The Shadow
LOW MOOR – On Friday when Alleghany hosts James River (Buchanan) in a Three Rivers District showdown in Covington at Casey Field, the month will have turned to November. The heart of the high school football season.
Alleghany is two wins away from not only an undefeated regular season, but also their first district title only two years into the school consolidated merger.
Following their 47-10 victory over Patrick County last week, the Cougars remaining schedule includes their home game this Friday against James River and away against Floyd County, but the first stop towards that district title is hosting the Knights on senior night.
Last year Alleghany trounced James River on the road 57-0. It was a game that the Cougars defense held the Knights to only 48-yards of total offense and this year’s matchup has all the making of a repeat performance from a defense who is allowing less than 12 points per game this season.
In the win over James River a year ago it was then senior Purcel Turner who accounted for four touchdowns in the win.
However, outside of Turner, Alleghany has plenty of players who came up big during the win over James River that are back for this season, including the man under center Des Jordan who tossed two touchdown passes and threw for 152-yds.
Jordan’s favorite target in the win over the Knights last season, Xzavier Hayslett, who will look for another repeat performance against JRHS. Hayslett caught four passes for 95-yds in the win over the Knights a year ago.
Alleghany also has Gavin Via, who not only rushed for a score against James River last year, but also recovered a fumble that he scored on as well.
The Cougars are well-seasoned not only from players who made an impact against the Knights last year, but also during their eight wins thus far and as I have mentioned this has all the makings of a blowout on paper.
James River has only scored double digit points twice this season, both times reaching the 20’s. The Knights are only averaging 11 points per game this year and are about to face a juggernaut defense giving up less than 12 per game.
The only win of the season for James River came during the non-district schedule when they defeated Randolph-Henry on the road 20-12. The only other time the Knights scored in double digits is when they battled Carroll County to a 7-point contest losing 32-25.
While you never take any team for granted, this one should be a repeat performance of last year’s matchup.
