The Shadow
The two area wins to start the season — they were no doubt sweet.
Last week’s shellacking handed out by Alleghany over in Lexington — it was an impressive Blue Ridge District road win.
But over the next two Friday’s at Mountaineer Field, coach Gary Burdette’s team has an opportunity in front of them, an opportunity to make a statement.
In two weeks, it’s the defending 2013 Group 3A state champion Northside Vikings visiting Valley Ridge. This Friday, it’s the only team that beat those state champs a year ago — Lord Botetourt.
The Cavaliers lost two straight before an open date last Friday.
“They beat Rustburg 48-0,” said Burdette matter-of-factly. “And they are the only team in the state to beat the state champions last year. So I don’t think they are a bad football team. They may have had a little hiccup or somethin’, but I know they are a good football team.”
Botetourt, who dismantled the Mountaineers 51-0 a year ago, is led by junior running back Noah Fletcher.
Fletcher has rushed for 805 yards and 11 touchdowns through four games, including a school-record 349-yard, six-touchdown performance against Rustburg.
“We are both 3-4 (on defense), we both have a lot of two tight end sets (on offense),” said Burdette. “So we are very similar in those regards.”
Alleghany is coming off a big 40-6 road win at Rockbridge County. Led by 176 yards from Christian Carter and 107 more from Logan Burks, the Mountaineers rushed for 348 yards in the game.
“The guys of front kind of set the tempo for the whole night,” Burdette said. “Opening drive, we got the ball and went double tight all the way down the field. We knew from film study and the previous success that we’ve had (against them), that was something we wanted to do.”
The effort will need to be even better this week.
“We know it’s going to take all we’ve got for four quarters and then maybe some to come out of here with a win Friday,” concluded the AHS coach. “It’s going to take the best from everybody, from coaches, players, water boys, managers, fans. But we can do it.”
Bath County at Pocahontas County, W.Va.
Despite the 0-5 start, Bath County coach Will Fields can see signs of improvement from his Chargers.
Last week in a 54-20 loss to Group 3A Robert E. Lee, Bath played the Leemen to a 27-20 second half.
“We were pleased with the second half,” said Fields. “We were able to move the ball and control the clock. The big plays were all we gave up and we knew coming in that they could outrun us.”
This Friday, the Chargers travel to Pocahontas County for a meeting with the Warriors.
Close games have been the norm in the series. In three of the last four years, seven points has been enough points to get a win.
The Warriors won 7-6 in 2010 and 7-0 in 2012, while Bath County was a 7-0 victor last year.
“They are a lot like us,” said Fields. “They have some big kids and maybe they have a few more returners than we do. It’s almost always a close game and a physical game. I don’t know what it is, I guess our kids are so similar.
“Our kids are still playing hard and I don’t expect them to stop doing that,” he added. “I feel bad for the seniors that we haven’t got one yet, there’s so few of them. But our guys understand and they keep playing hard.”
Covington at Summers County, W.Va.
Covington will also head to the Mountain State Friday night.
The Cougars travel to Hinton for a match-up with Summers County.
What a difference a year makes for the Bobcats. A season ago, they brought an unbeaten 5-0 mark to Casey Field before being turned away by the Cougars 23-16.
One year later, they are 0-5 and have given up 182 points in those five games.
“They lost all their running backs and their quarterback who was returning to a dislocated elbow in a scrimmage and is out for the year,” said CHS coach Rod Tenney. “So, it’s been tough for them.”
Summers County has turned to the single-wing offense.
“Nathan Tanner is their coach,” said Tenney. “He came from Giles so he is familiar with it. I’d say when he lost his quarterback, he had to go that route. They don’t have the skilled people they had last year, but they are scrappy and they throw the ball well.”
The Cougars are coming off a 42-7 beating at the hands of Glenvar last Friday.
“Our main concern is getting back to what we do well,” Tenney said. “We’re not doing that right now, we haven’t this whole season.”
