The Shadow
WHO: Greenbrier East (0-2) at Alleghany (VA) (0-1)
WHERE: Casey Field at Boodie Albert Stadium in Covington
WHEN: Friday, September 11 at 7:00 PM
LAST MEETING: Alleghany defeated GE 36-26 in 2025 in Fairlea
Greenbrier East will look to pick up its first win of the 2026 season Friday night when the Spartans travel to Covington, Virginia, to take on the Alleghany Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM and the matchup pits two teams looking for their first victory, with East entering at 0-2 and Alleghany at 0-1.
Greenbrier East is coming in after a 34-14 loss to Beckley last Friday night, a game that was played a little closer than the final score would indicate. East took a 7-0 lead on the game’s first play from scrimmage, but the rushing attack from the Eagles (366 yards) eventually took its toll on the young Spartan defense.
The Spartans have shown flashes of offensive production through the first two games, particularly from sophomore running back Austin Whitt. Whitt has 206 yards on the ground and has scored a TD as well. After carrying the ball 35 times in the season opener, Whitt got 18 totes last week and will continue to carry a big load against the Cougars. Quarterback Sam Gabbert (22-44, 201 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT) has also shown the ability to make plays through the air, while senior receiver Braylen Godfrey (7 rec., 79 yds, 2 TD) has been Gabbert’s favorite target. DP Seams also has six grabs for 52 yards and a score.
Defensively, Keshawn Bland will be a player to watch after an extremely active performance against Woodrow Wilson where he had 20 tackles and a QB hurry. The Spartans will need to limit Alleghany’s offense and not let them find a breakout performance after they managed just six points in a 28-6 loss to Brookville last Friday. Buddy Leisure-White is most likely the Cougars top offensive threat and a player that can make a play from anywhere on the field with his electric speed. He scored the only TD last week on a 26-yard run.
Even with just the six points on the board last week, the Cougars still managed 305 total yards and did it with balance with 148 on the ground and 157 through the air. They also managed 17 first downs. Other players for the Cougars who can impact the outcome are Austin Greene (5 rec., 89 yds vs GE last season), RB/SS Kymari Rice, QB Talyn Elliot, kicker/punter Mason Hale, and DB/TE Kenton Kirby.
For East, the key could be avoiding the slow starts and costly mistakes that have hurt the Spartans early this season. They rallied from a 13-point deficit against James Monroe in week one and showed early life against Woodrow Wilson, taking a 7-0 lead before the Flying Eagles scored 34 straight points. A more consistent four-quarter effort could put East in position to earn its first win of the year Friday night. The key word there is consistent.
Prediction:
Alleghany has owned this series–called the Battle of the Border–and has hoisted the ABK trophy rather easily the last three years. As mentioned above, the Cougars offense is primed and ready for a big performance. They were flagged in their opener 13 times for 90 yards, and those miscues played a part in killing a few drives that maybe would have turned out differently. Still, their 300-plus yards of offense show that they can move the ball and if Leisure-White gets in space frequently, it could be a long night for Greenbrier East.
However, the Spartans seem to have an attitude and a never say die mentality this season. They hung with 8th rated (Class AAAA) Woodrow for two-and-half quarters and got a late score that proves the offense does have some life when needed. The biggest concern for the Spartans in this one is the road environment and the game being the home opener for the Cougars. East should bring a lot of fans to the Cougar stands, though, and I think Greenbrier East will play well. Will it be enough, however, is the question. The key matchup is Bland vs. B L-W. I honestly don’t see a ton of points in this one and it will be close.
Alleghany- 26
Greenbrier East- 20
Confidence Level (1-10) —— 5
Previous Score Predictions:
Greenbrier East 20, James Monroe 19– Actual score: JM 19, GE 13
Woodrow 38, Greenbrier East 15– Actual score: WW 34, GE 14
