributed photo by Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics
Cam Phillips
occasions (to) tell them that none of those wins mean anything now.” ——— Some other things to know as Virginia Tech heads into the season: WHO IS AT QB? Many consider Jackson the oddson favorite to be the Hokies starting quarterback. He’s the
most dual-threat player of the three, and has had a year head start to learn the offense while watching Evans execute it with great success. He impressed with his poise during last year’s competition, but all three are unknowns when the games count. CAM AND WHO? Cam Phillips finished second on
Sept. 3 (Sun) West Virginia 7:30 p.m.# Sept. 9 Delaware 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at East Carolina 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Old Dominion TBA Sept. 30 Clemson* TBA Oct. 7 at Boston College* TBA Oct. 21 North Carolina* (HC) TBA Oct. 28 Duke* TBA Nov. 4 at Miami* TBA Nov. 11 at Georgia Tech TBA Nov. 18 Pittsburgh* TBA Nov. 24 (Fri) at Virginia* TBA #at Landover, Md. *ACC game
the team with 76 catches for 983 yards and five touchdowns last season, and could break all the school records Ford set with another huge year. The Hokies lost one candidate to play a big role when freshman Caleb Farley was likely lost for the season with a knee injury in the first practice. Redshirt junior C.J. Carroll, with 18 receptions in 2016, is second among returning players in experience. LUNCH PAIL DEFENSE: Defense has been Virginia Tech’s calling card for most of the last two decades, which also happens to be the period when the Hokies rose to national prominence, and this year’s group could be special. Foster’s biggest concerns besides tackle depth? Finding fourth and fifth options at safety and cornerback. BEAMERBALL LIVES: Beamer’s success with special teams made attending more
QB, 44
Your MU/WVU/VT Fan Gear Headquarters Four Seasons Pharmacy
1090387739
Richlands: 276-963-0836 • Tazewell: 276-988-2596 Claypool Hill: 276-963-3430 • Lebanon: 276-889-3600 Bluefield, VA: 276-322-1380 • Wytheville: 276-228-1020 Loan Production Offices: Princeton - 304-431-2477 • Abingdon: 276-525-4708
Morrison Dr. & Orchard Ave. Princeton, WV
304-425-3687 1090387775
28 | Friday, August 25, 2017
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD
QB Chase Litton, Marshall try to rebound after 3-9 season By JOHN RABY Associated Press HUNTINGTON (AP) — Marshall quarterback Chase Litton enters his third season as the starter with the chance to help erase some awful memories for a program that had become accustomed to double-digit wins. Litton led Marshall to a 10-win season in 2015 after taking over in the third game. Last year he showed improvement, but Marshall struggled at running back, the defense was flat and the Thundering Herd finished 3-9. “They’re anxious to right the ship,” Marshall coach Doc Holliday said. Last year Litton completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,612 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But he was suspended for the 2016 season finale for a violation of team rules. Holliday said the quarterback not only has matured since then, he’s stronger. Litton gained 30 pounds and is now weighs 235. “I see a different guy out there right now,” Holliday said. “He’s making the right reads and is a lot further ahead as far
as the offense is concerned. He just continues to get better.” Litton will have a new position coach. Co-offensive coordinator Todd Goebbel switched duties with Bill Legg, who now oversees the tight ends. The biggest challenge facing Marshall is on defense. The Thundering Herd allowed 35 points and 456 yards per game a year ago. The anchors of this year’s defense could be second-leading tackler Kendall Gant at safety and 6-foot-7 defensive end Ryan Bee, who had 4.5 sacks a year ago. ——— Some other things to know about the Thundering Herd in 2017: QUESTIONS AT RECEIVER: Litton will have several new targets to throw to after Marshall lost its top three receivers from last season. Tight end Ryan Yurachek is back after tying for the team lead with five TD catches. Among those joining him are Miami transfer Tyre Brady. RB HELP: Keion Davis is the leading returning rusher after compiling 469 yards a year ago. He’ll be joined by junior Anthony Anderson, junior college transfer Trey Rodriguez and redshirt freshman Tyler
hma t s A & y g r e PC l l , d A l e fi e Blu f o r e t n Ce
Sept. 2 Miami (Ohio) 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at N.C. State 6 p.m. Sept. 16 Kent State 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Cincinnati TBA Oct. 7 at Charlotte* 6 p.m. Oct. 14 Old Dominion* (HC) 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20 (Fri) at Middle Tennessee* 7 p.m. Oct. 28 Florida International* 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 (Fri.) at Florida Atlantic* 6 p.m. Nov. 11 Western Kentucky* 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Texas-San Antonio* 7 p.m. Nov. 25 Southern Mississippi* 2:30 p.m. *Conference USA game
Contributed photo by Marshall Athletics
Chase Litton King. KEY GAMES: At North Carolina State, Sept. 9; at Cincinnati, Sept. 30; home versus Western Kentucky, Nov. 11. PREDICTION: Marshall, which won at least 10 games
from 2013 to 2015, isn’t expected to contend for the East Division crown and will be challenged to become bowl eligible again. SEASON OPENER: Miami, Ohio, Sept. 2, in Huntington.
Ryan Yurachek
GO HERD! Princeton Health Care Center
Donald W. Asbury, M.D. Board Certified Allergy Asthma 1240 Hockman Pike • Bluefield, VA
Courthouse Road Princeton, West Virginia
1090387714
(276) 322-2278
The Games
304-487-3458
1090387785
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 29 The Games
Virginia counting on QB Benkert to stay healthy, productive By HANK KURZ Jr. Associated Press CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Bronco Mendenhall is hoping for no more surprises in his second season as Virginia’s coach. The former BYU coach got one he wasn’t expecting last season before the first game was over. With Richmond of the FCS dominating the Cavaliers in a victory at Scott Stadium, his team looked beaten long before the final gun. This season, the coach who averaged nine victories a year in 11 seasons at BYU is taking a calculated risk. He’s putting his confidence in quarterback Kurt Benkert in the hopes to reversing the fortunes of a team that finished 2-10 last year. Benkert took nearly all the snaps in spring practice, and the only other player to take any, redshirt freshman De’Vante Cross, has also been working at wide receiver. Admittedly, Mendenhall is hoping that Benkert stays healthy, and that if he goes down with an injury, freshman Lindell Stone will be ready to play. Benkert missed one game with a separated non-throwing
shoulder last season, but started 10 games. The senior enters his second year at Virginia after transferring from East Carolina. He threw for 21 touchdowns, tied for third most in program history. “Pretty delicate balance,” Mendenhall said, “because we certainly need a backup. But we also need to improve our starting unit. So as Lindell continues to learn and grown within the offense, that will continue to be shifted.” The Cavaliers also must replace do-everything tailback Taquan Mizzell, who accounted for nearly 70 percent of their rushing yardage last season and led the team with 52 receptions while scoring seven TDs. The good news for Benkert is the committee approach to replacing Mizzell. That includes flashy and versatile receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, tailback Jordan Ellis and receivers Andre Levrone, Joe Reed and Doni Dowling. On defense, eight starters return, but to a unit that allowed nearly 34 points per game. The group is led by linebacker Micah Kiser and safety Quin Blanding, who have finished 1-2 in the ACC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.
Blaker at Virginia Tech
Contributed photo
Cole Blaker
Narrows product Cole Blaker is a walk-on tight end for Virginia Tech. Blaker, who graduated from Narrows last December, threw for 5,165 yards and 59 touchdowns in four seasons for the Green Wave. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Blaker He set 14 school records in football, and also played basketball and track.
AP file photo
Kurt Benkert The starters feature only one other senior in pass-rushing end Andrew Brown. Other things to know as Virginia heads into the season: BOLD BENKERT: The quarterback impressed with his arm strength and willingness to take a hit early last year, but a separated non-throwing shoulder and porous protection
eventually made him skittish. He set a school record with 421 passing yards (a school record-tying five TDs) in a victory against Central Michigan. He has dropped weight and gained speed, but hopes for a bowl-qualifying season require him to stay healthy. ‘O’ MY!: Zaccheaus can do it all, from turning short pass-
Kitts at Virginia Tazewell product T.J. Kitts is now a walk-on quarterback for the University of Virginia football team. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Kitts eclipsed 2,000 yards and threw for more than 1,000 in two years at quarterback. He also starred in basketball and track for the Bulldogs over a fouryear career.
T.J. Kitts
Contributed photo
Sept. 2 William & Mary 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Indiana 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Connecticut noon Sept. 22 (Fri) at Boise State 8 p.m. Oct. 7 Duke* TBA Oct. 14 at North Carolina* TBA Oct. 21 Boston College* (HC) TBA Oct. 28 at Pittsburgh* TBA Nov. 4 Georgia Tech* TBA Nov. 11 at Louisville* TBA Nov. 18 at Miami* TBA Nov. 24 (Fri) Virginia TEch* TBA *ACC game
es into long gains, beating his defender on a post route or running the ball. Now that offensive coordinator Robert Anae has had a year to see what ‘O’ can do, he needs to find ways to get him the ball in open space. GET THAT BALL: Virginia turned the ball over 26 times last year and took it away just 17 times, leading to a 99-42 deficit in points off turnovers. That has to improve dramatically for successful outcomes. LINING UP: Mendenhall brought in two huge transfer offensive linemen — 6-foot4, 320-pound guard John Montelus from Notre Dame and 6-5, 325-pound tackle Brandon Pertile from Oklahoma State — to bolster what was an undersized collection last season. If they can shore up protection and run-blocking, and the team finds a replacement for graduated center and captain Jackson Matteo, the offense might achieve a better balance than a year ago.
30 | Friday, August 25, 2017
CONCORD MOUNTAIN LIONS
Mountain Lions embracing ‘blue-collar mentality’ L By TOM BONE Bluefield Daily Telegraph ATHENS — Concord University’s football team searched for a new identity in the off-season after a 2-9 record last fall. Head coach Paul Price thinks they’ve found a way that leads back up to the top of the Mountain East Conference. The coaching staff, which includes a raft of new faces, and some team leaders “sat down and kind of decided what changes we needed to make as a football program, how we approach things, what were important to us, what core values stuck out for us,” Price said earlier this month. “They kind of made their own identity, and have been living up to that. It’s been a very exciting period of time for us.” Price, who has been with the CU program since 2009, said
the talent of the 2017 squad “gives us a fighting chance to win every single game that we play. ... I think these guys, they embrace that blue-collar mentality.” His fellow MEC head coaches aren’t yet convinced, voting the Mountain Lions to finish ninth among 11 schools in their preseason poll. The Athenians are working with their fourth offensive coordinator in four years, Don Mahoney, who Price called “an exceptional football coach, and he’s bringing these guys along at a really fantastic pace.” Price said the new run-first offense “may be unrecognizable from last year (in) scheme and style.” Jamal Petty, who rushed for 907 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons at Concord, is back after being out for the 2016 campaign. Nick Loftin is back for his senior
year, and JaVaughan Burrus also returns. A new quarterback will convene the huddle. Two of the three candidates for the job are junior-college transfers from California, Jake Gibson and Jake Pruitt, while the third is freshman Adam Fulton. Price said in early August that Gibson had an edge because of his “percentages of taking care of the ball and completing passes, and (being) very elusive when he has to move the football.” “The entire quarterback corps are good leaders,” the coach said. Derek Dressler, a two-year starter, and Chris Norman are back on the right side of the offensive line, but there are big gaps to fill. Tight end Jordan Bryant, a team captain this year, is the most experienced man on the offensive unit, hav-
ing played 30 games at CU. Brandon Plyler and Paul Jones return at wide receiver. Among other wideout candidates, Camari Murray had limited experience as a freshman last fall, Pittsburgh resident Stephon Hawthorne has transferred in, and freshman Tywan Pearce has been “lighting things up,” Price said. The strength of the defense is at cornerback, manned by Chaudlier Shepherd and Jeremiah Johnson, a three time first-team all-conference pick. Junior lineacker Zach Malone tallied 108 tackles last fall to make first team allMEC as well. Ty Walker will start as an outside linebacker. Another California transfer, Andrew Jacubowsky, is “very intelligent” according to Price, and he can play at any of the linebacker spots. Freshman
The Games
Aug. 31 (Thurs) W.Va Wesleyan* 7 p.m. Sept. 7 (Thurs) at Charleston* 7 p.m. Sept. 14 (Thurs) Virginia-Wise* 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Notre Dame* noon o noon s Sept. 30 Shepherd* Oct. 7 at Glenville State* noon Oct. 14 West Virginia State* 1 p.m.e Oct. 21 UNC-Pembroke noon 5 Oct. 28 at West Liberty* noon b noon Nov. 4 Fairmont State* i Nov. 11 at Urbana* 1 p.m. r *Mountain East Conference game
Kendall Byrd is also in the mix.R Among the defensive line-l men, Keionte Gainey “hast been a real leader for ust throughout the offseason,”l Price said. Mount View Higho graduate Paco Bonds, Justina Noble, Colton Neal and Kelseyl Poe are “real tough veterans,”l Price said. Noble had 50 tack-t les and three sacks in an inju-l ry-shortened 2016 season. Neals had a team-high five sacks. C
Collar, 45a
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 31
BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMS
Lusk era begins with new attitude at Bluefield College By GEORGE THWAITES Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — Football is only headed into its sixth season at Bluefield College, but even for a young program, the 5-50 won-loss record compiled by the Rams over that span isn’t what you’d call a golden ratio. Ordell Walker’s tenure as Rams head coach ended after last year’s 1-10 finish. Among the defeats that were hardest to swallow included a 24-20 loss to Pikeville in the season opener, a 28-13 loss to Faulkner after leading at the half, a 48-34 loss to Campbellsville after leading at the half. Other ones that got away included a 7-0 loss to Union and a 20-7 season-ending loss to Kentucky Christian after trailing by only a field goal at halftime.
Not even taking into account that Bluefield only trailed 21-7 to Georgetown at halftime, a BC program that had never won more than three games in a season could’ve realistically picked up six victories in 2016. New head coach Dewey Lusk believes it’s finally time to get some ballast in the win column. The Rams veterans who’ve weathered the transition to the new regime are more than ready for that. “I think if we could have made some minor adjustments at halftime, we’d have been solid,” said Alex Martin, the team’s leading rusher last season. “We were beating a lot of teams at halftime and they were capitalizing and we’d just get down. But these (new) coaches are on to us about staying up and staying positive, discipline and staying focused on everything.”
The culture started to change shortly after Lusk arrived on campus in January. There has been a lot of necessary recruiting, but the kids the new head coach is most pleased with are players who were already here when he arrived. “It’s been great spirits, enthusiastic practices. I mean it’s been really good, especially with our returners,” said Lusk, who was offensive coordinator under Lou Wacker at Emory & Henry before serving as head coach at NCAA Division II Virginia-Wise. “If you weren’t going to class or weren’t doing the right things, then you’re no longer here. The ones that are back are hungry to win. They’re really leading this team and hustling and trying to do the right thing.” Last year the Rams rarely threw the football. Lusk pre-
fers to balance the offense 50/50 ground and air. More pitch-and-catch is going to happen. But in Lusk’s multiple-set philosophy, BC also wants to be able to line up in the I and run it down opponents’ throats. “In this day and age, you can’t just line up in one thing and expect to be successful,” Lusk said. “There’s too many good coaches, too many good players. You have to mix formations, mix run and pass. Same thing on defense. You can’t just line up in 52 and Cover 3. Those days are over. You’ve got to mix it up and move it around. A revitalized off-season weight program has produced dividends across the board, but the offensive line is one place where it might be noticed more acutely. Veterans Michael Hinkley, Quante Hines and Andrew McFee, plus Rashad Short and Joe Hardy are up
The Games
Aug. 18 (Fri) vs. Emory & Henry 7 p.m. # Aug. 26 at Cumberland * 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Edward Waters (Fla)* 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at Southeastern (Fla)* 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Georgetown* 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 St. Andrews* 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Point* 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Cumberlands* (HC) 6 p.m. Oct. 28 Union* 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at Reinhardt* 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Pikeville* 1:30 p.m. #Scrimmage, at Richlands *Mid-South Conference game
front in an offensive line depth chart that contains enough talent— including game worthy freshmen— to keep the pressure on the lead dogs and provide some security in the event of injuries. “(The blocking schemes) are more complex, definitely. But they make it simple for us, so it’s easy to learn. It’s different from what we’ve done in the
College, 45
32 | Friday, August 25, 2017
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
Oklahoma would have to face Big 12 rematch for another title
DALLAS (AP) — Either Oklahoma or Texas won the last seven Big 12 championship games. When the conference title game resumes this season after a six-year hiatus, the Red River rivals could be facing each other for the second time that season. Or maybe it will be a rematch between the Sooners and Oklahoma State, though they wouldn’t play consecutive weeks since the regular Bedlam game is now set for the first Saturday of November and not at the end of the regular season. The championship game is back in the Big 12, which was left out of the College Football Playoff in two of the first three years. “We’ve been responsive to what we heard from the CFP,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said, referring to that “13th data point” the title game creates for the league. But the league didn’t return to divisions , which it had through 2010 when there were 12 teams. So the top two teams in the Big 12 standings will play again in the title game — a guaranteed rematch in the only Power Five league with a round-robin schedule. That could mean the first-ever December game between Oklahoma and Texas, both with new coaches and teams that haven’t faced each other twice in the same season since 1903. Oklahoma, with Heisman
Mountaineer Field...
