The Shadow
Chris Jones is all football.
And in a mid-week interview, Jones, Covington’s head football coach, was blunt.
“You lose you go home,” he said. “No offense to basketball or other sports where you lose and you can advance, but nope, can’t do that in football.”
Ninety-five teams in Virginia will pack up the equipment this week.
And one will come from Friday’s night enticing first round Class 1, Region C match-up at Casey Field between the Covington Cougars (6-4) and Auburn Eagles (5-5).
Evenly matched? You got it!
“For sure, two evenly matched teams,” Jones said. “It’s should be exciting. It should be a heckuva game Friday.”
The scouting report on the Eagles?
Keep an eye on No. 45 — Carson East.
East is a do-everything senior for Auburn coach Cam Akers.
His stat line includes 666 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He is 26-for-30 on PAT’s, 5-for-7 on field goals and averages 33.8 yards a punt.
East also boasts a defensive touchdown from his linebacker spot against Craig County and a sack that sealed Auburn’s win over Floyd County.
Steering the Eagles’ option offense is junior Payson Kelley, who wears No. 6.
Kelley has 12 rushing touchdowns to his credit and 746 yards rushing.
“They run mid-line, triple, inside veer, load option — and they do a good job with it,” said Jones, who is ever familiar with the option. “The quarterback (Kelley) runs with a real good lean. He finishes his runs. If they get four yards a play, they’re happy. We are going to be definitely challenged on the defensive side of the ball.”
When the Cougars are on offense, Jones said that Auburn will pack the box.
“They are going to put 11 guys up there and dare you to throw it,” he added. “That’s what we’ve seen most of the season. They are in there to try and stop Shaun (Smith Jr.) and the run. I think the passing attack the last few weeks has gotten a whole lot better. We’re going to need it on Friday.”
Cougar junior Simon Gibson has completed just over 50 percent of his throws for the year (54-for-106, 1,038 yards). Over the last six weeks Gibson is 43-for-74 (58 percent) for 766 yards with 10 touchdowns and four picks.
Smith has rushed for 1,566 yards and scored 25 touchdowns, despite only 13 combined carries over the last two weeks in blowout wins.
Skyler Barnett tops the Cougars in tackles with 87 stops, including 46 solos, while Smith has totaled 16 tackles for loss.
Jones expects his team to be ready for Friday evening’s challenge.
“I think they all know what’s at stake,” he said. “I think they will be ready.”
The winner of Friday’s game is probably looking at a trip to Galax next week. The 9-1 Maroon Tide are seeded first in Region C and are hosting Eastern Montgomery (2-8) in the first round.
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(Gavin Dressler Photo)
