Alleghany at Glenvar (Thursday)
The Mountaineers (4-3) are riding their longest losing skid of the season, two games, following back to back losses to the Radford Bobcats and James River Knights (Buchanan).
Despite the two losses, the Mountaineers are playing as well as anyone in the Three Rivers District.
In their two-game losing streak, the team has had leads in both games. In the game against the Bobcats, the Mountaineers took an early 13-0 lead. But a game changing interception in the end zone by the Bobcats rallied them to 50 straight points before winning 58-21.
Against the Knights, the Mountaineers had a third quarter 14-7 lead and also had chances to win the game in the fourth quarter, including a chance to kick a potential game-winning field goal, but a bad snapped ended those chances.
Regardless of this small two-game losing streak, the Mountaineers are putting points on the scoreboard.
Garrett Via continues to be the force behind the offense as he closes in on the schools record for rushing touchdowns in a single season. Via is five away from tying Terrell Givens 2000 record of 23.
Meanwhile, Dalton Griffith is causing issues for defenses. Opposing teams are trying to now solve not only Via, but Griffith as well. Griffith has four touchdowns on the season.
This week will be a tough test for the Mountaineers. They are playing on short rest as their game will be held tomorrow, Thursday, October 14th and on the road against the Glenvar Highlanders (4-3).
The Highlanders have won four of their last five games after starting the season off 0-2. Last Friday the Highlanders lost on the road in three overtimes to Floyd County 33-27.
Last season the Highlanders won handedly against the Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field 63-8.
EDIT: Mountaineers lost 31-6 on Thursday to the Highlanders.
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Eastern Montgomery at Bath County (Friday)
After a quick 2-1 start to their season, the Chargers (2-4) have lost three straight games.
All three games, coming on the road against the Buffalo Gap Bison, Page County Panthers, and East Hardy Cougars.
During their three-game losing stretch, the Chargers have been outscored 136-39 and have given up 40+ points in each of those games.
On Friday, for the first since a week one victory over Covington, the Chargers are back in Pioneer District play when they head back home for the first time in nearly a month when they host the Eastern Montgomery Mustangs (2-4).
The Mustangs are coming off of their first district win of the season on Friday. In their district opener, the Mustangs defeated Craig County 41-16. It was the Mustangs largest margin of victory of their two wins.
In the four of the Mustangs five non-district games, the team gave up 20 or more points, including a 49-0 loss to North Cross, and a 39-0 loss to Rural Retreat.
Giving up a ton of points doesn’t bold well for the Mustangs as they are taking on a Chargers team who has the second most points scored in the district and are led by a young quarterback in Wyatt Campbell.
Campbell has been an issue for defenses all season long, including in losses. His quick ability to scramble away from defenders has teams defenses trying to figure out how to stop him. On the season, Campbell has over 500 yards passing and 300 yards rushing, including 14 total touchdowns, six passing and eight rushing.
The Mustangs will have their hands full with Campbell as well as Andrew Turner and Bransen Gordon, whom have each contributed in a big way for the Chargers.
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Narrows at Covington (Friday)
The Green Wave (4-1) have been waiting over a year for this one.
Last season on the road, Purcel Turner torched the Green Wave for two touchdowns, including a game ending interception that was returned to the end zone. (If you go to our Facebook page, we have video of the final play of the game where Turner secured the Cougars victory).
The Cougars had led 27-26, but Aiden McGlothlin’s desperation pass to midfield was intercepted by Turner to the end zone, where the Cougars won 33-27.
However, that was a season ago, this year the Cougars are off to an 0-6 start to their season, while the Green Wave are 4-1.
Not to mention, they have all their key pieces from last years game, including A. McGlothlin, Max McGlothlin, Matt McGlothlin, Reed Perdue, and Kolier Pruett.
A McGlothlin had two touchdown passes in the loss last season to the Cougars, while Pruett had a rushing and receiving touchdowns, while Perdue added a rushing touchdown as well.
The Cougars though also have Neeko Jeter, who had two touchdowns in the win last season, via rushing and receiving.
The Cougars also have a strong armed quarterback in Desmond Jordan who can also scramble out of the pocket and avoid tackles. Jordan currently has 651 passing yards on the season and will sure add more to his total on Friday.
The Cougars are coming off of their bye week. This is also the Cougars second to last home game ever.
Meanwhile, the Green Wave are coming off of a 32-0 shutout victory over Parry McCluer on the road.
The Green Wave are giving up just over 14 points a game, while the Cougars are averaging 13 points a game.