Contributed photo by WVU Athletics
West Virginia quarterback Will Grier and others greet fans at Milan-Puskar Stadium in Morgantown. Trophy finalist quarterback Baker Mayfield back for his senior season, will be going for its third consecutive Big 12 title — and 11th overall. “I’ve always envisioned it being more like this. Of course, you get the pressure with it,” said 33-year-old Lincoln Riley, a first-time head coach after Bob Stoops’ surprising retirement in June. “If you don’t enjoy that sense of pressure and those expectations, then it’s probably not the place for you.” New Longhorns coach Tom Herman, a graduate assistant at Texas for Mack Brown in
1999 and 2000, was 22-4 the last two years as Houston’s coach after being offensive coordinator for Ohio State’s national championship team three seasons ago. Herman takes over a Texas team coming off three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 1930s. “What’s the past is in the past,” Herman said. “Our job is to make sure that whatever happened doesn’t happen again.” THE FAVORITES Oklahoma is a heavy favorite in the Big 12 as usual, even
with the unexpected coaching change, the loss of another Heisman finalist (big-play receiver Dede Westbrook) and the early departures of two running backs (Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon) to the NFL. Mayfield is among nine returning offensive starters, and six of the top eight tacklers are back. The Sooners go into the season with a 10-game winning streak, the longest among FBS teams. Oklahoma State has never played in the Big 12 championship game, and won its only title in the league in 2011, the first year that championship game wasn’t played. The Cowboys go into coach Mike Gundy’s 13th season with quarterback Mason Rudolph (4,091 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, four interceptions), receiver James Washington (71 catches, 1,380 yards, 10 TDs) and running back Justice Hill (1,142 yards rushing). TOP PLAYERS Mayfield. The former walkon freshman starter at Texas Tech has passed for 7,665 yards and 76 TDs while leading the Sooners to the last two Big 12 titles. Oklahoma State’s offensive trio of Rudolph, Washington and Hill. Dorance Armstrong Jr., a 6-foot-4, 246-pound defensive end at Kansas who had 10 sacks and led the Big 12 with 20 tackles for loss last year. Travin Howard and Ty
Big 12 Media Poll 1. Oklahoma (19) 303 2. Oklahoam State (12) 294 3. Kansas State (1) 231 4. Texas 213 5. Texas Christian 202 6. West Virginia 183 7. Baylor 129 8. Texas Tech 85 9. Iowa State 83 10. Kansas 37 *First place votes in parentheses
Summers, two linebackers at TCU. Howard had a Big 12-high 130 tackles last season and Summers was second with 121. Allen Lazard, Iowa State’s big-play receiver. His 1,018 yards receiving included school-record six 100-yard games. NEW FACES Baylor coach Matt Rhule. After consecutive 10-win seasons at Temple, Rhule has likely the biggest challenge of the league’s three new coaches, taking over in the aftermath of Baylor’s sexual assault scandal. Rhule said his focus is on building a program, not a team, and building a culture, not an attitude. Will Grier, West Virginia’s quarterback. Redshirted last season after transferring from Florida, where he threw for 1,204 yards in six games as a freshman in 2015. ON THE HOT SEAT Texas Tech scores plenty under fifth-year coach Kliff Kingsbury, averaging 38.8 points and 540 total yards a game. But the Red Raiders have allowed 39.6 points per game and gone 24-26 under their former quarterback. While going 5-7 last year, they scored 524 points — and gave up 522.
WVU’s Simms suspended following DUI arrest Jackson to start opener for Hokies MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Wide receiver Marcus Simms has been suspended for West Virginia’s season opener following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen announced the suspension Monday night. Holgorsen says in a statement that Simms also must fulfill certain requirements before reinstatement. The statement did not specify the conditions. Holgorsen says Simms will be allowed to
participate in team activities during the suspension. The Dominion Post reports that according to a criminal complaint, Simms was arrested Sunday and charged with DUI and driving on a suspended or revoked license for DUI. Simms played in nine games as a freshman last season and caught six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. West Virginia opens the season Sept. 3 against Virginia Tech in Landover, Maryland.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente has named redshirt freshman Josh Jackson the starting quarterback for the Hokies’ season opener against West Virginia. Fuente announced the decision Monday. The coach says he has been pleased with Jackson’s consis-
tency, his demeanor, his ability to process information and some of the things the staff gave him to work on through the summer. Fuente added it’s time to get the first unit working together. Jackson beat out junior college transfer AJ Bush and freshman Hendon Hooker. None of the three has ever taken a snap in an FBS-level game.
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 33 ACC Media Poll
Clemson’s losses could open door for FSU, Louisville in ACC
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney understands why preseason questions about the Tigers focus more on who’s gone from slast year’s team instead of who gis filling those roles. n The reigning national chamhpions have big holes — the kind that could clear a path for sFlorida State or Louisville to 8climb atop the Atlantic Coast dConference’s heavyweight ddivision and win the league title in 2017. “Guys, there’s change every .year,” Swinney said during last -month’s ACC media days. “It’s -a new team.” e The Tigers’ thrilling 35-31 ,comeback win against Alabama fdid more than give Clemson its -second national title. It capped na four-year run that has the ,ACC — a league best known nfor basketball — on level footing these days with the sfootball-power Southeastern tConference. The ACC has won mtwo national championships rand has two Heisman Trophy awinners in that span, including reigning trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville. y Now it’s up to the ACC to fmaintain its newly claimed 8stature. a The Tigers (14-1) have played sin two straight national title rgames but must replace star rplayers such as quarterback .Deshaun Watson and lineybacker Ben Boulware. They’ve eceded the league-favorite status to the Seminoles (103), who return 18 starters on offense and defense. And the Cardinals (9-4) lurk right behind with Jackson’s return with the chance to join Ohio State’s Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winners. And that’s all in the Atlantic Division, part of an imbalanced alignment that has made the league’s Coastal Division a perennial undercard. Clemson extended a six-year
Contributed photo by Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics
Lane Stadium
run by the Atlantic champion as winner of the league title game, with FSU and Clemson each have won three. The Coastal, meanwhile, has had a revolving door of division champions that included Virginia Tech last year, North Carolina in 2015, Georgia Tech in 2014 and Duke in 2013 — and looks just as likely to have more uncertainty this fall. The marquee game should be FSU’s visit to Clemson on Nov. 11, with the winner of that game winning the past six league crowns. “That game has turned into one heck of a game every year,” said FSU coach Jimbo Fisher, who led the Seminoles to the 2013 national title. “Whoever wins it has a chance to win it all, not only win the ACC, but win a national championship.” THE FAVORITES Atlantic: Florida State. The Seminoles lost league-leading rusher Dalvin Cook, but sophomore quarterback Deondre
Francois is back while the defense returns 11 starters. That list includes safety Derwin James, who was regarded as one of the nation’s defensive backs before missing all but two games last year with a knee injury . Coastal: Miami. The Hurricanes return running back Mark Walton and eight defensive starters, though they need to find a new quarterback after losing Brad Kaaya if they want to reach the ACC championship game for the first time. Virginia Tech is picked second and also has to find a new starting quarterback as the Hokies try to become the division’s first repeat winner since 2011. TOP PLAYERS Jackson, Louisville. The junior can beat defenses through the air (3,543 yards passing and 30 touchdowns) or on the ground (1,571 yards with 21 scores). Walton, Miami. Walton ran for
1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2016. He’ll have to lead the offense as the Hurricanes’ next QB settles into the role under second-year coach Mark Richt. Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State. The senior can play running back, receiver or tight end. And he has 29 rushing or receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons for an experienced team that could be a dark horse in the Atlantic. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson. The 6-foot-5, 340 pound sophomore tackle — mentioned as a possible No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in 2019 — joins linemate Christian Wilkins to give the Tigers a formidable front. Micah Kiser, Virginia. The senior linebacker has led the ACC in tackles for the past two seasons with a combined 251 stops. (NO) NEW FACES The ACC doesn’t have a new coach for the first time since 2006. ON THE HOT SEAT? Boston College’s Steve Addazio guided the Eagles to a bowl win, but they’re a combined 2-14 in the ACC the past two seasons.
Atlantic Division 1. Florida State (121) 1,,08 2. Clemson (37) 1,007 3. Louisville (9) 843 4. North Carolina State 658 5. Wake Forest 415 6. Syracuse 362 7. Boston College 283 Coastal Division 1. Miami (103) 1,065 2. Virginia Tech (40) 932 3. Georgia Tech (9) 708 4. Pittsburgh (7) 673 5. North Carolina (4) 606 6. Duke (4) 473 7. Virginia 219 ACC Championship 1. Florida State 118 2. Clemson 35 3. Louisville 7 T4. Virginia Tech 3 T4. Miami 3 6. Duke 1
Contributed photo
Justin Fuente
Contributed photo by Virginia Tech Athletics
Tremaine Edmunds
34 | Friday, August 25, 2017
CONFERENCE USA
Conference USA even again while adding high-profile coaches IRVING, Texas (AP) — Butch Davis is back on the sideline, and Lane Kiffin is again leading his own program. While those high-profile coaches get ready for their Conference USA debuts — Davis at FIU and Kiffin at Florida Atlantic — coach Bill Clark stayed in place for UAB’s football revival. With the return of the Blazers , C-USA again has 14 teams split into seven-team divisions. Clark had just finished his first year at UAB, going 6-6 in 2014 for the school’s first non-losing record in 10 seasons, when the program was briefly shut down for financial reasons. Skip Holtz has won nine games three straight years at Louisiana Tech, the defending West Division champion and one of seven C-USA teams that went to bowl games last season. Those bowl teams included UTSA and North Texas, both with first-year head coaches who left prominent roles on staffs at Power Five schools. “A friend of mine uses the analogy that Conference USA is like NASCAR.” Holtz said. “Everybody has the same size engine. It’s just who does the best job of driving it that week, and I think that’s where we are right now. I think it’s an incredibly competitive league.” After winning back-to-back C-USA titles, Western Kentucky
Contributed photo by Marshall Athletics
Joan C. Edwards Stadium has first-time head coach Mike Sanford Jr., who was Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator. Old Dominion takes a six-game winning streak into this season after winning 10 games in only the Monarchs’ fourth year in Division I, and eighth year since restarting the program. “I look at some of the quality coaches that this league has attracted,” Holtz said. “Mike Sanford leaving Notre Dame to go to Western Kentucky, I look at Frank (Wilson) leaving LSU to take UTSA, I look at Seth Littrell leaving (North
Carolina) to go to North Texas. ... Now this year with Butch Davis and Lane Kiffin both coming in with head coaching experience, I think speaks volumes for this league.” THE FAVORITES East Division: While WKU has a new coach and has to replace seven offensive starters, the Hilltoppers return senior quarterback Mike White, the C-USA preseason offensive player of the year, after scoring at least 44 points in each of their last 10 games. Middle Tennessee has the impressive QB-WR
Contributed photo
Tracey Parker Bluefield
combo of Brent Stockstill and Richie James. The division title could be determined Nov. 17 when the Blue Raiders travel to Bowling Green to play the Hilltoppers. West Division: For the third straight season, Louisiana Tech will have a new starting quarterback. The Bulldogs also lost two receivers who combined for 218 catches, 3,338 yards and 31 TDs. But they return 1,000-yard rusher Jarred Craft, three starters on the offensive line, and DE Jaylon Ferguson, the league’s top sacker among many top players on defense. TOP PLAYERS White, the Western Kentucky senior quarterback who had eight 300-yard passing games last season. He was fifth in FBS with his 4,383 yards, while throwing for 37 TDs with only seven interceptions. Rice linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee led the league and ranked sixth nationally with 10.7 tackles per game last year. Ito Smith has rushed for more than 100 yards in 16 games already at Southern Miss. He is the league’s top returning rusher after averaging 112 yards per game as a junior. The Blue Raiders’ QB-WR duo. Stockstill, now a third-year starter as a junior, threw for 3,233 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. James caught 105
Conference USA Media Poll East Divison 1. Western Kentucky (20) 2. Middle Tennessee (4) 3. Old Dominion (3) 4. Marshall (1) 5. Florida Atlantic 6. Florida International 7. Charlotte West Division 1. Louisiana Tech (20) 2. Texas-San Antonio (7) 3. Southern Mississippi (1) 4. North Texas 5. Rice 6. Texas-El Paso 7. Alabama-Birmingham
passes for 1,625 yards and 12 TDs. NEW FACES The 65-year-old Davis is back in coaching six years after being fired from North Carolina as part of the fallout of an NCAA investigation in which he was never implicated. And he is again in Florida, where he coached the Miami Hurricanes from 1995-2000. Kiffin, previously a head coach at Tennessee and USC, spent the last three seasons as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama — the same span during which FAU had three consecutive 3-9 seasons. The Owls’ last bowl was in 2008. Sanford, the 35-year-old former Notre Dame offensive coordinator, became WKU’s head coach after Jeff Brohm left for Purdue. ON THE HOT SEAT Sean Kugler took alma mater UTEP to a bowl in 2014, the former NFL offensive line coach’s second season as head coach. The Miners are only 9-15 in the two seasons since, and lost five straight games last season.
