The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – It all comes down to the final regular season game.
This Friday Bath County (9-0, 3-0 Pioneer) hosts Narrows (7-2, 3-0 Pioneer) for the Pioneer District championship at Carl F. Williams Field at 7:00 p.m.
There is a lot at stake for the Chargers who with a win would not only be the 2023 district champions but could also grab the top-seed in the region.
Not to mention, a win from BCHS would be the programs first undefeated regular season since 2003.
Friday’s game against Narrows is easily Bath County’s biggest game in 20 years.
The Chargers are coming off a 55-0 victory over Parry McCluer last Friday in Buena Vista. The win ended an eight-game losing streak to the Fighting Blues.
Parry McCluer was to be the toughest test for Bath County as they had entered their contest with 5-wins and given their recent history in head-to-head games.
BCHS put together one of their best defensive efforts of the season as they had their fourth shutout of the season within their last five games. The Chargers forced five turnovers in the win, including a pick-6 from Braiden Mabe.
Meanwhile, Wyatt Campbell continued his MVP-like season with six total touchdowns. The junior now has 48 total scores on the year.
With last week now a thing of the past, the tide shifts to Friday’s game at Carl F. Williams Field for the district title against Narrows.
Bath County snapped an eight-game losing streak to Parry McCluer last week and will look to snap a six-game losing streak to the Green Waves. The last time the Chargers defeated NHS was in 2009 when BCHS won 48-7 at home.
Narrows averages just under 41 points per game, which is 12 under what Bath County scores per game. The Green Waves, much like the Chargers, are explosive on offense and are led by a tough trio of senior-led receivers; Kolier Pruett, Carson Crigger, and Matt McGlothlin.
On the defensive side of the football, Narrows is giving up 23 ppg, while Bath County is allowing fewer than 10 ppg.
NHS only two losses were to James Monroe (W.Va) and Honaker. Both in which they battled with their opponents.
Despite being matched up well with both teams having mutual wins in four games, it all comes down to keeping up with the Chargers offense and no one has yet. Page County fell behind early and rallied too late. While Roanoke Catholic hung in for the better part of the first half.
The Green Waves best chance at a win will be needing to score early and often if they want to pull out what would be considered an upset even at this point late in the season.
Prediction: Bath County takes home the district title and an unbeaten regular season with a 47-28 victory over Narrows.
TALE OF THE TAPE – Narrows at Bath County
Head-to-Head Games
NHS BCHS
(W) Auburn 46-12 (W) 47-3
(W) Parry McCluer 56-21 (W) 55-0
(W) East Montgomery 60-6 (W) 49-0
(W) Craig County 54-0 (W) 62-3
