Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
The regional finals in high school football are set with two of our area teams reaching for the golden ring and a possible trip to the state semifinals. Both Radford and Blacksburg pulled off impressive wins this past week and are steps away from playing for a state title.
Blacksburg comes in as the top seed in Region 4D and will have to contend with second-seeded E.C. Glass who blew out Jefferson Forest 63-28 this past Saturday.
This will be Glass’ first time since 1995 to advance to the third round or farther. Against Forrest, the Hilltoppers gave up 460 yards.
Blacksburg (12-0) defeated Pulaski County last week 28-21. The Bruins turned up the rushing game for 133 yards with Brian Mitchell running for 50 yards on 15 carries. He scored twice on the ground and returned an interception for another touchdown. The game also was the return of all-around receiver Tiquest Terry who scored on a 56-pass from Grant Johnston. The UVA-commit would collect three passes for 65 yards in his return from a broken wrist.
Coach Eddie Sloss said the win was great for the team’s seniors and the program as a whole. “Beating a good team two times in one season is hard to do. Proud of the players for their perseverance in a hard- fought game,” he said.
Appomattox (11-1) is reaching the Region 2C game against Radford after racking up 272 yards on the ground in a 24-21 win over Glenvar, who Radford beat in the regular season finale. Appomattox QB completed 15 of 26 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Radford (11-1) took care of business in a 20-7 over Gretna. P. J. Prioleau rushed 17 times for 135 yards that included an 82-yard jaunt to open the ballgame on the first play from scrimmage.
As a team, the Bobcats rushed for 204 yards with Justice Marshall adding 63 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
Prioleau finished the regular season with 15 touchdowns and rushed 168 times for 1,179 yards. QB Zane Rupe is also now over a 1,000-yards passing for the season has as he finished the first 10 games 81-134 for 907 yards. Marshall leads the Radford defense with 15.5 tackles for loss, but the biggest defensive weapon might be the strong leg of sophomore kicker Connor Lytton who continues to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line. Lytton is also 39-39 on extra points this season.
Tale of the tape for Appomattox: Doug Smith is in his seventh year, leading the team that was 14-1 last season with the Class 2 state title for the third straight year.
That includes a 44-1 record over three seasons. The team’s offense has been dominant, scoring over 1,300 points in the past two seasons and having outscored opponents 405 to 141 this season.
Their lone loss came to Heritage 33-14. Wins include: 63-14 over Chatham, 24-7 over Gretna and 35-6 over Giles in the opening round of the playoffs.
QB’s Collin Shaw (5’7, 145, sophomore) and Tre Lawing (6’0, 197, freshman) have two different traits and styles they bring to the ball game. Shaw is more of a passer, while Lawing in the runner. Both do provide a dual threat for Smith and his staff.
Collin Shaw (5’10, 170, senior) gives the team an excellent receiver with hands and is used in the jet sweeps. He also plays some QB for the team. Also listen for fullback Cristian Ferguson (5’10, 210) to provide some key blocks in the Appomattox run game.
The offensive line is big with eight players over 240 pounds. The linebacker corps is also strong with three players breaking in the scales at 245-plus pounds. Four players on the defensive line boast a 320-pound average.
Radford and Appomattox have split in two previous meetings (30-6 Radford in 1980 and 43-15 Appomattox in 1981).
Radford will play Appomattox Friday at Bobcat Stadium/Norman G. Lineburg Field. The winner of this game will play the winner of the Region 2D matchup between Richlands (8-4) and Graham (11-1).
Tale of the tape for E.C. Glass versus Blacksburg: Jeff Woody is in fourth year as the head coach of the school. Last year, the team finished 8-4, advancing to round two of the playoffs. This year, GLaass returned eight starters on both sides of the ball. The team’s lone loss came 25-22 to Heritage, and it has outscored opponents 499 to 173 this season. The team’s closest contest was a 28-21 win over William Byrd.
QB DreSean Kendrick (5’11, 175) gives the Hilltoppers a running threat, and he can throw out of the power eye offense. Jairelle Reeves (6’0, 165) is a key target in the passing game.
Defensive tackle Holden Fretz (6’1, 242) is a playmaker for the defense, along with end Jaden Merryman. Blacksburg downed Glass 21-6 in last season’s playoffs.
Coach Sloss on Glass: “I expect E.C. Glass to be the one of the best teams we have faced this year. They are athletic, their offensive line is big and very effective, and their defense is very fast and sound. They remind me a lot of our team. This will be a tough test for us, but I feel confident about the game if we prepare well this week, play with great discipline and take care of the football.”
The Bruins have consistency from the quarterback position as Grant Johnston finished the regular season 141 for 224 with seven interceptions for 2,156 total yards. He has spread the ball around with Thomas Coffey being his leading pass catcher after finishing the regular season with 37 receptions for 732 yards.
In the latest Virginia High School football rankings from MaxPreps, E.C. Glass is ranked fourth and Blacksburg is 17th.
The Blacksburg game will be played Friday night (7 p.m.) at Christiansburg High School. The winner of this game will play the winner of the Region 4C matchup between Woodgrove (8-2) and Sherando (10-1).