Contributed photo
Concord football
Alex Martin Bluefield
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 35
MOUNTAIN EAST CONFERENCE Shepherd still the team to beat in MEC By DON CLEGG for the Daily Telegraph
BRIDGEPORT — The Mountain East Conference hit the gridiron running five short years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Shepherd’s run to the NCAA 2Division II football “Final Four” a year ago marked the third straight season that an sMEC team has won a Region sOne championship and moved hon to the national stage. t The 2016 season also marked nthe second consecutive year -that the MEC has produced ,multiple playoff teams with the iRams being joined by Fairmont State in the postseason field. d Shepherd knocked off three ,straight nationally-ranked steams before falling to No. 7 North Alabama in the natione al semifinals while Fairmont d .State’s first-round loss to No. .11 Indiana (Pa.) in its NCAA -postseason debut did little to edim the luster of the Falcons’ s10-win season. m Another first for the MEC in 2016 came on Oct. 24 when three teams cracked the NCAA rCoaches’ Top 25. Shepherd was -No. 3 with Fairmont State at sNo. 20 and Notre Dame check.ing in at No. 25. e The MEC’s gridiron success ehas been matched across the athletic spectrum since the conference was formed four years ago. During that time, the league has claimed no less than 97 NCAA postseason berths and 17 regional championships with all 12 MEC schools earning at least one NCAA tournament bid. Shepherd (football), West Liberty and Fairmont (men’s basketball), Charleston (men’s soccer), Wheeling Jesuit (volleyball) and Notre Dame (wrestling) have all made national championship game appearances with Jesuit and
Football at Callaghan Stadium Notre Dame bringing home the big trophy. “In just four short years we have proven that the best of the MEC ranks with the best in all of Division II,” MEC Commissioner Reid Amos said earlier this month at the league’s Football Media Day. “Our coaches and student-athletes have done a tremendous job of raising the MEC’s profile not just on a regional but a national basis.” Not surprisingly, Shepherd was picked as the preseason favorite with eight first-place votes and 98 points from the MEC coaches. Notre Dame picked up two first-place votes and was second in the poll with 89 points while Fairmont State grabbed the other first-place vote to round out the top three. “We graduated a great senior class that went 45-5 over the past four years,” Shepherd coach Monte Cater said, “but I guarantee you the cupboard is not completely bare. We’re excited about the guys we have coming back and think we have a chance to be in the hunt for
File photo
another title.” West Liberty was part of a three-way logjam that slotted in behind the frontrunners. A mere three points separated UVa-Wise (54), Charleston (52) and the Hilltoppers (51) in the coaches’ balloting. West Virginia Wesleyan (46) was seventh, followed by Glenville State (45) and Concord (43), with West Virginia State (26) and Urbana (16) rounding out the list. Here’s a quick look at each team’s prospects for the 2017 season: SHEPHERD Monte Cater heads into his 31st season with the Rams as the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II with 264 career wins. He should pick up quite a few more this fall thanks to a loaded defense and a veteran offensive line. RB Brandon Hlavach, a 1,000-yard rusher, will miss the season due to injury but RB Jabre Lolley – who ran for 2,372 yards and 41 TDs in his first three years – returns after redshirting in 2016. QB Connor Jessop
steps in under center with Preseason All-America OL Lavonte Hights anchoring an impressive forward wall. Three All-MEC standouts – DLs Myles Humphrey and James King along with LB James Gupton – lead the defense. NOTRE DAME After leading the Falcons to a 9-2 record and their first-ever national ranking a year ago, second-year head man Mike Jacobs is aiming even higher. Notre Dame returns two of the MEC’s most explosive offensive threats in QB Malik Grove, a run/pass threat who accounted for 3,292 yards and 35 TDs last year, along with 1,000-yard rusher RB D.J. Greene. FAIRMONT STATE Jason Woodman lost 16 of his first 22 games at the Fairmont State helm but the fifth-year head coach has his Falcons flying high now after a 10-win season and NCAA postseason berth. Fairmont lost QB Cooper Hibbs and WR Fabian Guerra but RB Terrell Charles is back along with 2016 MEC Offensive Freshman of the Year WR Laurence King. Defense will be the key for FSU as eight starters return on that side of the ball led by 2016 MEC Defensive Player of the Year DL Quincy Redmon. UVA-WISE The Highland Cavaliers were one of the MEC’s more pleasant surprises a year ago as first-year coach Dane Damron led them to a 6-5 mark – the school’s first winning season in nearly a decade. QB Brycen Lee is back after throwing for 2,300 yards and 13 TDs in his freshman season. Twin senior WRs Jacob Cousins and James Cousins combined for 1,100 yards and 10 TDs and workhorse RB Carlton Griffith returns for his senior year. Senior DB Ed Kargbo leads a veteran defensive unit that must replace graduated All-
Mountain East Conference Poll
1. Shepherd (8) 2. Notre Dame (2) 3. Fairmont State (1) 4. UVa-Wise 5. Charleston 6. West Liberty 7. West Virginia Wesleyan 8. Glenville State 9. Concord 10. West Virginia State 11. Urbana
98 89 85 54 52 51 46 45 43 26 16
America LB Zach Blair. CHARLESTON A series of injuries at the quarterback position dropped UC from the penthouse to the outhouse a year ago as Charleston went from an NCAA playoff berth in 2015 to a 3-8 mark in 2016. The return to health of QBs Jermaine Kelly and Mason Olszewski would be a major boost and both played well in the spring. The Golden Eagle defense is led by returning All-MEC selections DL John Cominsky and DB Zaire Lewis. WEST LIBERTY With three one-point losses and two more going down to the final possession, the Hilltoppers were only a few bounces away from a breakthrough season a year ago. Head coach Roger Waialae welcomes back 14 starters and 46 lettermen but must replace record-setting QB Dakota Conwell along with All-MEC WRs Dan Monteroso and Anton McCallum. A veteran offensive line, keyed by All-MEC senior Corey Ernest, coupled with a deep and talented pool of running backs will ease the transition for junior QB Brenton Colabella. A much-improved defense should be even better with MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year DB Logan Deri joined by All-MEC LB Cliff Clark. W.VA. WESLEYAN In his first season at the Bobcat helm, Del Smith shared Waialae’s pain as Wesleyan’s 4-7 mark included four setbacks by margins of a touchdown or less. The Buckhannonbased squad brings back QB Ryan Deal, who passed for 2,200 yards and 15 TDs, but the
Shepherd, 45
36 | Friday, August 25, 2017
MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE
Bluefield part of largest football league By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — Quick, name the largest conference in all of college football, regardless of division. Would you believe it is the Mid-South Conference? The powerful NAIA football powerhouse has combined with the Sun Conference to create a 20-team league, with the winners of each of the three divisions guaranteed a spot in the NAIA playoffs. Bluefield College will play Sun Conference imports Edward Waters and Southeastern, along with Point and first-year program St. Andrews. Other Sun Conference newcomers includes Ave Maria, Warner and Webber International. It was another solid campaign in 2016 for the Mid-South, with three teams finishing in the final top 25 poll, including Reinhardt, which advanced to the national semifinals in just its fourth season with a program. Lindsey Wilson was eighth, while traditional power Georgetown was 25th. There has been some shifting of teams into a trio of divisions, with Bluefield in the Appalachian Division. There will also be a Bluegrass and Sun divisions. Several non-football schools are also part of the Mid-South, including Brewton-Parker (for wrestling), Life (doesn’t have football), LindenwoodBelleville (for bowling, swimming), Loyola New Orleans (for swimming), Martin Methodist (for bowling), Midland (for swimming), Tennessee Wesleyan (for bowling) and Shawnee State. Bluefield, like Tennessee Wesleyan, plays all its non-football games in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Here is a brief look at each of the 20 schools. Appalachian Division
Mitchell Stadium BLUEFIELD Location: Bluefield, Va. Nickname: Enrollment: 912. Head coach: Dewey Lusk (first season). 2016: 1-10, 1-5. Bluefield is 5-50 in five seasons since the program was revived in 2012. It was disbanded in 1941 at the onset of World War II. Lusk is the third coach in six years for the Rams. UNIVERSITY OF CUMBERLANDS Location: Williamsburg, Ky. Nickname: Patriots. Enrollment: 6,031. Head coach: Matt Rhymer (4th year, 14-16). 2016: 4-6, 3-3. Record vs. Bluefield: 4-0, 28-13 in ‘16. Played in the NAIA national championship game in 2013. PIKEVILLE Location: Pikeville, Ky. Nickname: Bears. Enrollment: 3,560. Head coach: Allan Holland Jr. (4th, 15-18). 2016: 6-5, 5-1. Record vs. Bluefield 5-0, 24-20 in ‘16. Bluefield has opened with Pikeville in five seasons, including the Rams’ first game back as a program in 2012. The Bears won 42-28.
Staff photo by Brian Woodson
POINT Location: West Point, Ga. Nickname: Skyhawks. Enrollment: 1,488. Head coach: Julius Dixon (first season). 2016: 3-6. Record vs. Bluefield 0-2, 50-27 in ‘15. Like Bluefield, the Skyhawks are in their sixth season with a program. MSC newcomer Point still hasn’t had a winning record, but were 5-6 in 2015 and played in the NAIA playoffs. Dixon was a captain on the 1998 Furman football team that won the Division 1-AA national championship. REINHARDT Location: Waleska, Ga. Nickname: Eagles. Enrollment: 1,425. Head coach: James Miller (first season). 2016. 13-1, 5-0. Record vs. Bluefield 2-0, 64-3 in ‘16. Reinhardt advanced to the NAIA national semifinals in its fifth season with a program. Miller, who started in 21 games on the offensive line while at Virginia Tech, replaces Drew Cronic on the sidelines. ST. ANDREWS Location: Laurinburg, N.C. Nickname: Knights.
Enrollment: 500. Head coach: David Harper (first season). 2016, DNP. Record vs. Bluefield 0-0. St. Andrews football will play its first game as a program on Aug. 26 at Lindsey Wilson. Harper has also served as head coach at Ferrum College. UNION Location: Barboursville, Ky. Nickname: Bulldogs. Enrollment: 1,350. Head coach: Andre Line (1st season, 1-1). 2016. 5-6, 4-2. Record vs, Bluefield: 4-1, 7-0 in ‘16. Linn replaces Zak Willis, who was 7-24 in three seasons with the Bulldogs. Linn went 1-1 on an interim basis over the final two games last year, with the 7-0 win coming at Bluefield. Bluegrass Division BETHEL Location: McKenzie, Tenn. Nickname: Wildcats. Enrollment: 5,600. Head coach: Chris Elliott (6th, 27-30). 2016: 7-4, 1-4. Record vs. Bluefield: 3-0, 49-21 in ‘14. Finished 0-4 after opening last season with a 7-0 record, surrendering 62, 52 and 58 points in the final three games. Defensive coordinator Willie Fells started in 36 games from 1995-99 at Purdue. He also played in the Canadian Football League from 2000-05, winning a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in 2001 with Fells scoring the title-clinching touchdown. CAMPBELLSVILLE Location: Campbellsville, Ky. Nickname: Tigers. Enrollment: 3,560. Head coach: Perry Thomas (9th, 48-51). 2016: 2-8, 0-5. Record vs. Bluefield: 3-0, 48-34 in ‘16). The bottom dropped out for the Tigers in 2016, with two wins after two straight NAIA playoff appearances. Senior kicker Bradley Bates was selected to the College Football America NAIA Starting Lineup team prior to this season. CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN Location: Cincinnati, Ohio. Nickname: Eagles. Enrollment:
Mid-South Conference Poll Appalachian Division 1. Reinhardt (6) 2. Pikeville (1) 3. Cumberlands t4. Point t4. Union 6. Bluefield 7. St. Andrews Bluegrass Division 1. Lindsey Wilson (6) 2. Georgetown (1) 3. Bethel 4. Campbellsville 5. Cumberland 6. Kentucky Christian 7. Cincinnati Christian Sun Division 1. Southeastern (4) t2. Faulkner (2) t2. Warner 4. Webber International 5. Ave Maria 6. Edward Waters
36 29 23 20 20 13 6 36 30 24 21 19 11 6 24 19 19 14 9 5
1,025. Head coach: David Fulcher (0-11, 2nd year). 2016: 0-11, 0-6. Record vs. Bluefield: 0-1, 28-7 in ‘16. A three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection with the Bengals, Fulcher led the Eagles through their first season as a program. After playing home games at a high school last year, the Eagles move into Willard Stargel Stadium for ‘17. CUMBERLAND Location: Cumberland, Tenn. Nickname: Phoenix. Enrollment: 1,963. Head coach: Donnie Suber (5th, 21-23). 2016: 5-6, 2-3. Record vs. Bluefield: 3-0, 59-28 in ‘14. Bluefield will open the Dewey Lusk era at Cumberland on Aug. 26. Known as the Bulldogs for most of its existence, Cumberland won the NAIA baseball crown in 2014. Cumberland will always be remembered for losing to Georgia Tech 222-0 in 1916. GEORGETOWN Location: Georgetown, Ky. Nickname: Tigers. Enrollment: 1,200. Head coach: Bill Cronin (21st year, 183-51) . 2016: 7-4, 5-1. Record vs. Bluefield: 5-0, 28-7 in ‘16. Georgetown has won three NAIA national championships, including consecutive crowns in 2000-01. The Cincinnati Bengals held its their training camp at Georgetown from 19972011. Georgetown has also won two NAIA basketball championships. KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN L ocation: Grayson,
Largest, 45
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 37
Prep football coaches through the years Coaching records provided by Rick Baker Wins Leaders
Steven Ragsdale, Giles 264, Glynn Carlock, Graham 244, *Fred Simon, Bluefield 239, *Doug Hubbard, Honaker 217, *Greg Mance, Richlands 186, Ernie Hicks, Richiands 170, Harry Ragsdale, Narrows 153, Greg Rowe, Grundy 148, John Chmara, Bluefield 130, Bill Garten, Summers County 123, Ted Spadaro, Princeton 113, Burrhead Bradley 110. *active Percentage Leaders
Contributed photo
Steven Ragsdale 264 wins
Bland County (93-166-0, .359) Ed Selfe (1992-96, 27-29), Dave Lambert (‘97, 0-10), Dan Tibbs (‘98-00, 7-23), Doug Reavis (‘0102, 7-12), Ed Clyburn (‘03, 2-8), Harris Hart (‘04-present, 50-84). Bluefield (645-326-23 .660) G.E. Glass (1909-12, 13, 4-3), Dick Nebinger (‘22-29-3, 31-25), Clark Brown (‘30-35, 30-23-3), Jake Miller (‘36, 6-6-1), Bill Dole (‘3742, 32-25-3), Lambert Arrington (‘43, ‘46-49, 29-20-2), Tony Lotito (‘44-45, 15-2-2), Moe Powers (‘50, 2-8), A.T. Howard (‘51-58, 40-336), Merrill Gainer (‘59-67, 87-6-1), John Chmara (‘68-85, 130-53-1), Fred Simon (‘86-present, 239-122). Giles (400-215-9, .648) Virgil Bailey (1961-62, 6-14), Bill Perry (‘63, 5-4-1), Robert Farmer (‘64, 6-3-1), Jim Worley (‘65-66, 6-12-1), Dave Steorts (‘67-68, 2-17-1), Bill Lloyd (‘69-70, 9-101), Al Kincaid (‘71-73, 15-10-2), Roy Bayless (‘74-77, 14-26), Steve Ragsdale (‘78-08, 264-87-1), Jeff Williams (‘09-present, 76-21). Graham (519-353-40, .591) Unlisted (1926, 0-1), E.C. Snyder (‘27-29, 5-5-5, known as Panthers in 1929), McGhee (‘30, 3-2), Ted Fix (‘31-35, 19-13-3, known as Bears in 1931), Percy McEldreth (4 games in ‘34, 2-1-1), Marshall
Merrill Gainer, Bluefield (87-6-1, .936), Johnny Worth, Hinton (30-4-4, .842, David Witt, James Monroe (53-10, .841), Mick Lusk, Tazewell (17-4, .810), Tony Lotito, Bluefield (15-2-2, .800), Casto Ramsey, Tazewell, 33-9, .786), *Jeff Williams, Giles (76-21, .784), *Greg Mance, Richlands (186-62, .750), Dave Rider, Tazewell (65-22-5, .714), John Chmara (130-53-1, .711), Harry Ragsale, Narrows (153-69-22, .704), Mitch Estep, River View (only) (23-101, .701), Nick Colobro, Tazewell (24-11, .686), *Tony Palmer, Graham (178, .680), Glynn Carlock, Graham (244-119-1, .674), *Fred Simon, Bluefield (239-122, .662), Donnie Jackson, James Monroe (94-59, .614). *active
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Fred Simon
Doug Hubbard
Greg Mance
Shearer (‘36-’39, 16-5-3), Mark Gillespie (7 games in ‘39, 5-2), John Farrar (‘40, 1-9), Johnny Anderson (‘41-43, 5-15-4), Lewey Dalton (‘44-48, 21-21-5), Burrhead Bradley (‘49-67, 110-65-14), Bob Hedrick (‘68-72, 17-29-4), Glynn Carlock (‘73-04, 244-119-1), Doug Marrs (‘05-’10, 32-36), Mike Williams (‘11-14, 22-22), Tony Palmer (‘15-present, 17-8).
(‘35, 1-1), John Meade (‘39-41, 43, 12-15-2), P.L. Williams (‘42, 46-52, 26-28-4), Frank Porterfield (‘44, 1-7-1), Charlie Hale (‘45, 1-7), Frank Spraker (‘52-58, 67, 31-434), Karl Reedy (‘59-62, 25-15), Brownie Cummins (‘63-66, 23-125), Blake Compton (‘68-72, 9-365), Don Newberry (‘73-75, 7-221), Verner Auville (‘76-77, 2-18), Larry Bradley (‘78-81, 22-19), Bruce Sizemore (‘82-84, 9-21), John Curia (‘85-86, 5-15), Greg Rowe (‘87-10, 148-117), Jeremy Ward (‘11-15, 17-35), Craig Plymal (‘16-present, 7-4).
Honaker (317-312-13, .504) Unknown (1930-31, 35-38, 44, 7-19-1), Lynn Moore (‘32, 0-22), ‘33-34, no team), Yuell Harris (‘39-41, 4-16-1), Snook Combs (‘42, 1-2), A.P. Baldwin (‘45, 1-1), Preston Buchanan (‘61-66, 5-40-2), Roger Childers (‘67, 1-8), James Dotson (‘68-69, 9-6-1), Larry Smith (‘70-77, 48-31-4); John Bartee (‘78-82, 22-30-1), Doug Hubbard (‘83-present, 217-157-1).
