Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Christiansburg took a 13-7 lead last week at Pulaski and looked like they might pick up their first win of the year. But when the dust cleared, the Blue Demons did not have enough fire power losing to the Cougars.
Blacksburg rolled over a Cave Spring team for their sixth win of the season, while Eastern Montgomery picked up a win Friday night over Bath County. Auburn fell to Grayson County.
Radford lost to Floyd in Three Rivers District play and will have an open date this Friday. The Bobcats are still looking for win number two.
The Virginia High School Leagues says Glenvar (Three Rivers District) has officially qualified for the state playoffs in Region 2A. Also, both Staunton River (6-0) and Lord Botetourt (6-1) have qualified in Region 3D.
Game previews:
Hidden Valley (0-6) at Christiansburg (0-6)
Last week for Christiansburg: Lost to Pulaski 52-27. Quarterback Nic Cook threw for two touchdowns, while Kyle Hendricks and Charles Nwaihesie, each ran for a score.
Last week for Hidden Valley: Open date. Two weeks ago, lost 41-38 to Patrick Henry in overtime.
Scouting report on Hidden Valley: Will be a battle of 0-6 teams. Hidden Valley has been outscored 238 to 125 by its opponents this season, while Christiansburg has been on a similar run being outscored 243-81.
Scott Weaver is in his ninth season with a 43-47 mark at the school including a 5-6 mark last year, losing in the first round of the 3A West region. The team only returns two starters on each side of the ball. QB Jonah Fitzgerald (6-4, 186) does return along with runningback Ethan Slaughter (5-9, 185). Fitzgerald passed for 2,160 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Accurate kicker Michael Driscoll also returns.
Radio broadcast: 100.7 FM.
Pulaski (6-1) at Blacksburg (6-1)
Last week for Blacksburg: Beat Cave Spring 49-7. Josh Van Glider took the opening kick 66 yards for a touchdown. Cole Beck rushed 12 times for 70 yards, while teammate Tiquest Terry had 61 yards rushing and another 56 receiving. Beck had two touchdowns and Terry three.
Last week for Pulaski: Beat Christiansburg 52-27. Quarterback Kade Akers threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another. E.J. Horton had four catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Scouting report on Pulaski: The Cougars have turned to a high-octane aerial attack with Arizona-prep school transfer Akers (6-4, 212) at the helm. Horton, who is one of the fastest players in southwest Virginia, transferred from George Wythe and provides Akers a speedy target.
Stephen James is in his fourth season with an overall mark of 21-12 including 7-4 last season, losing in the 4A West Region first round. Runningback Jaceri Eaves (5-11, 200) provides a spark after the team lost Hunter Thomas to graduation. Jaylin Nowlin (5-11, 180) will also carry the rock from a crowded back field. Linemen Brody Fields (6-0, 275), Chandler Dunnigan (6-2, 27) and Sean Spender (6-0, 210) give the Cougars some size on both sides of the ball. Linebacker Reymon Willliams (5-8, 195) leads a stingy defense.
For the season, Akers has thrown for 1,311 yards this season that breaks Bryant Grubb’s record of 1,074 yards in 2015. Akers has also now thrown for 14 touchdowns which is a new school record. His 350 yards last week also set a new school record.
Horton now has 26 catches for 473 yards with an outstanding 18.2 yards per catch average. But Akers has been spreading the ball around as Mason Clark has 17 for 374 yards and Kellen Dalton who was the starting QB coming into the summer with 15 catches for 258 yards.
On defense, Raymon Williams lead the Cougars with 53 ½ tackles including 32 solo. Alex Akers has 42 ½ with 28 solos.
Radio broadcast: 105.3 FM, 107.3 FM.
Eastern Montgomery (2-4) at Narrows (5-1)
Last week for Eastern Montgomery: Beat Bath County 19-0.
Last week for Narrows: Beat Covington 46-18. Eastern Montgomery transfer Wyatt Freeman threw for 142 on a six of 10 night with no interceptions. He also had a 23-yard run for a touchdown. The Green Wave also put up 304 yards rushing with Matthew Morgan leading the way with 15 carries for 106 yards.
Scouting report on Narrows: Kelly Lowe is 56-91 at the school including a 6-5 season last year, losing in the 1A West Region first round of the playoffs. That was the school’s first winning season since 2008. This year, Narrows along with Eastern Montgomery move to the Pioneer District where both should be more competitive with schools more comparable their size in enrollment. Freeman (6-1, 175) transferred over the summer from Eastern Montgomery and earned the QB position in the preseason. Tightend Matthew Mullins (6-1, 210) provides size across the middle, and senior Mikey McKinnney (6-0, 170) and sophomore Chad Blaker (5-8, 140) providing a spark in the running game. Offensive linemen Jake Martin (6-4, 295) and Cota McGlothlin (6-0, 215) and Derick Stinson (6-1, 300) give the Green Wave a lot of beef up front.
Directions to Narrows High School: 1 Green Wave Lane, Narrows, 24124; Estimated drive time of 56 minutes. 48 miles. Take US460 toward Blacksburg for 36.8 miles; turn right onto First Street, then left onto Montrose Street, then first right onto Franklin Street, turn left onto Woodland Avenue, then slight left onto Greenwave Lane.
Radio broadcast: 990 AM.
Auburn (2-4) at Bland (3-3)
Last week for Auburn: Lost to Grayson County 45-18. Payson Kelley completed six of 11 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Hunter Keith pulled in five passes for 140 yards and two scores, and Triston Perry rushed 12 times for 137 yards.
Last week for Bland: Beat Rural Retreat 28-24. Jacob Watters completed five of 10 passes for 107 yards to lead the Bears with two touchdowns. Bland rushed for 236 yards, but their defense gave up 380 yards in the win.
Scouting report on Bland: Watters (6-2, 190) returns as the team’s signal caller for a third straight year for Harris Hart who has posted a 48-76 mark at the school. Last year, the Bears finished 4-6. They did win a 1A West Region playoff game in 2015 but did not manage to reach postseason play last year. Tight end Patrick Christian (6-4, 210) does provide a big target for Watters to throw to as the Bears should throw the rock a lot in this game. Runningback Ethan Cook (5-10, 170) has shown some spark out of the back field this season. David Coe (6-0, 220) and Logan Porter (6-0, 260) provides some book ends to run behind.
Directions to Bland County High School: 176 Eagles Road, Rocky Gap, 24366, Estimated travel time of one hour and eight minutes. Merge off US 460 to I-81 South toward Wytheville, travel 36.03 miles to I-77 exit 64 to Bluefield, take the US 52/VA 61 exit toward Rocky Gap, turn right onto N. Scenic Highway US 52, left onto Route 61, then left onto Eagles Road, State Route 628.
Radio broadcast: None.
