Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Both Radford and Blacksburg are on their way to the state’s final four after wins on Friday, and the two football teams took a similar path to get there.
Defense was a key as Radford downed three-time defending state champion Appomattox, and Blacksburg shutdown a powerful E.C. Glass offense.
The Bobcats (11-1) had to hold off a late rally by Appomattox for a hard-fought 28-25 win for the Region C crown. Friday’s contest was back and forth as the two teams traded touchdowns throughout the first half the game. Radford led 21-17 at halftime.
P.J. Prioleau rushed 10 times for 117 yards with a score, but it was Justice Marshall who stole the show for Radford. Marshall returned a block kick for a touchdown, then scoring on a run and another on a 10-yard pass from Prioleau.
But again, it was the defense that showed up at the right place at the right time in forcing four Appomattox turnovers.
Radford coach Matthew Saunders said his team’s defense has been playing great all year, and special teams has been special this year.
“Those two to phases feed off of each other and help our offense,” he said.
Saunders said it feels good to get another win and keep coaching this guys.
“It has been fun and I want keep being around this group as long as I can,” he said.
Tiquest Terry is back in Blacksburg after suffering a broken wrist week seven. He rushed seven times against Glass for 92 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored another on a pass reception.
But again, it was the defense that limited a Glass offense to just 14 total points, seven in the first and another score late in the contest. The Hilltoppers had come into the game averaging over 40 points per game.
Sloss said his team has used discipline, speed and determination to be a dominant defense this season.
“Our defensive staff is second to none in my honest opinion and they’ve done a great job preparing these young men each and every week. What we don’t have in size, our guys make up for with speed and tenacity,” he said.
Brian Mitchell, who scored on an 80-yard run for the Bruins, rushed five times for 87 yards.
QB Grant Johnston finished the night 11 of 17 for 169 yards with two picks.
Sloss said hats off to Coach Woody and his staff at E.C. Glass.
“They were very talented, and a very well coached football team. I have no doubt those guys will be back next year. I can honestly say it was satisfying to see our young men play the way we and they knew they could play. We played well in all three phases of the game,” he said.
This week’s matchups:
Blacksburg (12-0) faces Woodgrove (10-2) of Purcellville who advanced with a 27-3 win over Sherando.
Tale of tape on Woodgrove: They have outscored opponents 367 to 158 this season with losses coming to Massaponax (27-6) and Broad Run (33-7) and boasts 125 players on its varsity roster.
The team returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense. QB Graham Walker is a transfer from Battlefield. Woodgrove leads Loudoun County’s Class 4 with 28 wins over the past three season and was 6-4 last year, missing the playoffs for the first time in Mike Skinner’s seven year coaching career at the school. He is 52-19 overall.
Woodgrove is averaging 363.3 yards per game (229.2 rushing) and averaging 34.9 points per game with a seven game winning streak in hand.
The offense is led by Walker, the Dulles District Player of the Year, who has completed 95 of 159 passes for 1,258 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions and rushed for 840 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry.
The 6’0’’, 200-pound dual-threat Walker ran the ball 38 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns against Loudoun County and completed 14 of 20 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown.
Woodgrove also features two first-team all-district running backs in 5-10, 200-pound junior KJ Lewis (1,137 yards, 5.8 average, 14 TDs) and 6-3, 220-pound freshman Price Williams (308 yards, 6.7 average, 2 TDs).
Walker’s receiving targets include 6’4’’, 225-pound senior Ben Castellano (36 catches, 277 yards, 4 TDs); 6’2’’, 220-pound tight end Cameron Beebe (15 catches, 178 yards, 2 TDs); and 6’6’’ senior Nick Lockhart (20 catches, 455 yards, 4 TDs). Lockhart has committed to pitch for Virginia Tech’s baseball team. Castellano has committed to play football at the University of Richmond.
In the region championship game, Walker rushed 19 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed 10 of 15 passes for 195 yards.
Sloss and his team do not know that much about this week’s opponent, but admits it will take a great week of preparation. “We also need to clean up a few things and play the way we did against E.C. Glass,” he said.
The Woodgrove-Blacksburg contest is slated for Saturday at Christiansburg High School. “Woodgrove is a lot like us. They have played a brutal schedule. Their two loses have come from 5A schools while. I expect them to bring a lot of pressure and I expect them to spread us out and keep our defense on our heels,” Sloss concluded.
Blacksburg will play Woodgrove at Christiansburg High School at 2 p.m. Saturda in the Class 4 State semifinals. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and tickets are $10.
Radford will face Graham (12-1) who moved into the next round by beating Richlands 38-10 on Saturday.
Against Richlands, Graham QB Cam Allen had 265 total yards and generated five touchdowns. Allen scored on runs of 92 and 59 yards, threw for two scores, and returned a punt 82 yards for a score.
Tale of tape on Graham: The G-Men have won 12 straight games this season and have outscored their opponents 457 to 157. Their only loss came 38-14 to cross-state rival Bluefield. Common opponents with Radford include wins over Ft. Chiswell (41-10) and Giles (28-13).
Head coach Tony Palmer has now won 40 games in four years at Graham. In the Richlands game, Graham outgained their opponents 429 to 62, so they come into Saturday’s game with Radford with a very stout defense.
The G-Men are big across the line with Brody Meadows (6-6, 286) and Gave Sesco (6-7, 275). Last season, they finished 11-2.
Allen has committed to play defensive back at Purdue next year. The previous year was no slouch for him as he threw for 1,875 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior while rushing for another 1,245 yards and being named to the all-state first team as a DB.
Six-foot-six linebacker Nick Kastner also does the kicking duties and is reliable from 45 yards inward. Tre Booker, who transferred from Richlands is a reliable back to hand the ball off to.
Saunders said his team to be physical and athletic in this week’s games.
“They can hit you with a big play anytime during the game. We have to keep getting better and stay focused. We have a huge task ahead us,” he said.
Radford will play Graham Saturday December 1, 2 p.m. at Bobcat stadium/Norman G. Lineburg Field.
The winner of the Radford-Graham game will play the winner of Goochland (13-0) versus East Rockingham (13-0). The winner of the Blacksburg-Woodgrove game will play the winner of Eastern View (13-0) versus Lake Taylor (12-1).