239 wins
Grundy (364-432-30, .459) Unknown (1926-27, ‘29-33, ‘3638, 18-14-8), Shorty Thompson (‘28, 1-2), (no data for ‘34), Stuart
217 wins
186 wins
Hurley (280-323-14, .465) Unknown (1946, ‘66, 5-3-1),
Contributed photo
Glynn Carlock 244 wins
Smiley Ratliff (‘51-54, 18-9-2), James Fletcher (‘55-57, 6-12-3), James Barnette (‘58, 1-6-1), Buddy Poole (‘59, 5-1), Willie Sumrall (‘60-61, 64-65, 70, 14-25-3), (no team, 62-63), Paul Hatfield (‘67, 71-62, 9-18), Roger Gibbs (‘68-69, 12-6), Capp Smith (‘73-76, 8-301), Tommy Blankenship (‘77-82, 85-87, 52-40-2), Verner Auville (‘83-84, 9-10-1), Randy Justus (‘88-89, 3-17), Mark Hackney (‘9093, 24-18), Wayne Hall (‘94-97, 02-05, 38-46), Mark Cooper (‘9801, 10-30), Greg Tester (‘06-present, 66-52). James Monroe (173-88, .663) Donnie Jackson (1994-02, 08-12, 94-59), David Witt (‘03-07, 53-10), John Mustain (‘13-16, 25-19). Montcalm (42-171, .197) Keith Pennington (1995-99, 4-46), Craig Havens (‘00-07, 18-60), Justin Gilbert (‘08-10, 5-24), Jimmy Redmond (‘11-present, 15-41).
Mount View (167-230, .421) Sid Cure (1978-80, 13-15), Vic Nystrom (‘81-95, 75-77), Leon Gravely (‘96-11, 70-101), Todd McCoy (‘12-13, 4-16), Larry Thompson (‘13-present, 6-24). Narrows
Coaches, 47
38 | Friday, August 25, 2017
Longest running series (from available records) 1. 97, Graham vs. Tazewell 2. 94, Graham vs. Richlands 3. 92, Richlands vs. Tazewell 4. 91, Graham vs. Bluefield. 5. 88, Bluefield vs. Princeton 6. 81, Richlands vs. Grundy 7. 79, Narrows vs. Galax 8. 72, Tazewell vs. Virginia High 9. 71, Bluefield vs. W.Wilson 10. 70, Tazewell vs. Grundy ••• Virginia Bland County Most games: 26 vs. Narrows, 25 vs. Shawsville/Eastern Montgomery, Fort Chiswell., Galax, Grayson County Best/Worst percentage At least 5 games Best: Montcalm (6-0, 1.000), Pocahontas (7-5, .583), Northwood (6-5, .545); Worst percentage: Giles (0-9, Graham 0-6, .000). Giles Most games: 56 vs. Blacksburg, Narrows, Radford. Best: Bland County (9-0, 1.000), Auburn (26-1, .963), Shawsvile/ Eastern Montgomery (25-2, .926). Worst: Dublin, Pulaski (3-9-1, .269). Graham Most games: 97 vs. Tazewell, 94 vs. Richlands, 91 vs. Bluefield, 68 vs. Grundy; 55 vs. Marion
Beavers
Continued from 6 Chandler Cooper, a transfer from Graham, and fellow junior Ronnelle Blevins were competing for the starting job in the preseason. “Basically, both of them have worked very hard and they’re both talented enough to play other positions if needed, too,” Simon said. “What’s neat is, we’re going to have some depth there, so ... things look good there.” The linemen, which became somewhat of a patchwork affair last season, have “grown up more,” Simon said. “We’re definitely going to be better there, this year, because we’re older.” Julius Gaddy, the only senior lineman, has gained 15 pounds and moved from guard to center, where he will be counted on to use his smarts to coordinate the blocking. He has a pair of 6-foot-5 juniors nearby to help,
All-Time Series Records vs. selected foes Opponents records compiled by Rick Baker
Best: Bland County (6-0, 1.000), Lebanon (13-1, .929), Patrick Henry-GS (10-1, .909). Worst: Salem (1-5, .167), Bluefield (23-662, .264), Galax (2-5, .286). Grundy Most games: 81 vs. Richlands, 70 vs. Tazewell, 68 vs. Graham. Best: Twin Valley (10-1, .909), East Ridge, Ky. (9-1, .900), Pocahontas (8-1, .875). Worst: Blacksburg (0-5, .000, Pikeville, Ky. (1-10, .091). Gate City (2-19, .095). Honaker Most games: 52 vs. Lebanon, 48 vs. Haysi, Castlewood, 41 vs. Hurley. Best: Eastside (6-0, 1.000), Twin Valley (15-1, .938), John Battle (132, .867). Worst: Jonesvillle (0-8, .000), Gate City (0-6-1, .071), Richlands (1-13, .071). Hurley Most games: 52 vs. Haysi, 49 vs. Garden, 41 vs.Honaker Best: Montcalm (11-1, .917), Whitewood (8-1, .889), Cumberland, Herndon (5-1, .833). Worst: Richlands (0-5, .000), Matewan (1-10, .091), Lebanon, Iaeger (2-13, .133). Narrows Narrows: 79 vs. Galax, 57 vs. George Wythe, 56 vs. Giles, 55 vs. Christiansburg. Best: Fries (10-0, 1.000),
Pembroke (7-1, .833), Garden (9-2, .818). Worst: James Monroe (0-15, .000, Rural Retreat (1-8, .111), Graham (1-8-1, .150). Richlands Most games: 94 vs. Graham, 92 vs. Tazewell 92, 81 vs. Grundy, 65 vs. Virginia High. Best: Pocahontas (19-0, 1.000), Northfork (6-0, 1.000), Hurley (5-0, 1,000), Rich Valley (8-0-1. 944). Worst: Big Stone Gap (1-8-1, .150), Giles (1-4, .200), Bluefield (7-24, .226). Tazewell Most games: 97 vs. Graham, 92 vs. Richlands, 72 vs. Virginia High, 70 vs. Grundy, 66 vs. Marion Best: Elkhorn (7-0, 1.000), Pearisburg (8-0-1, .944), John Battle (19-2, .905). Worst: Blacksburg (1-9, .100), Bluefield (5-12, .294), Gate City (10-24, .294). Twin Valley Most games: 16 vs. Honaker, 14 vs. Hurley, Haysi, 11 vs. Ervinton, Grundy, Montcalm. Best: Montcalm (8-3, .727), Pocahontas (5-2, .714). Worst: Haysi (0-14, .000), Castlewood (0-6, .000), Northwood (0-6, .000). ••• West Virginia Bluefield Most games: 91 vs. Graham, 88 vs. Princeton, 71 vs. Woodrow
guard Deiyantei Powell-Woods and tackle Mason Walker. Both played a lot last year and are “smart kids,” Simon said. The other starting guard could be Nathan Pettus or Alahzjae Dowell, and the remaining tackle is likely to be Sean Martin or John Duffy. Incumbent tight end Drake Mullins, who’s about 20 pounds heftier than last fall, returns, and Tyrek Robinson is also seeking playing time there. Hopefuls at wideout include Blevins, Jahiem House, Russ Coleman and freshman Isaiah Johnson. The defense will also benefit from more seasoned performers. Powell-Woods, Dowell and Pettus were battling for the starts on the interior line. Mullins and Garrett Jordan have the edge at defensive end. “Truck and Arnold Martin look pretty good at (inside) linebacker,” Simon said. “They both move well, and they’re good size.” The assignments
at outside backer will be sorted out among Davis, Blevins, Cooper, Markeice Neal and Tony Webster. The secondary will be hard to penetrate with Collier and House stationed at safety and cornerbacks such as Shamar Hairston, Cooper, Coleman and freshman Isaiah Johnson ready to step in. Kaulin Parris returns after a brilliant freshman year as kicker, and a summer that included kicking camps. Either he or Collier will punt the ball. The return game is well-staffed with options including Collier, Davis, Cooper and Shamar Hairston “We should have a really good special teams unit this year,” Simon said. “Coach (Ted) Spadaro will coach ‘em up!” Thanks to tweaks in the beefed-up preseason practice schedule, Bluefield looks to be more organized for its premiere in tonight’s BeaverGraham game.
Wilson, 55 vs. Welch. Best: Elkhorn (8-0, 1.000), PikeView (6-0, 1.000), Scott (6-0, 1.000), Liberty-Harrison (5-0, 1.000). Worst: Patrick HenryRoanoke (1-5, .200), Stonewall Jackson (2-5, .286), Charleston (4-12-4, .300). James Monroe 23 vs. Greenbrier East, 22 vs. Bluefield 20 vs. Summers County, PikeView. Best: Narrows (15-0, 1.000), Richwood (9-0, 1.000), PikeView (19-1, .950). Worst: Bluefield (4-18, .182), Nicholas County (1-4, .200), Chapmanville (3-4, .429). Montcalm Most games: 16 vs. Hannan, 14 vs. Craig County, 12 vs. Pocahontas, 11 vs. Twin Valley, 10 vs. Big Creek, Van Best: Hannan (12-4, .750), Burch (3-3, .500). Worst:: Van (0-10, .000), Meadow Bridge (0-9, .000), Williamson (0-6, .000), Bland County (0-6 .000). Mount View Most games: 39 vs. Man, 31 vs. Bluefield, 25 vs. Big Creek, Logan, 24 vs. Iaeger, 23 vs. Princeton, Woodrow Wilson. Best: Shady Spring (5-1, .833), Iaeger (18-6, .750), Oak Hill (13-5, .722). Worst: Tug Valley (0-5, .000), Graham (1-7, .125), James Monroe (1-7, .125), PikeView Most games: 23 vs. Independence, 20 vs. James Monroe, Liberty, 18 vs. Shady
Graham... Continued from 7
Dante Vineyard, a 6’2, 220pound juggernaut who earned All-2A first team status as a linebacker last season, returns to lead the defense, which returns 11 players who are either returning starters or massively experience. Vineyard seems very likely to be playing somewhere next fall. Sack-happy Workman is a proven veteran around which the line should cohere and grow. The G-Men still have Michael Mason, Gray and Reed to join Vineyard among a talented tribe of linebackers. Allen, Cooke, and Lester lead a very talented pool of defensive backs. “(Dante) sets the defense for us. He’s our quarterback on
Spring, Summers County, Best: River View (4-3, .571), Tug Valley (4-4, .500), Summers County (7-11, .389). Worst:: Bluefield (0-6, .000), James Monroe (1-19, .050), Greenbrier East (1-12, .083). Princeton Most games: 88 vs. Bluefield, 65 vs. Oak Hill, 59 vs. Summers County/Hinton, 57 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 51 vs. Gary, Welch. Best: Shady Spring (17-1-1, .921), Fayetteville (6-0-1, .929), Northfork (26-6-2, .794). Worst: East Bank (0-6, .000), Capital (2-12, .143), George Washington (2-12, .143). River View Most games: 7 vs. Man, Mount View, PikeView, Westside, Wyoming East. Best: Mount View (5-2, .814), PikeView (3-4, .429), Man (3-4, .429). Worst:: Westside (1-5-1. 214), Wyoming East (2-5, .286). Summers County Most games: 65 vs. Shady Spring, 50 vs. Greenbrier West, 41 vs. Independence. Best:: White Sulphur Spring, Gary, Trap Hill (5-0, 1.000). Worst: Greenbrier East (1-13, .071), Liberty-Raleigh (3-12, .200), Greenbrier West (11-39, .220). Wyoming East Most games: 20 vs. Independence, 15 vs. Westside, 12 vs. James Monroe. Best: Sherman (8-2, .800, Oak Hill (4-1, .800). Worst: Scott (0-9, .000), Nicholas County (0-4, .000).
defense. He’s experienced and a student of the game,” Palmer said. “He’s one of those guys we have to physically make to leave the field house because he wants to sit and watch film. He wants to do whatever he can to get better.” Drawing from last season’s experience, building depth in order to better cope with injuries over an extended postseason has been a point of emphasis for the program during the off-season. That’s what elite teams do. Graham is knocking on the door of elite status. It might as well open the door, cross the threshold and own those expectations. “We lost to one team last year. That’s it,” Palmer said. “And that one team played for a state title.”
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 39 West Virginia Records vs. 2017 opponents Opponents records compiled by Rick Baker
Bluefield Football Schedule: Graham (1911-2016, 66-23-2), Princeton (1925-2016, 59-27-2), Woodrow Wilson (1925-2016, 26-43-2), Greenbrier East (1971-2016, 31-8), Tazewell (1929-1998, 12-5), Richlands (1938-2016, 24-7), Point Pleasant (1983-2016, 2-1), Man (1963-2016, 7-1), Oak Hill (1926-2016, 36-8-1), James Monroe (1994-2016, 18-4). James Monroe Football Schedule: Greenbrier East (1994-2016, 14-9), Point Pleasant (2014-2016, 3-0), Independence (2006-2016, 2-0), PikeView (1994-2016, 19-1), Wyoming East (1999-2016, 7-5), Nicholas County (2010-2016, 1-4), Westside (2013-2016, 2-2), Princeton (1998-2016, 5-5), Liberty (2004-2016, 8-2), Bluefield (1994-2016, 4-18). Montcalm Football Schedule: Hannan (1995-2016, 12-4), Twin Valley (2004-2016, 3-8), Narrows (2013-2016, 0-4), Craig County (1997-2013, 2-12); Hurley (2003-2016, 1-11), River View (2015-2016, 0-2), Meadow Bridge (2003-2011, 0-9), Webster County (first meeting). Mount View Football Schedule: River View (2010-2016, 2-5), Man (1978-2016, 15-24), Oak Hill (19792016, 13-5), Summers County (2013-2016, 0-4), Point Pleasant (2016, 0-1), Notre Dame (2016, 1-0), Tolsia (2015-2016, 0-2), Tug Valley (2010-2016, 0-5), PikeView (1995-2016, 1-3), Meadow Bridge (2011-2016, 1-5). PikeView Panthers Football Schedule: Summers County (1994-2016, 7-11), Independence (19942016, 5-18), Liberty (1994-2016, 3-17), James Monroe (1994-2016 1-19), Shady Spring (1994-2016 ,5-13), Fayetteville (2016, 0-1), Wyoming East (2010-2016, 2-5), River View (2010-2016, 4-3), Mount View (1995-2016, 3-1), Nicholas County (2014-2016, 0-3). Princeton Tigers Football Schedule: Buckhannon-Upshur (2015-16, 2-0), Bluefield (1925-2016, 27-592), Parkersburg South (1978-2004, 1-5), Musselman (2002-2004, 1-1), Graham (1937-2012, 9-15), Oak Hill (1926-2016, 36-27-2), James Monroe (1998-2016, 5-5), Wheeling Park (2000-2016, 1-2), Greenbrier East (1968-2016, 21-24), Brooke (1986-2009, 0-3). River View Raiders Football Schedule: Mount View (2000-2016, 5-2), Tazewell (first meeting), Hurley (first meeting), Man (2010-2016 3-4), Wyoming East (2010-2016, 2-5), Montcalm (2015-2016, 2-0), PikeView (2010-2016, 3-4), Westside (2010-2016, 1-5-1), Sherman (2016, 0-1), Grundy (2015-2016, 0-2).
