Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Montgomery County rivals Eastern Montgomery and Auburn will meet this week with the prestigious “Golden Helmet” on the line.
The symbolic trophy has been controlled by Auburn the past few years, and Eastern Montgomery will try to stop end the Eagles’ streak Friday night at home.
Blacksburg will be the only other county team at home with a contest against Richlands. Radford and Christiansburg will both have road games with the Bobcats playing on Wednesday due to impending tropical storms.
Auburn (2-1) at Eastern Montgomery (1-2)
Last week for Auburn: The Eagles spread the wealth around on the ground with Carson East, Payson Kelley and Carter Brockman, all scoring a touchdown in the 27-20 road win over Floyd. Kelley has rushed 34 times for 373 yards and seven scores this season.
Last week for Eastern Montgomery: The Mustangs were shut out by one of the state’s top private schools in Roanoke Catholic 43-0 and held them to 94 yards of total offense, including just five yards in the first half. Devin Owens has rushed 40 times this year for 243 yards.
Scouting report on this game is a tossup. Auburn has played well in the early part of the season, while Eastern Montgomery has not showed consistency in two losses. Auburn leads the series 24 to 17.
Broadcast: None.
Richlands (1-1) at Blacksburg (3-0)
Last week for Richlands: It lost 42-28 to Union. Richlands opened the season with a 42-7 win over Gate City. The Blue Tornado have outscored their opponents, 70 to 49 this season.
Last week for Blacksburg: The Bruins beat Amherst 36-7. The Bruins have outscored opponents 131 to 49 this season. QB Grant Johnston was 11 of 19 through the air for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Chas Shealor also kicked two field goals.
Scouting report on Richlands: The Greg Mance led team was 4-7 last season and is off to a slow start this year. Last season was the school’s first losing season in 19 years. The team boasts 72 total players with 10 returners. Race Moir (6-2, 220) moves from tight end to QB with a capable receiver in Taylor Horn (6-2, 205). Last year’s signal caller Trey Brown moves to running back. The team also has some size across the line with Luke Martin (6-1, 225) and Ethan Phipps (6-2, 245). Linebackers Dylan Adkins (6-3, 240) and Ian Wade (6-3, 200) will cause some disruption in any opponent’s running game.
Kicker Levi Forest (6-5, 160, junior) hit a 57-yarder in scrimmage earlier this year and has garnered interest from several Division I schools. He hit four field goals of over 43 yards last season.
Broadcast: 97.1/93.1 FM, 810 AM.
Christiansburg (1-2) at Abingdon (2-1)
Last week for Christiansburg: The Blue Demons fell 28-20 to Liberty as QB MJ Hunter was 11 of 15 for 151 yards with a touchdown. Caleb Henley led all receives with seven catches for 91 yards. Hunter is 25 of 38 on the season with no interceptions with 332 total yards.
Last week for Abingdon: It lost 42-14 to Pulaski County. Runningback Martin Lucas rushed 17 times for 133 yards and a touchdown. Pulaski limited Abingdon to a 14 of 21 night through the air for only 36 yards. Abingdon finished with 169 total yards of offense for the game.
Scouting report on Abingdon: Garrett Amburgey, who was an assistant at the school, was given the keys to the Falcons just three weeks before the season opener and has managed two early wins. Last season, the Falcons was 6-5 and lost in the opening round of the Class 3D playoffs. The team has 70 players with 19 seniors and run a typical spread offense.
QB Gabe Booth returns with Lucas and Sean Canada carrying the rock in the power offense. The defensive line of Ethan Roake (6-0, 230) and Dylan Hale (6-1, 235) provide run stoppers up front. On the opposite side of the line, Gage Bassham (6-4, 290) give the Falcons size at left tackle.
Broadcast: 100.7 FM.
Radford (2-1) at Gretna (3-0)
Last week for Radford: The Bobocats rolled over Ft. Chiswell 26-6 as QB Zane Rupe rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another. P.J. Prioleau rushed 15 times for 105 yards. For the season, he has 56 carries for 312 yards.
Last week for Gretna: Beat Nottoway 42-7.
Scouting report on Gretna: The team has outscored opponents 150 to 14 this season. Running back Damien Canada averages 151.2 yards per game, while QB Tabron Mabins averages 128 yards per game through the air.
Broadcast: 101.7 FM.
