The Shadow
Covington at Craig County
Three weeks ago the Covington Cougars (2-7/2-2) were sitting winless having lost their first seven games of the season and were on the outside looking in at the Group 1, 1C playoffs.
The team also had just blown a 16-point second half lead at home to Narrows Green Wave.
Since then, the Cougars have been one of the hottest teams in the Pioneer District.
After back to back wins in the district where they recently defeated Eastern Montgomery 46-7 last Friday and pitching a 32-0 shutout at home two weeks prior against Parry McCluer, the Cougars are on the inside the playoffs now sitting at the eighth and final spot.
The Cougars in the last two weeks have outscored their opponents 78-7.
While Desmond Jordan, Purcel Turner, and Neeko Jeter continue to shine in the offense, Luke Conner has been a big factor in the offense the last two games with nine catches for over 100 yards. Meanwhile, Jacob Davis has played a big role in the defense with a fumble recovery, while Conner, Rocklyn Phillips are key factors as well in the defense.
This is not the same Cougars team from their first six game. I say six game because their game against the Green Wave, the offense was moving the ball exceptionally all game long as the Green Wave could not stop Turner.
While nothing is set and stone, it’s very well possible that the Cougars control their own destiny.
With a win over the Craig Rockets (2-5/0-4), the Cougars all, but should claim a 7-8th place spot in the Group 1, 1C postseason.
The only team that could essentially leap frog the Cougars is Fort Chiswell Pioneers (2-7).
Out of the Mountain Empire District, the Pioneers to get a chance at jumping the Cougars would need to upset the Honaker Tigers (6-3) on the road.
First thing is first for the Cougars and that’s taking care of business with the Rockets.
The Rockets who have two victories have won one by forfeit against Twin Valley and the other came in the teams season opener on the road where they defeated Bland County 20-14.
Last week the Rockets had their game against the Green Wave get canceled, but prior to that the team had lost three straight where they gave up over 40 points in all three games.
All in all, the Rockets have only played in five games and had two forfeits.
To beat the Cougars their going to have to stop their offense who have been averaging over 35 points a game the last two weeks and just over 21 a game the whole season.
In their five games, the Rockets have only scored in double figures twice. To hang with the Cougars, the Rockets will need to score and score early.
However, that is where the Cougars have been great. In their last three games, the Cougars have scored on their opening drive. Just last week, the Cougars scored on their first three drives of the game.
Bath County at Narrows
While talking about controlling your own destiny from the post above, that’s what the game between the Bath County Chargers (4-5/3-1) and Narrows Green Wave (6-1/3-0) is all about.
The winner of this game will be the Pioneer District Champion.
Prior to last week, the Chargers had been the hottest team in the district.
The team had won two in a row following three straight losses on the road and were outscoring their opponents 65-21 during their two-game win streak.
The Chargers had won their fourth game of the season following a 42-8 victory over Craig County which was the first time winning at least four games since 2017.
However, the Chargers in their home finale of the season, played a trap game against the Parry McCluer Fighting Blues.
The Fighting Blues had just lost two of their last three games where they were shutout in both losses including a 32-0 loss at Covington.
The Fighting Blues who were feeling the blues during that time just were not the team you wanted to face, especially with John Snider IV and
Evan Cook in the backfield as the duo combined for five touchdowns in a 33-17 victory at Carl F. Williams Field.
The Chargers though had started the game strong. Caiden Offer recovered a fumble committed by the Fighting Blues on the first play of the game and Wyatt Campbell threw a touchdown pass to Cameron Made.
Despite the opening drive turnover, the Fighting Blues weren’t ready to pack it in and reeled off 14 straight points and never looked back.
Regardless of the outcome against the Green Wave, the Chargers are a lock for the Group 1, 1C postseason. After just two wins in the previous two seasons, Jake Phillips has turned this Chargers program around.
For the Chargers to go on the road to beat the Green Wave, they’ll need to do what the Cougars did last season when they went to Narrows and beat them on the road, and that’s hang with them scoring and force turnovers. The Chargers can do all that and more. However, they’ll have to contain Aiden McGlothlin who will be a key piece for the Green Wave.