Summers County Bobcats Football Schedule: PikeView (1994-2016, 11-7), Shady Spring (1926-2016, 42-22-1), Mount View (2013-2016, 4-0), Greenbrier West (1968-2016, 11-39), Webster County (20152016, 2-0), Independence (1976-2016, 19-22), Meadow Bridge (1977, 2016, 7-3), Pocahontas County (1971-2016, 15-5), Richwood (1938-2016, 24-16), Fayetteville (1937-72, 5-4-1). d rWyoming East Warriors Football Schedule: Fayetteville (first meeting), Westside (3-12, 2002-2016), sNicholas County (2013-2016, 0-4), Oak Hill (1998-2002, 4-1), James Monroe (1999-2016, 5-7), River oView (2010-2016, 5-2), PikeView (2010-2016, 5-2), Shady Spring (2011-2016, 3-2), Independence e(1998-2016, 12-8), Liberty (1998-2016, 10-7). . Records since 2001 State championships e W-L Pct. 2016 Ranking 1. Richlands
2. Giles s 3. Bluefield n 4. James Monroe 5. Honaker - 6. Graham - 7. Hurley 8. Grundy - 9. Princeton 10. River View e 11. Wyoming East e 12. Narrows Summers County g 13. 14. Bland County 15. Tazewell t 16. Mount View , 17. Montcalm n 18. Twin Valley 19. PikeView
169-39 . 151-44 139-54 122-59 123-62 107-80 84-85 81-93 73-92 32-41-1 68-89 66-103 67-105 59-104 60-110 58-108 38-116 45-119 33-130
.813 .774 .720 .674 .665 .572 .497 .465 .442 .439 .433 .391 .390 .362 .353 .349 .328 .274 .254
1 2 3 5 4 6 10 8 11 7 9 12 13 15 14 16 17 18 19
Bluefield (10): 2009, 2007, 2004, 1997, 1984, 1975, 1967, 1965, 1962, 1960. Giles (4): 2013, 2005, 1993, 1980. Graham (3): 1995, 1989, 1962 Richlands (2): 2006, 1992. Summers County (2), as Hinton: 1968 (voted state champions in 1937) Tazewell (1): 1986. Wyoming East (1): 1999
.Twin Valley Football Schedule: Jenkins Ky. (first meeting), Montcalm (2004-2016, 8-3), Honaker d(2001-2016, 1-15), Northwood (2011-2016, 0-6), Craig County (first meeting), Grundy (2001-2016, e1-10), East Ridge Ky. (2013-2016, 2-2), Thomas Walker (2015-2016, 2-0), Rye Cove (2012-2016, 3-2), Hurley (2001-2016, 5-11).
Virginia Records vs. 2017 opponents Opponents records compiled by Rick Baker
Bland County: Craig County (1992-2016, 12-11), Narrows (19922016, 10-16), Northwood (1994-2016, 6-5), Eastern Montgomery (Shawsville) (1992-2016, 9-16), Grayson County (1992-2016, 3-22), Rural Retreat (1996-2016, 1-7), Auburn (1992-2008, 7-10), George Wythe (1995-2015, 1-3), Galax (1992-2016, 7-18), Fort Chiswell (1992-2016, 9-16).
Giles: Blacksburg (1961-2016, 24-30-2), Christiansburg (19612016, 26-18-1), Graham (1986-2016, 5-3), Narrows (1961-2016, 39-16-1), Floyd County (1964-2016, 36-7), Radford (1961-2016, 27-29), James River (1980-2012, 3-1), Carroll County (Hillsville) (1961-1989, 16-10-1), Glenvar (1996-2016, 20-4), Alleghany (19841985, 1-1). Graham: Bluefield (1911-2016, 23-66-2), Tazewell (1927-2016, 55-37-5), Giles (1986-2016, 3-5), Central-Wise (never played, 0-1 vs. Wise, ‘40), Princeton (1937-2012, 15-9), Lebanon (1956-2016, 2013-1), Virginia High (1937-2010, 23-2015-2), Richlands (19272016, 50-39-5), Fort Chiswell (2011-2016, 5-1), Marion (1941-2012, 35-16-4).
Grundy Football Schedule: Ridgeview (2015-2016, 0-2); CentralWise (2015-2016, 1-1); Lebanon (1936-2016, 12-11-1), Honaker (1935-2016, 14-9-1), Twin Valley (2001-2016, 10-1), Hurley (19522016, 21-6), John I. Burton (1941, Norton, 0-1), Pikeville, Ky (1941-1956, 1-10), Tazewell (1928-2016, 29-39-2), River View (2015-2016, 2-0).
Honaker football schedule: Lebanon (1936-2006, 14-36-2), Castlewood (1963-2016, 28-20), Twin Valley (2001-2016, 15-1), Grundy (1935-2016, 9-14-1), George Wythe (2012-2016, 1-3), John I. Burton (1940-2016, also Norton, 2-9), Hurley (1961-2016, 31-8-2), Patrick Henry (1962-2012, 7-2), Northwood (1987-2015, 3-3); Ridgeview (2015-2016, 1-1).
Hurley Football Schedule: Rye Cove (1965-2012, 8-13), Eastern Montgomery (first meeting), Pike Central, Ky. (Pikeville, 1953, 0-1), River View (first meeting), Montcalm (2003-2016, 11-1), Tazewell (first meeting), Grundy (1952-2016, 6-21), Honaker (1961-2016, 8-31-2), Tug Valley (2003-2007, 1-4), Twin Valley (2001-2016, 11-5). Narrows Football Schedule: Auburn (1988-2016, 14-8), Bland County (1992-2016, 16-10), Montcalm (2013-2016, 4-0), Giles (1961-2016, 16-39-1), Holston (first meeting), Covington (19892010, 1-5), Eastern Montgomery (1927-2016+Shawsville, 17-12-1), Craig County (1999-2016, 13-3), Bath County (1993-2009, 2-2), Parry McCluer, (1990-2004, 0-3). Richlands Football Schedule: Gate City (1933-2016, 24-23-1), Union (2011-2016, 3-3), Blacksburg (1991-1995, 2-2), Willliam Byrd (1990-1991, 2-0), Bluefield (1938-2016, 7-24), Tazewell (19262016, 49-41-2), Marion (1930-2014, 41-16-1), Graham (1927-2016, 39-50-5), Lebanon (1962-2016, 22-7), Virginia High (1937-2016, 35-28-2).
Tazewell Football Schedule: Virginia High (1928-2016, 42-31), Graham (1927-2016, 37-55-5), River View (first meeting), Marion (1941-2016, 40-24-2), Bluefield (1929-1998, 5-12), Hurley (first meeting), Richlands (1926-2016, 41-49-2), Fort Chiswell (first meeting), Grundy (1928-2016, 39-32-2), Lebanon (1967-2016, 17-14).
40 | Friday, August 25, 2017
Twenty-five teams, 25 (or more) storylines to watch T
C
By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — Who will be the teams to beat in 2017? There are 19 area high school football teams, all working toward the same ultimate goal, which is to win a state championship. Some hopes are realistic, others not so much. Every program is not the same. Some can be expected to compete to be among the best in the state. Others are just hoping for a playoff berth, while some schools are simply building toward a better future, perhaps a year or two down the road. What awaits the 19 teams, and the six college teams from the region as the season begins? Here is a very brief look at each of the schools. PREPS Bland County: More than 30 players make up the Bland County roster, and that includes just three seniors, only one of whom has played in the past. The Bears will be cubs this season. Bluefield: A 4-6 record last season left the Beavers sitting home during the postseason. Don’t expect that to happen again. Mookie Collier has done everything but a win a playoff game. That should change this season. Giles: The single wing lives on in Pearisburg, where the Spartans saw their four-year run of 10-win seasons come to an end. Count Ryan Beidleman among the best players in the two-state region. Graham: Could this be the year the G-Men snap its 10-game losing skid to Richlands? Definitely. Graham lost twice to the Blues last season, including in the state quarterfinals. It is Taymon Cooke’s moment to shine. Grundy: Craig Plymal led the Golden Wave to seven wins and a playoff berth in his first season on the sidelines. Grundy
Bluefield’s Mookie Collier had won just 11 games in the previous four years combined. The Wave could flow once again. Honaker: Four double-digit win seasons in a row have been followed by eight and then three in 2016. It has been a summer of heartbreak in Honaker. Hopefully, these Tigers can give the community reason to smile. Hurley: More than 4,400 in rushing yards departed from a team that went 11-1 last season, falling in the second round of the playoffs. Don’t expect the Rebels to fall apart. Greg Tester has built a solid small school program. James Monroe: Eleven wins, including a berth in the Class AA state semifinals was a season to remember in Lindside. There were plenty of departure, but the Mavericks will be still be a tough out. Montcalm: At least the numbers are up, and the Generals look good in their uniforms, just check out the team photo to follow soon. It is still an uphill climb for one of the smallest football playing schools in the state. Mount View: After winning 10 games in nine years, the Golden Knights were 5-5 and in playoff contention into the last week of the season. This team capable of continuing that ascent to respectability
File photo
once again. Narrows: Cole Blaker is now at Virginia Tech, but the Green Wave has the size to push opponents around in their first season in the Pioneer District. Narrows is seeking its first consecutive winning campaigns since 2004-05. PikeView: Always one of the best overall athletic programs in the area, the Panthers have struggled on the gridiron, having won three or fewer games six straight years. Developing a football mentality is the task ahead. Princeton: Chris Pedigo is the third head coach in four years for the Tigers, but he played at Princeton and has been an assistant there for more than a decade. He has young talent, and plenty of holes to fill. Richlands: The Blues rebuild, and this season should be no different. Richlands came one game short of a state title in 2016, and will be among the favorites to play into December in the year ahead. River View: Wayne Hall becomes the third head coach in the eight-year history at River View. He has 50-plus players on his roster, and they seem plenty eager to bring the winning ways back to Bradshaw. Summers County: Nathan Tanner left Hinton for
File photo by Roger Shrewsbury
James Monroe’s Grant Mohler Martinsville, with the Bobcats now led by Chris Vicars, who hopes to continue the resurgence on the gridiron that includes at least seven wins in four of the last five years. Tazewell: Quite possibly the most exciting team to watch in 2016, the Bulldogs scored lots of points, but gave up a lot more. J’me Harris has the task of finding the answers with a small roster and little experience. Twin Valley: The Panthers have gone 6-5 with a first round playoff exit three seasons in a row. Twin Valley will play teams from three states, including two from Kentucky and Montcalm from West Virginia. Wyoming East: Two 3-7 seasons in a row have the fans in “The WarZone” yearning for more, especially after the Warriors won 28 in the prevous four seasons. They have lost three straight to archrival Westside. COLLEGES Don’t forget college football, which is easily the second most popular sport in America behind the NFL. For this scribe, it is tops on the list. Bluefield: Dewey Lusk brings a Southwest Virginia touch to the Rams, who are 5-50 in five seasons, with Lusk being the
third head coach in six years. He brings with him an infectious smile and winning attitude. Concord: It was a tough first season for Paul Price, whose Mountain Lions seven straight to finish the year with a 2-9 record. This team will be playing for popular defensive coordinator Pat Dawson, who died last month. Marshall: It was a disastrous season for the Thundering Herd, which followed up three straight 10-win plus campaigns with a 3-9 mark last year. Doc Holliday won’t allow that to happen again. Virginia: Ditto for Bronco Mendenhall in his first season at Virginia, winning just two games. The Cavaliers have two All-American candidates on defense, but the problem is the offense. Scoring points is a must. Virginia Tech: Justin Fuente restored normalcy to Virginia Tech with a 10-win season in 2016. The Hokies will once again challenge in the Coastal Division title, but will this finally be Miami’s year? West Virginia: Optimism is sky high with the addition of Will Grier at quarterback, but defense will be the concern for the Mountaineers. Another 10-win season will depend on that side of the ball.
Tigers...
Continued from 10
serve as fullbacks, while Chase Carty, Chiron Cannady, Brady Martin, Ali Abdelwahed and Brennan Anderson will line up as receivers. Sophomore Ransom Graham had the early lead at quarterback over Khayman York and Sibley. “We feel like we are really fortunate and deep with our running backs. We don’t have any exceptional speed, but I feel like we have a lot of good guys,” Pedigo said. “Ransom Graham right now is probably leading the way, but that is still yet to be determined there. We have lot of guys rotating in. We just have go much youth and y we are just trying to find where we can put them.” Leading the Tigers on defense will be Ricky Sawyers, Malachi Cooper, Josiah Gore and Lilly at tackles, while Thacker, Perkins, Abdelwahed and Berholtz are among numerous options on the ends. Nick Debusk, Edwards,
Richlands.... Continued from 9
excited about our front seven.” That includes Race Moir and Dylan Atkins at ends, and the returning tackle tandem of second team all-state performer Andrew “Bull” Dye and Greg Griffith. He will also put the linebacker duo of Seth Johnson and Justus, a transfer from Hurley, against any duo that has played at Richlands. Offensively, the Blues won’t be in the spread as often now that John-Luke Asbury, Scottie Ball and Cody Howie have departed. Trey Brown is a capable quarterback as a runner and thrower, and will be joined in the backfield by running backs James White, Tre Booker or PikeView transfer Anthony Bisaha. Taylor Horn and Daniel Brown give Brown solid targets on the outside, along with Jakob Cole and Ian Wade, while Dye could provide a large target at tight end. “We are real excited about
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 41 Nelson, Barton, Sibley and Holston are candidates at linebacker, while the secondary will include a combination of Carter, Shumate, Taylor, Cannady and perhaps freshmen Ethan Parsons and Josiah Honaker. The Tigers are also working on special teams, an area that make or break a team in a close game. “We are so young, all those guys are young. We are working there hard,” Pedigo said. “We are working special teams hard. We feel like being a young team that you have got to be good in all three phases of the game to try to keep yourself in games. “If you do neglect it you are going to pay for it, there is going to be a big play.” Princeton started fast in each of the last two seasons, but struggled down the stretch, missing the playoffs with a 5-5 record. Perhaps the switch to the triple option will help with assist with those goals. “We are running the triple option, back to what we were
doing when we had (Jay) Palmer here. I feel like we had a lot of success...,” Pedigo said. “That is our goal now. If you don’t have a lot of speed, but you feel like if guys are running and executing the right way than we can pull some of those teams that we are going to be playing and try to make it a game in the fourth quarter.” So far Pedigo has enjoyed his first opportunity as head coach. The Tigers have helped in the transition. “The first year as head coach has been fun. The kids are learning. We are switching a lot of things around and we have a lot of new kids,” he said. “We had a large senior class that graduated last year that had a lot of success. “Our kids are really listening to what we want them to do and we are just trying to get them in the right place, find the best fit for everybody and try to put the best 11 out on the field. It has been a process, but it has been a good process.”
James White. James played a lot for us last year, probably had 500 or 600 yards rushing on the season and did a great job in the state championship game, had a great game,” Mance said. “He has gotten heavier and stronger and faster so we feel great with James. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, he is strong, he is quick. “At receiver we are really young with the exception of Daniel Brown and Taylor Horn, those two are special receivers.” Experience in the secondary is a definite concern, but Mance is confident in those filling the roles, including Horn, Booker, Daniel Brown, Will Tarter, Jacob Hess and Logan Altizer. Mance is also excited about kicker Levi Forrest, who had a stellar freshman season for the Blues. “We are going to give up some plays in the passing game, we understand that, but we just can’t give the quarterback
a lot of time. With our front seven, they shouldn’t have a lot of time, that will be the key there,” he said. “We like that group, it is just a little young and we are growing and getting better. When we turn the lights on we will see what happens.” There will be plenty of expectations for the Blues, but Mance understands. Winning breeds winning, and Richlands has done plenty of it over recent years. “Defense, we love, we have just got to fix the secondary and get some reps and some experience,” he said. “Offensively, I think we are going to be really good, I don’t think we are going to score 48 or 50 a game because we are going to have to run the ball, which will slow the process down, but I do think it will be a formula we can win football games with. Take care of the football, field position... We can’t turn the ball over, that is the key. We are going to be really good on defense.”
Tazewell’s Hunter O’Quinn
Bulldogs
Continued from 8 500, will anchor the offensive line, along with Tristan Tullocki and freshman Josh Herndon. Isaiah Rife and Barry Sluss, who played JV last year, are expected to round out the starting five. Defensively, there is plenty of work to be done. Tulloch and Witt will be joined on the defensive line by Young and Cameron Taylor. The hard-hitting O’Quinn will lead at linebacker, along with Thompson and freshman Jayden Thompson. The secondary will be equally young, including Myers and Harris at safeties, with Mullins, Honaker and Josiah Jordan at corners. Mullins was also an all-conference punter last season. “Defensively, it is going to be real young. They grasp things quickly, they are picking up the stuff, but the expectations, it is going to be a learning curve
File photo
and a process,” Harris said. “I think we gave up 48 points a game last year, hopefully we will improve on that...We have to instill that attitude in these kids to be aggressive. Defense is all about attitude and aggressiveness and a want-to.” Now it’s time to win some games, and get some folks out to the games. They will have to wait until Sept. 29 to finally play at home. “You are going to love these kids. Anybody that comes and watches them is going to like them because they are dedicated and they work hard,” Harris said. “They are trying to change the culture here, they understand what this place has been in the past and what they want to make it so anybody that believes in dedication and hard work is going to like these kids and the way they play. “They may make some mistakes because of their youth, but they are going to give you everything you have got. They are a good group of kids.”
