The Shadow
The anticipation is about to come to a close as in just two days the High School football season kicks off.
For the home crowds of Alleghany and Covington, they will have to wait a few weeks to cheer them on (unless you’re traveling to away games) as the Mountaineers will be away their first two games of the season before hosting their crosstown rival Covington Cougars at Mountaineer Field on September 9th in the final Brackman Cup Game. Meanwhile, the Cougars are away for their first game at Bath County before their home opener next Friday at Boodie Albert Stadium against the Staunton Storm.
The Bath County Chargers who have the areas only home game week one has a familiar face at the center of the team and that’s new head coach and former Charger quarterback in the early 2000’s, Jake Phillips.
Phillips, previously was the coach for the Staunton Storm for the past three seasons is looking to bring a winning culture back to the Chargers who have not had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2010 when current Alleghany Mountaineers head coach Will Fields was then coaching the team. The last two seasons the Chargers went 2-13 under Dillon Fry.
Phillips brings in a lot of years of coaching experience as well as winning record as a player for the Chargers where his teams in his four years went 49-5 and also three state championship game appearances as well as one state title.
For the Mountaineers and the Cougars, this is each schools/teams final individual seasons before the merger. Certainly you would have to think the biggest ticket to get is for the final Brackman Cup Game.
Both teams will look to get back to the playoffs this season.
There is a lot happening for this up coming season and it is certainly going to be an exciting one.
My best wishes to all the players and coaches this season.
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Covington at Bath County
This will be the 42 meeting between the two schools where the Covington Cougars hold a 22-19 record over the Bath County Chargers.
In last seasons meeting between the two Pioneer District rivals, the Cougars prevailed 22-0 over the Chargers at Boodie Albert Stadium.
At the start of kickoff in their game last season it was 92 degrees and it wasn’t just the players trying to stay hydrated, but also the spectators as well.
After a scoreless first half the resulted in several turnovers between both teams, Purcel Turner who finished the game with two touchdowns put the Cougars on the scoreboard in the middle of the third quarter with an 18 yard rushing touchdown. Turner’s second touchdown came from 21 yards out in the fourth quarter. Turner who was then just a sophomore finished the game with over 70 yard rushing.
Meanwhile, Javier Yancey had the Cougars other touchdown on a quarterback sneak on the goal line.
While it was a hot day 92 degree day, the heat went onto the field as well. This game for many will be remembered as the one where a scuffle broke out between the two teams which went into the Cougars sidelines that resulted in multiple players being ejected from both teams.
This seasons meeting takes place up the mountain in Bath County.
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Alleghany at Roanoke Catholic
Last season the Alleghany Mountaineers and the Roanoke Catholic Celtics met for the first time school history.
At Mountaineer Field, the Mountaineers cruised to a 43-6 victory over the Celtics in their first ever meeting.
Garrett Via led all rushers with 91 yards and two touchdown in the win for the Mountaineers.
Waylon Campbell and Matt Howell each had five carriers while Campbell finished with 42 yards rushing and Howell finished with 37.
Dylan Nicely and Dalton Griffith each had eight tackles for the Mountaineers.
This years game will be played in Roanoke.
