The Shadow
WHO: Alleghany (1-0) at Greenbrier East (2-0)
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Spartan Stadium in Fairlea, WV
LAST WEEK: GE defeated Woodrow Wilson 28-14–AHS defeated Brookeville 27-26
The Alleghany Cougars will roar into Greenbrier County this Friday to play in the annual Battle-of-the-Border football game against the Greenbrier East Spartans. Separated by just 45 minutes and across the VA/WV line, the two teams have played each of the last two seasons with the Cougars coming out on top in both contests, 49-10 in 2022 and 42-7 last year. But Greenbrier East has gotten off to a 2-0 start this season and is playing with a ton of confidence with their senior laden roster. Add to that fact that Friday’s game is their home opener, and the Spartans will be ready to defend their home turf field.
Players to Watch for Greenbrier East:
AJ Godfrey: 56 carries, 283 yds, 3 TDs, 141.5 yards per game
Nate Suttle: kickoff ret TD, 2 interceptions on defense, one a school record 100-yd TD return
Kaden Stone: 3 receptions, 63 yds, 3 TDs
Brody Hamric: 12-of-28 passing, 131 yds, 4 total TDs (1 rush)
Keshawn Bland
Gage Blevins
Brayden Brown
Logan Vanfosson
Zayir Lee
Ironically, Godfrey, the Spartans leading rusher who is also tied for first in touchdowns, is a transfer from Alleghany. Godfrey will be hyped up to welcome his former team to his new home. The senior has been a bruiser at running back and has shown the ability to get to the second level as well. The Spartan offensive line has made things easier for him, but Godfrey is a load to bring down to the ground. Stone has shown the ability to just catch touchdowns with all three of his catches going for scores. He is a reliable defender on the other side of the ball too. Hamric has yet to have a typical big game, but he has made big plays in each of his first two outings. Hamric has the ability to scramble and pick up chunk yards when he gets in trouble. He is also the Spartan punter and set a Spartan record with a 69-yard kick last week.
Suttle has seen his impact more so on special teams and defense rather than offense so far, but with his elite speed and game breaking ability, a huge offensive play or plays can come at any time. Suttle already has a 92-yard kickoff return for a score and a 100-yard pick six. When the other team sees the back of his jersey, the hope of catching him is typically over at that point.
Bland, Brown, Vanfosson, and Lee have all had great starts to their seasons. Brown has already recovered three fumbles, and Vanfosson has a pick from his linebacker spot. Bland hits about as hard as anyone on the team and Lee has made some critical stops early. Blevins, a two-way lineman, has quietly been one of the better performers on the roster for head coach Ray Lee. All those guys, plus their teammates, will be responsible for stopping a dynamic Cougar offense.
Players to Watch for Alleghany:
Des Jordan: 11-of-13, 106 yds, 2 TDs– 19 carries, 123 yds, TD
Sarge Persinger: TD reception–4 tackles, sack on D
Brady May: 11 tackles, 2 TFL, forced fumble
Carter Nicely: 23 carries, 128 yds, TD
Jay Godfrey: 4 receptions, 43 yds, TD
Buddy Leisure-White: 3 receptions, 56 yds
Much like Godfrey of East, May is a transfer from Greenbrier East and will head back to his former home from 2024. Yes, May was at Alleghany before going to Fairlea as well, but his lone Spartan season was a memorable one with 760 total yards (624 rushing) and nine total TDs, although his production so far this year has come via the defensive side of the field.
But the Cougars come and go depending on how the quarterback, Jordan, plays. Jordan, a lefty, is a dual threat speedster with a great throwing arm. When he gets to that second level on a scramble, it’s usually a first down or a touchdown. Jordan is an experienced player that has hurt the Spartans in the past. He had 157 total yards and four scores last season. Godfrey and Nicely have been tough on East as well. Godfrey’s sack and 79-yard pick 6 last year sealed a dominating effort for the Cougars and Nicely is a hard-nosed runner who had 66 yards in last season’s meeting.
Persinger will hit hard and will look to get in the backfield to pressure Hamric of East.
Tale of the Tape Outlook:
This is going to be a battle of strength on strength. The Spartans are going to try to control the football on the ground with AJ Godfrey and keep Jordan on the sidelines as much as possible. If that works in Greenbrier East’s favor, Hamric could find success with play-action passes.
For the Cougars, they will roll what has worked for them. After rallying from 13 points down to win in game one, head coach Will Fields and his players are riding high coming across the border. Plus, the last two seasons, Alleghany has made easy work out of the Spartans. Will 2025 be a different story?
Something to Watch:
Last week, Alleghany allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown. East’s Suttle is a lethal kick returner. There you go, just an underrated matchup to keep an eye on.
Also, there is some trash talking going on in the social media world. If you know, you’ve seen it. If you don’t, look it up.