42 | Friday, August 25, 2017
Staff photo by George Thwaites
Kip Green
Spartans... Continued from 15
File photo
Being watched...
Graham senior defensive back and wide receiver Taymon Cooke is getting plenty of attention from college recruiters entering his senior season with the G-Men. Cooke has been contacted 15 times from colleges, and has had 12 offers, including from West Virginia, Michigan State, Virginia and James Madison.
Narrows...
Continued from 14
fer Wyatt Freeman (6-1, 175), who started at QB for Eastern Montgomery last season. “They each bring a different skill set. Wyatt is a little more tall, a little more lanky. Chase is about the same. Ian is senior returnee, who was Blaker’s backup last year. So he’s got a pretty good handle on the offense and has been in the system for a while,” coach Lowe said. “Not only are they three pretty good quarterbacks, they’re three pretty good athletes. Whoever isn’t starting at quarterback will be getting reps somewhere on the field. It’s not a situation where we’’ have two backup QBs standing on the sideline,” Lowe said. On defense, the front will boast the dual threats of Martin and Stinson, with Wolfe
thrown in for the bargain. Mullins will return at one tight end. McKinney, the team’s leading tackler, returns at linebacker. Clemons is also a linebacker. In the secondary, both Blaker brothers will be joined by Ferguson and Kantsios. Competition for playing time at several spots has proceeded during camp. The Green Wave will run multiple defenses out of a no-huddle system the staff installed last year. “We feel like teams are trying to speed up and do no-huddle things offensively. We’re trying to adapt to that defensively,” Lowe said. “We were never caught out of position. We were always ready when the ball was snapped. Nobody tried to quick-snap us. It worked good for us,” Narrows opens its season with Auburn at home then hosts Bland County in the Battle On Wolf Creek and trav-
els to Montcalm before colliding with traditional rival Giles at Pearisburg. After an open date the Green Wave travel to Holston before beginning district play. This year Narrows begins play in the Pioneer District, which contains traditional playoff contenders Parry McCluer, Covington and Bath County, as well as Craig County and Eastern Montgomery. “We did something last year we hadn’t done in the long time. We went to the playoffs and had a winning season. These kids haven’t been complacent. They’ve been working hard to improve on everything,” Lowe said. “The playoffs are the goal ... the main thing we preach. We know what’s at the end of the road and we want to get there. But we want to stay focused. If we go 1-0 each week, we know we’ll get there.”
makers like Austin Pennington and Anthony Meadows and lost several other expected returnees are missing due to injures. “This is a whole new season and a whole new team. We’ve got some kids not playing because they’re injured. It’s a whole different thing. We’ve got new sophomores and new juniors,” said Williams. “You can’t go on what you did last year. It’s a whole brand-new process from day one.” The offense returns six returning starters, including running back Jacoby Wilson, who played some at wingback last year, and senior tailback Ryan Beidleman, who is the closest thing Giles’ single wing scheme has to a quarterback. Logan O’Brien, last year’s backup fullback, is expected to play a bigger role in the backfield this season and Ratcliff, who started on defense last season. will get lots of reps at wingback. The front is what’s worth keeping an eye on. The veterans include guard Ben Reynolds (5’11, 255 pounds, Sr.), tackle Ethan Roe (6’1, 260, Sr.), center Matthew Gillespie (6’0, 220, Sr.), guard Landon Porterfield (6’2, 215, Sr.) and end Conner Martin (6’2, 204, Sr.). Now throw into the mix sophomore end Kip Green (6’4, 282, So.), a behemoth whose capable pass-catching hands are secondary to his blocking ability in Giles’ single wing scheme. “He’s a big-time recruit as a sophomore. He’s being
Staff photo by George Thwaites
Kelly Lowe
recruited by Tech, Duke, North Carolina ... different schools. He started for us last year as a freshman. He’s going to be a legit Division I recruit for us,” said Williams. “We’re going to put him at tight end but at that level he’s probably going to play offensive guard. Him playing tight end for us is like having another offensive lineman.” Green started on defense last year and will continue to create match-up problems at the defensive end spot and at the defensive tackle. Martin, a good all-around athlete and three-year starter who also plays basketball for the Spartans, will return at the other defensive end. The secondary is solid. Beidleman, Wilson, Ratcliffe and O’Brien all played in the defensive backfield last year. Ben Reynolds (5’11, 255) is a veteran presence around which to build on the defensive line. “We’re looking at some linebackers but we have some young kids we’re hoping will be playing for us,” Williams said. “I think Dayton Brown will be playing for us in there some and Ty Lowery is a sophomore that we’ve been impressed with over the first week and a half.” The Spartans have a history of the next man stepping up, ability-wise. What Williams is most concerned about this season is having players step up leadership-wise. “The thing we’ve got to find on this team is leadership. If we can’t get some leadership out of our seniors, it could be a long season,” Williams said.
PikeView...
ber of ways. Jacob Honaker and William Duncan can also provided real-time reps as well as depth for the backfield. If Michael Whittaker can mend in time to join the squad, that’s even more depth in the skill positions. “We plan on rushing first and throwing second,” announced the 6’2, 230 Damewood. “It all starts up front.” The Panthers aren’t entirely comprised of cave men. But the OL is a strong point. Smashmouth offense was a positive for PikeView late last season. “We’re not athletic enough to say we’re going to spread you out and do different things to you. We’ll go right at peo-
ple,” Wyatt said. “We ended up punching the ball straight at people and it kind of worked for them.” The Panthers can afford to spell a kid here and there, but for the most part, the same 11 who start on offense are the key players on defense. Hence Wyatt’s anxiety about injuries. The defensive front will feature White and Price as tackles with Vaught and Mullins at the needs. Rose, Mitchelson, Honaker and Damewood are the leading linebackers. Keen, Johnston and Ethan Begovich are the leaders in the secondary. “The last half of the season we started playing hard and competing. We were in the game with Mount View and played very very well at Nicholas County. It was only 14-7 at halftime. They punched a couple in there in the third quarter that kind of made the spread but be hung in there and fought with them. I’m proud of the way my kids played,” Wyatt said. Mitchelson, for one, remains optimistic that the fighting spirit has carried over. “This year I really hope for us to play four quarters every game — even when we’re down. We’ve got to keep the tempo up. After halftime we want to come out with the same intensity,” Mitchelson said. “We haven’t done good in the past few years or so. We really have a lot of pressure because we want to look good for our community as well as our coaches,” Mitchelson said.
linemen include returnee Noah Dillon, Bryce Dickerson, Noah Ramsey, Mark Livingston and a promising “new face,” Jaden Clarkson. He and the McKlarneys are also possible starters at linebacker. That corps is anchored by Thad Fullen, with “hard hitter” Hall also on patrol. Monroe Mohler returns to the secondary after starting most of his freshman year there. Moore and Boothe will join him, along with Jacob Mann, who Mustain said is “probably our best open-field tackler.”
The coach said that from the first day of contact on defense, “I was pretty excited with what I saw: A lot of kids swarming to the ball, kids hitting hard.” Mustain said the team and the community has been dealing with a “definitely tough” tragedy. A James Monroe senior-to-be, Landon Lowe, died in a car accident a week before practice started. When the team photo was taken, his teammates held up his No. 33 jersey in the middle of the group.
Continued from 11
big things from him. When we get the ball in his hands, people are going to find out they can’t just let him go, because he’s going to be running the ball a lot.” That’s good because the Panthers also return running sback Evan Rose, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season — including an extremely rare (for PikeView) 200-plus yard breakout game against River View. “With the line blocking, it was really easy to get those yards,” said Rose. “I’ve got most of my blocking back, so I’m really thankful for that.” Center Logan Price, tackles Matt Damewood and and Tanner Hazelwood, guards Dakota Mullins and Jordan Vaught are a solid interior. Trey White will also see some reps in the OL at various spots. “All the kids who are starting up front played almost the entire season, except for sophomore Tanner Hazelwood. We lost him in the fifth game of the season,” Wyatt said. “If we can stay away from the injury bug, I realy think these kids can be competitive.” Other seasoned skill kids in the mix include receiver Brian Keen, who played the whole season and made some good catches. Matt Johnson had a great year as a pass-catcher. Devyn Burley has emerged as a utility skill player who can help the offense in any num-
Mavs...
Continued from 18 Carr, Josh Martin and Xander Castillo. On the line, Mustain said, “We weren’t really overly big last year, but what little bit of size we had, we lost it. We’re a little bit quicker than we were last year. … With this offense, we want really quick linemen who can get to their blocks.” Brothers Ethan and Isaac McKlarney, both seniors, provide experience on the offensive and defensive lines. Other
Staff by Jessica Nuzzo
Bobby Wyatt
Wave...
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 43
Continued from 19 “We have what we had last year. We’ve had kids willing to change jersey numbers and go to guard and Tristan Justus is one of those kids. He wants to be on the field and he’s going to be at left guard and he’s doing a pretty good job replacing (Tyler) Scarberry.” Grundy will benefit this year from the tremendous strides Endicott made over the course of last year, especially after the injury to Cole Street thrust him into the full-time QB role. “Derek didn’t start throwing the ball well till week three,” Plymal said. “From week three on he just kept getting better. “He’s a leader and he’s got the confidence to step up. He’s got a lot of arm strength. We visited a (quarterback) camp and Derick was very impressive.” McNutt will have ample help in the backfield from versatile junior Gabe Fiser (5-9, 160). He’ll play a larger role this season. The younger McCoy, Street (5-11, 205), who is now a senior, junior Casey Lawson (5-10, 170) and sophomore tight end Jack Cooper (6-0, 190) round out a potentially deep group of receivers, “We can get a little more creative this year after they’ve learned the basics and McNutt’s going to be a big part of that again,” added Plymal. “He works so hard and runs so hard and we’ve got anoth-
Staff photo by Tom Bone
John Mustain
Contributed photo
Craig Plymal
er good back in Gabe Fiser. He’ll be able to give us a little split-back look. I think he’s gonna have a good year also. Cole Street gives us a good slot back. He’s gonna be able to option a little bit.” The defense also benefits from another year of experience. “Defensively, we return a lot of people,” Plymal stated. “We’re gonna be good again in the defensive line with Donovan Owens and Matt McCowan returning. “The linebackers are all back. We moved Casey Lawson from free to outside linebacker. Derick’s gonna step in at free (safety) and Paul Hunt gives us good speed at the corner. We’ve added Jordan Hardin, he’s a senior. He’s not been with us, but he’s gonna play some in the secondary.” Owens, a 6-4, 252-pound senior and Matt McCowan, a 6-1, 250-pound junior, work inside and Tristan and Colton Justus are at defensive end. Fiser is opposite Lawson at outside linebacker and McNutt and Street will work inside. Hardin, Jake McCoy and Hunt, a 5-9, 160-pound senior, could all see time on the corners in the Wave secondary. The younger McCoy can also handle punting and kicking duties, along with freshman Sage Keen (5-9, 170).
44 | Friday, August 25, 2017 First Team Offense QB—John-Luke Asbury, Richlands, Sr. RB—Jamorya’ Cousin, Graham, Sr. RB—Brady Justice, Hurley, Sr. RB—Zach Standifur, Princeton, Sr. FB—Jason Edwards, Bluefield, Jr. WR—Mookie Collier, Bluefield, Jr. WR—Taymon Cooke, Graham, Jr. WR—Cody Howie, Richlands, Sr. TE—Mohammed Abdulwahed, Princeton Sr C—Cordell Click, River View, Sr. OL—Neil Carini, Richlands, Jr. OL—Cole Carter, Graham, Sr. OL—Logan Justus, Hurley, Sr. OL—Ben Reynolds, Giles, Jr. UTIL—Ben Meade, Graham, Sr. K—Jordan Stout, Honaker, Sr. KR—Austin Pennington, Giles, Sr. Defense DL—Cole Cochran, Princeton, Sr. DL—Cody Dales, Twin Valley, Sr. DL—Deon Diggs, Mount View, Sr. DL—Landon Lowe, Richlands, Sr. LB—Dillan Elswick, Richlands, Sr. LB—Anthony Meadows, Giles, Sr.
Grier...
Continued from 26 including 331 against Oklahoma and 209 against Baylor. He’ll get some help from two players with proven ability. Kennedy McKoy started two games and had a season-high 127 rushing yards against Kansas. Martell Pettaway ran for 181 yards in his debut against Iowa State. ——— Here’s what else to look for from the Mountaineers as they try to build off a 10-3 season in 2016: YOUNG DEFENSE: West Virginia lost all three starters on the defensive line, top tackler Justin Arndt at linebacker and four of five starters in the secondary. Sophomore linebacker David Long, who started 10 games last season, will miss at least the first month of the season with a knee injury. Among those back are redshirt freshman linebacker Brendan Ferns and junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry. Both missed the 2016 season with knee injuries sustained in preseason practice.
2016 All-Four Seasons Country Football Team
LB—Tripp Shiflet, James Monroe, Sr. LB—Dante Vineyard, Graham, Jr. DB—Ryan Beidleman, Giles, Sr DB—Colton Bradley, James Monroe, Sr. DB—Christian Jackson, Grundy, Sr. DB—Tayten Sykes, Hurley, Jr. UTIL—Zach Lester, Hurley, Sr. P–Evan Beasley, James Monroe, Sr. Player of Year: Tripp Shiflet, James Monroe Offensive Player of Year: John-Luke Asbury, Richlands Defensive Player of Year: Tripp Shiflet, James Monroe Coach of Year: Tony Palmer, Graham Second Team Offense QB—Cole Blaker, Narrows, Sr. RB—Chace Collins, Richlands, Sr. RB—Israel Harris, Tazewell, Sr. RB—Grant Mohler, James Monroe, Jr. FB—Austin Shortridge, Twin Valley, Sr. WR—Scottie Ball, Richlands, Sr. WR—Jaquane Imes, Mount View, Sr. WR—Carlos Reed, Bluefield, Sr. TE—Jason Watson, Tazewell, Sr. C—Casey Cooper, Twin Valley, Sr.
WR DEPTH: The Mountaineers must replace 2016 leading receivers Daikiel Shorts and Shelton Gibson, and Holgorsen said junior Jovon Durante is dealing with personal issues and has yet to report to practice. The top returning receiver, Ka’Raun White (48 catches, 583 yards) missed the final two games with a broken leg. David Sills, who played sparingly in 2015, returns to the team after trying to prove himself as a quarterback at California’s El Camino College. KEY GAMES: Oklahoma State at home, Oct. 28; at Kansas State, Nov. 11; Texas at home, Nov. 18. P R E D IC T ION : The Mountaineers could struggle to become bowl eligible with so many questions on defense and at wide receiver. West Virginia likely won’t be favored for league games at TCU, Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma, teams they are 1-7 against on the road since joining the conference in 2012. SEASON OPENER: West Virginia opens Sept. 3 against Virginia Tech in Landover, Maryland.
OL—Matthew Damewood, PikeView, Jr. OL—Garrison Hartwell, Princeton, Sr. OL—Tyler Hawkey, James Monroe, Sr. OL—Jacob Martin, Narrows, Jr. K—Logan Surface, Graham, Sr. UTIL—T.J. Kitts, Tazewell, Sr. KR—Daleton Angelin, Grundy, Sr. Defense DL—Brian Arnold, Bland County, Sr. DL—Andrew Dye, Richlands, Jr. DL—Steven Christian, Hurley, Jr. DL—Connor Martin, Giles, Jr. LB—Elijah Barner, Mount View, So. LB—Devin Johnson, James Monroe, Sr. LB—Mikey McKinney, Narrows, Jr. LB—Jazaire Reed, Graham, So. DB—Cameron Allen, Graham, So. DB—De’Quan Booker, Richlands, Sr. DB—Joseph Hayes, Mount View, Sr. DB—Evan Rose, PikeView, So. UTIL—Austin Evans, Narrows, Sr. P–Mason Mullins, Tazewell, Jr. ••• Honorable Mention Bland County: Dylan Jackson, Garrett Steffey, Jacob Watters; Bluefield: Cody Fuller, Arnold Martin, Kaulin Parris;
Giles: Brandon Chapman, Kip Green, Max Riley; Graham: Paris Ballard, Garrett Dalton, Michael Mason; Grundy: Drew McClanahan, Jacob McNutt, Tyler Scarberry; Honaker: Hunter Eaton, Ethan Farmer, Hartley Hilton; Hurley: Zach Dotson, Dalton Mullins, Devin Tester; James Monroe: Jaylon Lewis, Connor Moore, Tyler Sams; Montcalm: Christian Carper, Jake Krabbe, Brian Taylor; Mount View: Steven Brown, Elijah Collier, Ryan Thompson; Narrows: Matthew Mullins, Landon Neal, Derrick Stinson; PikeView: Hunter Michelson, Dakota Mullins, Devon Sibley; Princeton: Deshawn Jones, Jared Hamm, Nick Mason; Richlands: Luke Hyder, Seth Johnson, Race Moir; River View: Josh McCoy, Ronnie Morgan, Kevin Roberts; Summers County: Nathan Grimmett, Tucker Lilly, Andrew Richmond; Tazewell: Kyle Lester, Matt Witt, Derrick Young; Twin Valley: Jacob Bozzer, Caleb Keen, Joe Keene; Wyoming East: Uriah Adkins, Joel Cannady, Zack Raye.
