By Marty Gordon
Both Christiansburg and Radford will be playing this weekend in the postseason.
Christiansburg took down Abingdon 26-3 as QB Izaiah Cotto rushed for 115 yards with a touchdown while picking off three passes. Xavier Joplin rushed 17 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
Radford shutout James River 63-0 enroute to their 11th win with no loss as they move on the postseason. Landen Clark had three touchdowns through the air and another one on the ground. Clark finished with a nine-of-13 night for 114 yards. He also rushed for 68 yards.
Max Kanipe had two touchdown catches for Radford as he set a new school record, and another score following an interception. J.D. Grubb added two rushing touchdowns on 10 carries and 45 yards.
Radford will now play a familiar name in Appomattox (6-5), who beat Chatham 49-6. Last year, it was Appomattox who knocked Radford out of the postseason with a 38-33 win.
Quarterback Gray Peterson has back-to-back 1,300 yards seasons.
Tre Kelso scored three touchdowns to stake Appomattox.
Appomattox has defeated the Bobcats in the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but across the last eight campaigns, RHS is the only team to keep ACHS from reaching the state playoffs. Radford ended Appomattox’s postseason run in the region championship in 2018.
Christiansburg will travel to top region team Magna Vista this weekend.
Magna Vista (11-0) defeated Staunton River 35-13 this past week. Running back JJ Spriggs had two touchdowns in the win and rushed 21 times for 159 yards. Sophomore QB Simeon Moore was nine of 12 for 101 yards with a touchdown.
This will be the first meeting between Christiansburg and Magna Vista.
Players of week: Xavier Joplin of Christiansburg, who had
And Max Kanipe of Radford, who broke Parker Prioleau’s record for receiving yards in a full season including playoffs. Prioleau was at 1,011 yards. Kanipe is now at 1,015 yards despite sitting the final two regular season games with an injury.
Predictions for this weekend:
Christiansburg 28, Magna Vista 27
Radford 49, Appomattox 30.
