The Shadow
WHO: Waynesboro Little Giants (0-0) at Alleghany Cougars (0-0)
WHERE: Casey Field
WHEN: Friday, August 25, 2023, at 7:30pm
LAST SEASON: Waynesboro Little Giants (1-9), Alleghany Cougars (inaugural year)
The wait is finally over. After years of discussion and hard work, the consolidation between the Covington High School Cougars and the Alleghany High School Mountaineers is now a reality. Now, the newly merged high schools who form the Alleghany Cougars are gearing up to take the field tomorrow night to face off against new rivals: Waynesboro Little Giants.
While the Little Giants have technically played in the highlands before, it’s been well over a decade. 2008, to be exact when they last played the Covington Cougars. Not once did they face off against the Mountaineers, though they did play against the Alleghany County High School Colts back in 1981. As such, both teams are at a disadvantage when it comes to studying the other. “It’s always a tough thing when you have no familiarity,” said Head Coach Will Fields. “Of course, they don’t have any with us either, so it makes it a little difficult.”
Despite the inevitable uphill battle that may or may not present itself at tomorrow night’s game, Coach Fields remains optimistic about the new football team. He gave his thoughts on the team’s inaugural year and upcoming football game. “We’re very excited, especially that it’s home and here in our community… we’re hoping to put a good product out there for the community to get behind this consolidation idea.”
Coach Fields went on to talk about how well the boys were working together despite the decades-long rivalry that carried on up until around this time last year. “It’s been seamless… Anytime you’re in a sports or a competitive situation, a common enemy bonds people more than anything I’ve ever seen. Since we’ve been out here in July and even back through the summer, Waynesboro’s been the opponent. Not each other. Not what happened in the past. They’ve been looking forward to Waynesboro, so we’re all in on that.”
The Virginian Review caught up with number 91, Matthew “Moose” Clayton (TE/DE) on the field who shared his thoughts on tomorrow night’s game. “Ultimately, at the end of the day, I’m not gonna go in it with a big head. This is our opportunity to prove ourselves. That’s what we plan on doing.” Optimistic words from a player determined to “make us proud” and make us proud, he will. They all will.
PLAYERS TO WATCH (ALLEGHANY COUGARS)
Des Jordan
Neeko Jeter
Hunter DePriest
Caleb Walden
Evin Chapman
Nathen Chapman
ABOUT THE OPPONENT:
Brandon Jarvis, head coach of the Waynesboro Little Giants, has been with the team for three seasons. He joined the 3A purple and gold team during their rebuilding year, having just come off two winless seasons in 2018 and 2019.
Prior to coaching the Little Giants, Jarvis was an assistant coach at Rockbridge County High School, a defensive coordinator at Dinwiddie High School, and Head Coach at Grafton High School. His most recent season with Little Giants in 2022, he coached a 1-9 year.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the failed season is that, in 2021, the team made it all the way to the playoffs and had the potential for a repeat last year due to many returning players on the roster. However, injuries played a major role in what ultimately led to an upsetting season last year.
The Little Giants, who were unable to see the turnaround they were hoping for last year, are now looking at turning it all around this year. They currently have a roster of about 65 players: 35 for Varsity, 30 JV.
So what’s the plan this year? According to Jarvis, it’s all about rebounding from last year and having realistic expectations of his players.
PLAYERS TO WATCH (WAYNESBORO LITTLE GIANTS)
Emerson Miller
Yoni Garcia Becerra
Wyatt Harris