The prize...
The Black Diamond Trophy will go to the winner of the Virginia Tech and West Virginia game slated for Sept. 3 in Landover,, Md. in 2005. The Hokies have won the last two meetings, picking up wins in 2004 and ‘05.
Contributed photos
Justin Crawford
Staff photo by Brian Woodson
QB...
Continued from 27
Dana Holgorsen
to them a trend, and the coach loved to say that is he had a good quarterback and kicker, he was in good shape. This year, placekicker Joey Slye could move to the top of the list among Hokies kickers. He needs six more field goals — he was 20 of 27 last year — and just 51 points — he had 118 last year — to supplant longtime
NFL kicker Shayne Graham atop both career lists. SCHEDULING HELP: The ACC seemingly did the Hokies a favor with a very favorable slate. After the West Virginia game, their toughest tests figure to be against Clemson (Sept. 30) and North Carolina (Oct. 21 after an off week), both at Lane Stadium, and on the road at Miami on Nov. 4 in what many think will be for the Coastal Division.
Largest...
Continued from 36
Shepherd... Continued from 35
graduation of MEC Offensive Player of the Year RB Michael Anderson leaves a big hole. DBs Chad Pinson and Nate Simmons provide leadership for a rebuilding defensive unit. GLENVILLE STATE After spending the last five seasons as the Pioneers’ offensive coordinator, Eric Smith steps up to take the reins this fall. He has some weapons at his disposal in QB Dante Roberts, who threw for 2,700 yards and 26 TDs, along with WR D.J. Williams, whose 41 catches accounted for 666 yards and 10 scores. Leading tackler DB Earon Settles tops the defensive returnees. CONCORD Paul Price brought in a lot of new faces after suffering through a 2-9 season in his first year at the helm. Gone is record-setting four-year starter QB Brian Novak with juco transfers Jake Gibson and Jake Pruitt battling for the starting role. RB Jamal Petty should help after redshirting ma year ago but the strength of the team should be with a veteran defense. Three-time Alle s e aContinued from 30 s n Punter Garrett Lee, a aPearisburg native, averaged ha net 43.3 yards per kick last eyear, seventh best in NCAA nDivision II. e For the first time in school history, Concord starts the football
Concord...
MEC DB Jeremiah Johnson leads the way while junior LB Zach Malone is coming off a 108-tackle season last fall. W.VA. STATE Senior QB Matt Kinnick is back at full strength, which could be bad news for the rest of the MEC. The St. Clairsville native led the league in passing two years ago and threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 16 TDs last fall despite missing two full games due to injury. The Yellow Jackets are a veteran group and could surprise if first-year head coach John Pennington can plug a few holes on the defensive side of the ball. State surrendered nearly 40 points and 480-plus yards a game last fall. URBANA Third-year coach Tyler Haines has several key players back, including QB Tajuan Green and All-MEC WR Trevon Saunders. Green racked up nearly 1,700 yards of total offense and 18 TDs despite playing in only seven games due to injury while Saunders caught 66 passes for 961 yards and 15 TDs. LBs Duray Hall and Josh Dillard combined for 178 tackles a year ago. *Don Clegg is the Sports Information Director at West season with three Thursday night games, starting with a home contest against West Virginia Wesleyan at Callaghan Stadium. “I don’t know, in all the years of my coaching, that I’ve looked forward to an opener more than this one coming up on August 31st,” Price said. “I can’t wait to see how it’s is going to go.”
Ky. Nickname: Knights. Enrollment: 550. Head coach: Corey Fipps (first year). 2016: 3-8, 3-3. Record vs. Bluefield: 5-0, 20-3 in ‘16. Fipps replaced Steve Barrows as head coach of the Knights, having previous been the offensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Missouri Southern State. This is the 10th season for football at Kentucky Christian, who have had one winning season, a 7-4 mark in 2012. LINDSEY WILSON Location: Columbia, Ky. Nickname: Blue Raiders. Enrollment: 2,600. Head coach: Chris Oliver (8th, 42-26). 2016: 11-2, 4-1. Record vs. Bluefield: 5-0, 62-23 in ‘16. The Blue Raiders enter their eighth season with a program, having won 37 games over the last four seasons, including a 2-3 mark in playoff appearances. Lindsey Wilson, which is an NAIA power in soccer, has had five winning seasons in seven years. Sun Division AVE MARIA Location: Ave Maria,
College...
Continued from 31 past — in a good way,” Hinkley said. Walter Harold is the front-runner at quarterback. He was with the squad last year but did not become eligible until this season. He is a “tremendous athlete” said Lusk, whose older brother Eli, who formerly played for Virginia, is currently on the San Francisco 49ers roster. Returning veteran Cason Whitt and Zach White as well as junior college transfer Avery McMullen are also in the depth chart at QB. In addition to veteran running backs Martin and Malik Brown, new offensive skill players in the mix to watch include wide receivers Johnnie Myers and Devonte Lesley, slot receiver Jeff Hughes and running back Kenyon Garmon.
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 45 Fla. Nickname: Gyrenes. Enrollment: 1,072. Head coach: Joe Patterson (2nd, 0-10). 2016: 2016: 0-10. Record vs. Bluefield: 0-0. Ave Maria has won 18 games in six seasons, including an 8-2 mark in 2013. The Gyrenes had been in the Sun Conference for three seasons. Ave Maria apparently got its nickname from Domino’s Pizza founder and alumnus Tom Monaghan, who was in the U.S. Marine Corps, which uses Gyrenes as one of its nicknames. EDWARD WATERS Location: Jacksonville, Fla. Nickname: Tigers. Enrollment: 839. Head coach: Alvin B. Wyatt Sr. (5th, 14-21). 2016: 2-6. Record vs. Bluefield: 0-0. A 10th year with a program, the Tigers have never had a winning season. Edward Waters, which will be Bluefield’s opponent for its home opener on Sept. 9, had a 4-6 mark in 2014. FAULKNER Location: Montgomery, Ala. Nickname: Eagles. Enrollment: 330. Head coach: Charlie Boren (4th, 22-10). 2016: 6-4, 3-2. Record vs. Bluefield: 3-0, 28-13 in ‘16. Faulkner is the only holdover from the MidSouth prior to the addition of
the Sun Conference schools. The Eagles have five straight winning seasons, with a best mark of 9-3 and an NAIA playoff appearance. SOUTHEASTERN Location: Lakeland, Fla. Nickname: Fire. Enrollment: 4,500. Head coach: Keith Barefield (4th, 21-7). 2016: Record vs. Bluefield: 0-0. The Fire has won seven games in each of their first three seasons as a program, losing to Reinhardt in the playoffs last year. The Fire is the preseason favorite to win the MSC Sun Division. WARNER Location: Lake Wales, Fla. Nickname: Royals. Enrollment: 1,177. Head coach: Rod Shafer (4th, 15-16. 2016: 8-2. Record vs. Bluefield: 0-0. The Royals’ 8-2 mark last season was Warner’s first winning season in its fourth year with a program.
“It’s not like completely starting a program over, but we will have several fresh faces mixed in with some upperclassmen who’ve played through the wars,” Lusk said. The situation is similar on defense, where veteran players will form a nucleus around which the promising new talent is expected to cohere. Tracey Parker, Jr. and Darius Flowers are the the grizzled guys up front. Shaun Kolb is the known quantity in the linebacker corps. Carlton Toussaint , Isaiah Fenner, Tyrice Henry, Devon Jackson and Phillip Tyler are at the top of the list to show up in the secondary. “We have some young kids to mix in and we have competition at every position,” Lusk said. “The more, the merrier. At this level, depth is the biggest thing. If you have an injury or two, at times it really falls off at the next level. But even though
we might be young, we’ve got some depth with some talented players, so we’re really excited about that.” Punter Benjamin Brown is sitting out the season after undergoing ACL surgery this past spring. Drake Presley is set to take over those duties this season. Tanner Griffith, who is also a BC soccer player, and Adam Casto will vie for placekicking reps. New artificial field turf installation at Mitchell Stadium, Bluefield College’s home field, is only part of the spruce-up that coincided with Lusk’s arrival. “The turf is really nice and we just re-did the locker rooms ourselves this summer. The coaches are really proud of that. So we got that looking good,” Lusk said. “It’s a good time to be playing at Bluefield College, and we’re anxious to play.”
WEBBER INTERNATIONAL Location: Babson Park, Fla. Nickname: Warriors. Enrollment: 759. Head coach: Kelly Scott (12th, 46-53). 2016: 4-4 . Record vs. Bluefield: 0-0. Bluefield College head coach Dewey Lusk was the offensive coordinator last season for the Warriors.
46 | Friday, August 25, 2017 Selected Virginia Districts
Black Diamond District: Council, Grundy, Honaker, Hurley, Twin Valley. Cumberland District: John I. Burton, Castlewood, Eastside, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Thomas Walker. Hogoheegee District: Chilhowie, Patrick Henry-Glade Spring, Holston, Northwood. Mountain District: Abingdon, John Battle, Central-Wise, Gate City, Lee, Ridgeview, Union. Mountain Empire District: Auburn, Bland County, Fort Chiswell, Galax, Grayson County, Rural Retreat, George Wythe. Pioneer District: Bath County, Covington, Craig County, Eastern Montgomery, Highland, Narrows, Parry McCluer, Southwest District: Graham, Lebanon, Marion, Richlands, Tazewell, Virginia High. Three Rivers District: Alleghany, Carroll County, Floyd County, Giles, Glenvar, James River, Radford.
Coaches...
Continued from 37 (422-386-28, 522) Harry Ragsdale (1931-42, ‘46-62, 153-69-22), Bill Simmons (5 games in ‘42, 1-3-1), C.G. Smith (‘4344, 5-10-2), Jim Woods (‘45, 5-3), Bob Price (‘63-70, 41-32-1), Tom Martin (‘71-72, 3-17), Steve Miller (‘73-75, 12-18), Stuart Justus (‘76, 3-7), Bill Patteson (‘77-84, 49-332), Charles Fraley (‘85-91, 31-38), Don Lowe (5 games in ‘91-’02, 63-65), Kelly Lowe (03-present, 56-91). PikeView (58-177, .247) Ernie Martin (1994-98, 20-32), Charles Angell (‘99-01, 7-23), Eddie Niswander (02-05, 3-37), Jeff Damewood (‘06-11, 19-44), Bobby Wyatt (‘12-present, 9-41). Princeton (440-450-24, .495) Dusty Rhodes (1924-29, 20-257), Lee Patton (‘30-43, 69-40-11), Quentin Barnette (‘44-49, 47-11), Corky Caldwell (‘50-53, 15-232), Buster Brown (‘54-55, 2-171), Jimmy Walthall (‘56-57, 11-9), E.J. Lambert (‘58-59, 4-16), Bill Roney (‘60, 2-8), Nick Diachenko (‘61-63, 10-17-2), Dave Steorts (‘64-65, 6-14), Eugene Price (‘6668) 15-15), Mike Basham (‘69-71, 9-21), Jack Pack (‘72-81, 55-45), Joe Trabucco (‘82-88, 40-32), Ted Spadaro (‘89-2011, 113-128), Randy Peek (‘12-14, 12-18), Wes Eddy (‘15-16, 10-11). Richlands (522-356-34, .591) Ernie Hicks (‘26-42, 44-64, 170129-26), (‘43, no team), Woodrow Robinson (‘44, 3-2-2), Bill Peery (‘65, 7-2-1), Jim Hammond (‘6678-4, 60-68), Todd Heldreth (‘7981, 9-21), Bruce Evans (‘82-86, 26-17-1), Billy Haun (‘87-90, 15-26), Dennis Vaught (‘91-92, 95-96, 29-18), Terry Wess (‘93, 7-3), George Brown (‘94, 9-3), Greg Mance (‘97-present, 186-62). River View
(32-41-1, .439) Mitch Estep (2010-12, 23-10-1), Gehrig Justice (‘13-16, 9-31). Summers County (495-447-30, .525) Unknown (1911, 15-16, 3-2), J.S. Duncan and C.N. Gwinn (‘20, 3-31), C.N. Gwinn (‘21-22, 24-26, 32-11-2), V.J. Love (‘23, 2-5-1), Irish Garrity (‘27-35, 59-21-10), Johnny Worth (‘36-39, 30-4-4), John Newcombe (‘40, 8-3), Mickey McClung (‘41-42, 5-14-1), Stanley Huffman (‘43-47, 35-15-3), Charlie Schrader (‘48-50, 53-55, 26-321), Buck Porterfield (‘51-52, 3-151), Bill Garten (‘56-78, 123-1027), John Curia (‘79-84, 95, 04, 48-33), Buzzy Richmond (‘85-94, 20-40), Joe Blankenship (‘96, 3-7), Norman Farley (97-03, 35-36), Stan Duncan (‘05-08, 9-31), Leon Franklin (‘09, 2-8), Josh Houchins (‘10-12, 12-19), Nathan Tanner (‘13-16, 26-17). Tazewell (470-395-29, .542) Holmes “Bard” Byrd (1926-27, 9-6-1), Eugene Ross (‘28-30-1, 8-16-1), John Richmond (‘31-36, 23-18-5), Buddy Dotson (‘37-38, 11-5-1), Conley Snidow (‘39-42, 46-47, 42-11-6), (‘43, no team), C.A. Wilkerson (‘44, 2-6), Jack Witten (‘45, 2-4), Casto Ramsey (‘48-51, 33-9), James LaVanchie (‘52, 6-2-2); Howard Deel (‘53-54, 9-9-2), Howard Quillen (‘55-56, 6-10-1), Bob Miller (‘57-65, 52-334), Dave Rider (‘66-72, 74-75, 65-22-5), Jerry Perry (‘73, 2-7-1), Buddy Young (‘76-79, 15-25), Nick Colobro (‘80-82, 24-11), Mick Lusk (‘83-84, 17-4), Dave Litz (‘85-96, 66-64), Harris Hart (‘97-03, 27-46), Bobby Wyatt (‘04-09, 37-31), Terry Smith (‘10, 1-9), Brandon Tate (‘11, 0-10), Shane Allen (‘12-16, 15-37). Twin Valley (49-119, .279) Frank Daugherty (2001-02, 8-13), Charlie VanDyke (‘03-07, 11-40), Tommy Crigger (‘08-15, 21-61), Brian Moore (‘16, 6-5). Wyoming East (104-100, .510) Kevin Grogg (1998-08, 67-54),
Staff photo by George Thwaites
Giles’ Jeff Williams
.784 Win Pct.
