Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
The opening night of high school football is upon us with all our area teams kicking off the season on Friday night. Radford hits the road to face former New River District rival-George Wythe while the other four schools open at home.
Game previews
Floyd at Christiansburg
Floyd coach: Winfred Beale (overall mark at Floyd, 205-176-2)
Christiansburg coach: Alex Wilkens, second year after 0-10 in 2017.
Last week for Christiansburg: Downed Carroll County 30-0 in benefit game. Mac Padget led the team with 14 rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Te’Jon Nash-Pierson, a Texas-transfer, added six for 45 yards and a touchdown, and Jake Clemons was nine of 46 yards. Clemons and M.J. Hunter split time at quarterback Clemons was four of 6 for 52 yards through the air, while Hunter was four of four for 126 yards with two touchdowns. Caleb Henley pulled n four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Interesting note on this game: This will be the second game for Wilkens against his former mentor, Beale at Floyd.
Scouting report on Floyd: The Buffaloes finished 9-3 last season after beating Christiansburg 18-0 in 2017 opener for both teams. Knocked out of the state playoffs after losing 24-0 to Gretna.
Interesting note: Beale is one the top three active winningest coaches in the state. This will be his 28th year on the sidelines with no announcement on retirement. Christiansburg holds an 18 to 7 margin of wins over Floyd. Last time, Christiansburg picked up win over Floyd was in 2012 in a 35-21 contest. Second game for CHS at home on the new turf field.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Radio broadcast:100.7 FM.
Radford at George Wythe
George Wythe coach: Brandon Harner (fifth year, 49-13 overall mark).
Last season: GW was 6-5.
Radford coach: Matthew Saunders (12 years with 71-58 mark; 2-8 last season).
Last week for Radford: Lost 27-12 in benefit game with Pulaski. Radford rushed for 170 yards on 32 attempts with Zane Rupe racking up 71 yards on 12 carries. P.J. Prioleau added 10 attempts for 66 yards. Radford was five of 12 for 61 yards though the air.
Scouting report on George Wythe: 6-5 last season, beat Radford 26-18 in opener. Lost to Parry McCluer 14-9 in state playoffs. In Radford game last year, GW defense held Bobcats to 69 yards passing and 89 rushing.
Interesting note on this game: Radford leads the series 45-30 with four ties that dates back to 1916. Most memorable was 2015 regular season game, which Radford won 55-27 then GW took playoff game 35-28.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Radio broadcast:101.7 FM
Narrows at Auburn
Narrows coach: Kelly Lowe (overall mark of 74-93 in 15 years, last season 11-2).
Last season: 12-3 record and beat Auburn 27-0. Knocked out of the playoffs 28-27 by Galax. Auburn’s returning-QB was six of 12 passing for 19 yards last season against Narrows.
Auburn coach: Cam Akers (third season, 7-13 overall; 4-6 last year).
Game time: 7 p.m.
Radio broadcast: None.
Holston at Eastern Montgomery
Holston coach: Derrick Patterson, fourth year. (overall record 5-39, last season 2-8).
Eastern Montgomery coach: Jordan Stewart (overall record in four seasons with overall mark of 7-33, last season record was 3-7).
Last week for Eastern Montgomery: Lost 34-16 to Tazewell in benefit game. Cole Shepherd intercepted a pass on Tazwell’s first possession that set up the first of two Dylan Owens touchdowns.
Scouting report on Holston: Beat Eastern Montgomery 32-29 last season as they finished 2-8. Holston was outscored last year 401 to 171.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Radio broadcast: None.
Giles at Blacksburg
Giles coach: Jeff Williams (nine seasons with 91-27 overall mark; last season 9-3).
Blacksburg coach: Eddie Sloss, first season.
Blacksburg last season: 11-2
Last week for Giles: Bluefield, West Virginia downed Giles 51-13 in benefit game.
Scouting report on Giles: The Spartans might be thin in number but big in size with eight players over 200 pounds including lineman John Ratcliffe at 6-5, 305. Others for the Bruins to deal with: Jay Anton (6-4, 255), Bryson Martin (6-7, 356) and tight end Kip Green (6-5, 290).
Interesting notes: Ratcliffe had previously lived in Pulaski County before his parents moved to Giles four years ago. Giles will not have a middle school team this year because of declining numbers.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Radio broadcast: ESPN Blacksburg.