Virginia, West Virginia Classifications
2
Virginia Class 2, Region D (13 schools): Graham, Richlands, Tazewell (John Battle, Central-Wise, Gate City, Grayson County, Lebanon, Lee, Marion, Ridgeview, Union, Virginia High). Class 2, Region C (13): Giles (Appomattox, Buckingham County, Chatham, Dan River, Floyd County, Fort Chiswell, Glenvar, Gretna, James River-Buchanan, Nelson County, Martinsville, Radford. Class 2, Region B (12): Buffalo Gap, Central-Woodstock, Clarke County, East Rockingham, Robert E.-Lee Staunton, Luray, Madison County, George Mason, Page County, Strasburg, Stuarts Draft, Wilson Memorial. Class 2, Region A (14): Amelia County, Arcadia, Bluestone, Bruton, Brunswick, Goochland, Greensville County, King William, Nandua, Nottaway, Poquoson, Prince Edward County, Randolph-Henry, Maggie Walker Governor’s School. • • • Class 1, Region D (15 schools): Council (no football), Grundy, Honaker, Hurley, Twin Valley (John I. Burton, Castlewood, Chilhowie, Eastside, Patrick Henry-Glade Spring, Holston, Northwood, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Thomas Walker. Class 1, Region C (12): Bland County, Narrows (Auburn, Bath County, Covington, Craig County, Eastern Montgomery, Galax, Highland County, Parry McCluer, Rural Retreat, George Wythe). Class 1, Region B (10): Altavista, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, William Campbell, Carver College Career Academy, CentralLunenburg, Cumberland, Galileo, Stonewall Jackson, Rappahannock County, Riverheads. Class 1, Region A (17): Colonial Beach, Charles City, Chincoteague, Essex, Franklin, King & Queen, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Rappahannock, Surry County, Sussex Central, Washington & Lee, West Point, Windsor. • • • West Virginia Class AAA (29 schools): Princeton (1,018, fifth smallest AAA in state). Cabell Midland (1,965), Morgantown (1,808), Parkersburg (1,798), Huntington (1,658), Parkersburg South (1,576), Musselman (1,525), Jefferson (1,515), Wheeling Park (1,514), Woodrow Wilson (1,351), Martinsburg (1,313), Capital (1,275), University (1,264), Spring Mills (1,252), Hurricane (1,237), Hedgesville (1,228), Riverside (1,207), Preston (1,205), Washington (1,172), Greenbrier East (1,171), George Washington (1,098), John Marshall (1,082), Spring Valley (1,050), Buckhannon-Upshur (1,037), Hampshire (1,036), St. Albans (1,012), South Charleston (968), Brooke (963), Ripley (933).
Class AA (44): PikeView (693, 21st in state), Bluefield (24, 675), Wyoming East (542), 5th smallest AA in state), James Monroe (524, 4th smallest AA), River View (498, 3rd smallest AA). Lincoln County (871), Winfield (861), Oak Hill (851), Shady Spring (849), Elkins (833), Fairmont Senior (811), Robert C. Byrd (780, North Marion (775), Herbert Hoover (770), Bridgeport (762), Nitro (759), Lewis County (757), Logan (757), Point Pleasant (751), East Fairmont (746), Nicholas County (720), Berkeley Springs (719), Wayne (715), Mingo Central (699), Chapmanville (694), Scott (682), Philip Barbour (680), Keyser (670), Roane County (668), Sissonville (637), Grafton (636), Westside (633), Weir (628), Independence (628), Braxton County (580), Frankfort (566), Liberty-Raleigh (564), Lincoln (562), Liberty-Harrison (557), Poca (552), Clay County (551), Oak Glen (544), Petersburg (466), Man (460).
Staff photo by George Thwaites
Graham’s Tony Palmer
.680 Win Pct.
Gary Poindexter (‘09-14, 31-32), Donald Jewell (‘15-16, 6-14).
Class A (54 schools) Mount View (420, 3rd largest), Summers County (401, 11th), Montcalm (218, 34th). Ravenswood (433, largest), Tyler Consolidated (422), Sherman (416), Magnolia (414), Williamstown (413), Webster County (412), Tolsia (410), Ritchie County (409), Moorefield (406), Greenbrier West (392), South Harrison (391), St. Mary’s (391), Richwood (383), Tug Valley (366), Doddridge County (342), Buffalo (341), Midland Trail (338), Tucker County (333), Fayetteville (326), Pocahontas County (310), Valley-Fayette (302), Wirt County (301), Calhoun (293), Pendleton County (276), Gilmer County (271), Wheeling Central (257), Tygarts Valley (247), Wahama (246), East Hardy (243), Cameron (240), Clay-Battelle (230), Charleston Catholic (210), Hannan (196), Madonna (179), ValleyWetzel (177), Meadow Bridge (165), Huntington St. Joseph (152), Notre Dame (145), Van (140), Paden City (115), Bishop Donahue (107), Hundred (106), Parkersburg Catholic (106), Trinity (103), Greater Beckley Christian (94), Union Educational Complex (68), Paw Paw (65), Harman (36), West Virginia School for the Deaf (30), Pickens (15), West Virginia School for the Blind (13).
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 47
2017 Week-by-Week High School / College Football Schedules WEEK 0 Friday, Aug. 18 COLLEGES at Ernie Hicks Stadium, Richlands Bluefield vs. Emory & Henry, 7 p.m. • • • WEEK 1 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Aug. 25 Auburn at Narrows, 7 p.m. Blacksburg at Giles, 7 p.m. Craig County at Bland County, 7 p.m. Fayetteville at Wyoming East, 7 p.m. Gate City at Richlands, 7 p.m. Grundy at Ridgeview, 7 p.m. Honaker at Lebanon, 7 p.m. James Monroe at Greenbrier East, 7 p.m. Montcalm at Hannan, 7 p.m. PikeView at Summers County, 7 p.m. Tazewell at Virginia High, 7 p.m. Graham at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Princeton at Buck-Upshur, 7:30 pm River View at Mount View, 7:30 p.m. Rye Cove at Hurley, 7:30 p.m. Twin Valley at Jenkins Ky., 7:30 p.m. COLLEGES Saturday, Aug. 26 Bluefield at Cumberland, 2:30 p.m. • • • WEEK 2 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Sept. 1 Bland County at Narrows, 7 p.m. Central-Wise at Grundy, 7 p.m. Eastern Montgomery at Hurley, 7 p.m. Giles at Christiansburg, 7 p.m. Richlands at Union, 7 p.m. Tazewell at Graham, 7 p.m. Twin Valley at Montcalm, 7 p.m. Westside at Wyoming East, 7 p.m. Bluefield at Princeton, 7:30 p.m. Castlewood at Honaker, 7:30 p.m. Independence at PikeView, 7:30 p.m. Man at Mount View, 7:30 p.m. Pt Pleasant at James Monroe, 7:30 pm OFF: River View, Summers County COLLEGES Thursday, Aug. 31 W.Virginia Wesleyan at Concord, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 William & Mary at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 COLLEGES Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia, at Landover, Md, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Bluefield • • • WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Sept. 8 Giles at Graham, 7 p.m. Northwood at Bland County, 7 p.m. Honaker at Twin Valley, 7 p.m. Narrows at Montcalm, 7 p.m. Wyoming East at Nicholas County, 7 p.m. Bluefield at Woodrow Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Independence at J.Monroe, 7:30 p.m. Lebanon at Grundy, 7:30 p.m. Mount View at Oak Hill, 7:30 p.m. Pike Central, Ky. at Hurley, 7:30 p.m. PikeView at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. Summers Co at Shady Spring, 7:30 p.m. Tazewell at River View, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Princeton, Richlands
Thursday, Sept. 7 COLLEGES Concord at Charleston, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 East Carolina at West Virginia, noon Delaware at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. Indiana at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Edward Waters (Fla) at Bluefield, 6 p.m. Marshall at North Carolina State, 6 p.m. • • • WEEK 4 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Sept. 15 Blacksburg at Richlands, 7 p.m. Craig County at Montcalm, 7 p.m. Narrows at Giles, 7 p.m. Northwood at Twin Valley, 7 p.m. Tazewell at Marion, 7 p.m. Bluefield at Greenbrier East, 7:30 p.m. Hurley at River View, 7:30 p.m. James Monroe at PikeView, 7:30 p.m. Parkersburg South at Princeton, 7:30 pm Summers Co at Mount View, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Bland County, Graham, Grundy, Honaker COLLEGES Thursday, Sept. 14 Virginia-Wise at Concord, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 HIGH SCHOOLS Wyoming East at Oak Hill, 1 p.m. COLLEGES Connecticut at Virgina, noon Delaware State at West Virginia, noon Virginia Tech at East Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Kent State at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Bluefield at Southeastern (Fla), 7 p.m. • • • WEEK 5 HIGH SCHOOLS Thursday, Sept. 21 Tazewell at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 Bland County at E.Montgomery, 7 p.m. Central-Wise at Graham, 7 p.m. Giles at Floyd County, 7 p.m. Twin Valley at Craig County, 7 p.m. William Byrd at Richlands, 7 p.m. Green-West at Summers Co.7:30 p.m. Grundy at Honaker, 7:30 p.m. James Monroe at Wyom. East, 7:30 p.m. Montcalm at Hurley, 7:30 p.m. Mount View at Point Pleasant, 7:30 p.m. Musselman at Princeton, 7:30 p.m. River View at Man, 7:30 p.m. Shady Spring at PikeView, 7:30 p.m. Tazewell at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Narrows COLLEGES Friday, Sept. 22 Virginia at Boise State, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 Concord at Notre Dame, noon Georgetown at Bluefield, 1:30 p.m. Old Dominion at Virginia Tech, TBA West Virginia at Kansas, TBA OFF: Marshall • • • WEEK 6 Friday, Sept. 29 HIGH SCHOOLS Grayson County at Bland County, 7 p.m. Grundy at Twin Valley, 7 p.m.
Narrows at Holston, 7 p.m. Radford at Giles, 7 p.m. Fayetteville at PikeView, 7:30 p.m. George Wythe at Honaker, 7:30 p.m. Graham at Princeton, 7:30 p.m. Hurley at Tazewell, 7:30 p.m. James Monroe at Nicholas Co, 7:30 p.m. Mount View at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Richlands at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Summers Co at Webster Co7:30 p.m. Wyoming East at River View, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Montcalm COLLEGES Saturday, Sept. 30 Shepherd at Concord, noon Clemson at Virginia Tech, TBA Marshall at Cincinnati, TBA OFF: Bluefield, Virginia, West Virginia • • • WEEK 7 Friday, Oct. 6 HIGH SCHOOLS Bland County at Rural Retreat, 7 p.m. Covington at Narrows, 7 p.m. Giles at James River, 7 p.m. Hurley at Grundy, 7 p.m. Montcalm at River View, 7 p.m. Richlands at Tazewell, 7 p.m. Graham at Lebanon, 7:30 p.m. Honaker at John I. Burton, 7:30 p.m. Independence at Summers Co, 7:30 p.m. James Monroe at Westside, 7:30 p.m. Mount View at Tolsia, 7:30 p.m. PikeView at Wyoming East, 7:30 p.m. Point Pleasant at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Princeton at Oak Hill, 7:30 p.m. Twin Valley at East Ridge, Ky., 7:30 p.m. COLLEGES Saturday, Oct. 7 Concord at Glenville State, noon St. Andrew at Bluefield, 6 p.m. Marshall at Charlotte, 6 p.m. Duke at Virginia, TBA Virginia Tech at Boston College, TBA West Virginia at Texas Christian, TBA • • • WEEK 8 Thursday, Oct. 12 HIGH SCHOOLS Virginia High at Graham, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 HIGH SCHOOLS Auburn at Bland County, 7 p.m. Carroll County at Giles, 7 p.m. Eastern Montgomery at Narrows, 7 p.m. Fort Chiswell at Tazewell, 7 p.m. Richlands at Marion, 7 p.m. Shady Spring at Wyoming East, 7 p.m. Thomas Walker at Twin Valley, 7 p.m. Hurley at Honaker, 7:30 p.m. John I. Burton at Grundy, 7:30 p.m. Man at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Meadow Bridge at Summers Co, 7:30 pm PikeView at River View, 7:30 p.m. Princeton at James Monroe, 7:30 p.m. Tug Valley at Mount View, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Montcalm COLLEGES Saturday, Oct. 14 West Virginia State at Concord, 1 p.m. Bluefield at Point, 1:30 p.m. Old Dominion at Marshall (HC), 2:30 p.m. Texas Tech at West Virginia (HC), TBA
Virginia at North Carolina, TBA OFF: Virginia Tech • • • WEEK 9 Friday, Oct. 20 HIGH SCHOOLS Bland County at George Wythe, 7 p.m. Giles at Glenvar, 7 p.m. Graham at Richlands, 7 p.m. Grundy at Pikeville, Ky., 7 p.m. Honaker at Patrick Henry, 7 p.m. Meadow Bridge at Montcalm, 7 p.m. Narrows at Craig County, 7 p.m. Twin Valley at Rye Cove, 7 p.m. Bluefield at Oak Hill, 7:30 p.m. Liberty at James Monroe, 7:30 p.m. PikeView at Mount View, 7:30 p.m. River View at Westside, 7:30 p.m. Summers Co at Pocahontas Co, 7:30 pm Tug Valley at Hurley, 7:30 p.m. Wheeling Park at Princeton, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Tazewell, Wyoming East COLLEGES Friday, Oct. 20 Marshall at at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 UNC-Pembroke at Concord, noon Cumberlands at Bluefield (HC), 6 p.m. Boston College at Virginia, TBA North Carolina at Virginia Tech (HC) TBA West Virginia at Baylor, TBA • • • WEEK 10 Friday, Oct. 27 HIGH SCHOOLS Alleghany at Giles, 7 p.m. Galax at Bland County, 7 p.m. Grundy at Tazewell, 7 p.m. Montcalm at Webster County, 7 p.m. Narrows at Bath County, 7 p.m. Richlands at Lebanon, 7 p.m. Graham at Fort Chiswell, 7:30 p.m. James Monroe at Bluefield, 7:30 p.m. Liberty at Wyoming East, 7:30 p.m. Mount View at Meadow Bridge, 7:30 p.m. Nicholas County at PikeView, 7:30 p.m. Northwood at Honaker, 7:30 p.m. Princeton at Greenbrier East, 7:30 p.m. Sherman at River View, 7:30 p.m. Summers County at Richwood, 7:30 p.m. Wyom. East at Independence, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Hurley, Twin Valley COLLEGES Saturday, Oct. 28 Concord at West Liberty, noon Fla International at Marshall, 2:30 p.m. Union at Bluefield, 6 p.m. Duke at Virginia Tech, TBA Oklahoma State at West Virginia, TBA Virginia at Pittsburgh, TBA • • • WEEK 11 Friday, Nov. 3 HIGH SCHOOLS Bland County at Fort Chiswell, 7 p.m. Graham at Marion, 7 p.m. Honaker at Ridgeview, 7 p.m. Hundred at Montcalm, 7 p.m. Hurley at Twin Valley, 7 p.m. Parry McCluer at Narrows, 7 p.m. River View at Grundy, 7 p.m. Virginia High at Richlands, 7 p.m. Lebanon at Tazewell, 7:30 p.m. Princeton at Brooke, 7:30 p.m.
Summers Co at Fayetteville, 7:30 p.m. OFF: Bluefield, Giles, Mount View, PikeView COLLEGES Friday, Nov. 3 Marshall at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 Fairmont State at Concord, noon Bluefield at Reinhardt, 1:30 p.m. Georgia Tech at Virginia, TBA Iowa State at West Virginia, TBA Virginia Tech at Miami, TBA • • • WEEK 12 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Nov. 10 or Saturday, Nov. 11 West Virginia playoffs, first round Virginia playoffs, first round COLLEGES Saturday, Nov. 11 Concord at Urbana, 1 p.m. Bluefield at Pikeville, 1:30 p.m. Western Kentucky at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Virginia at Louisville, TBA Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, TBA West Virginia at Kansas State, TBA WEEK 13 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Nov. 17 or Saturday, Nov. 18 West Virginia playoffs, quarterfinals Virginia playoffs, second round COLLEGES Saturday, Nov. 18 Marshall at Texas-San Antonio, 7 pm Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech, TBA Texas at West Virginia, TBA Virginia at Miami, TBA • • • WEEK 14 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Nov. 24 or Saturday, Nov. 25 West Virginia playoffs, semifinals Virginia playoffs, quarterfinals COLLEGES Friday, Nov. 24 Virginia Tech at Virginia, TBD Saturday, Nov. 25 Southern Miss at Marshall, 2:30 pm West Virginia at Oklahoma, TBD • • • WEEK 15 HIGH SCHOOLS Friday, Dec. 1 West Virginia, Class AA championship at Wheeling Saturday, Dec 2 West Virginia, Class AAA, A championship, at Wheeling playoffs, championship, at Wheeling Virginia state playoffs, semifinals COLLEGES Saturday, Dec. 2 ACC Championship Game, at Charlotte, N.C. Big 12 Championship Game, at Arlington, Texas Conference USA Championship Game, TBA • • • WEEK 16 HIGH SCHOOLS Saturday, Dec. 9 Virginia, 1A championship, at Salem, Va., noon Virginia, 2A championship, at Salem, Va., 4:30 p.m.
48 | Friday, August 25, 2017