Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Blacksburg took another step toward a second playoff appearance with a win over Pulaski County, while Christiansburg remained winless in a loss to Hidden Valley.
Auburn took a thriller in overtime over Bland, and Eastern Montgomery fell on the road to Bland.
This week, Blacksburg faces Hidden Valley and Patrick Henry travels to Christiansburg. Radford will tangle with James River in a Three Rivers District contest, and Covington visits Eastern Montgomery in Pioneer play. In the other Montgomery County game, Auburn travels to Galax.
Game previews:
Patrick Henry (4-3) at Christiansburg (0-7)
Last week for Christiansburg: Lost 45-20 to Hidden Valley. Charles Nwaihesie rushed for 111 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown.
Last week for PH: Beat Cave Spring 17-14.
PH scouting report: Alan Fiddler is in his seventh season and is 42-23 at the school. PH was 8-3 last season, lost in first round of the 5A region playoffs. Grant Jennings (6-3, 200) will have to replace Jontae Murray at quarterback. Runningback Javon Hollinghead (5-7, 175) is the workhorse for the Patriots. Offensive linemen Omega Webb (6-3, 275) and Charlie Boxley (6-5, 245) provide size on both sides of the ball.
Radio broadcast: 100.7 FM.
Blacksburg (7-1) at Hidden Valley (1-6)
Last week for Blacksburg: Beat Pulaski 53-28. Bruins rushed for 226 yards including Cole Beck who was 16 for 192 yards with three touchdowns.
Last week for Hidden Valley: Beat Christiansburg 45-20. QB Jonah Fitzgerald rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns and was 19 of 25 for 226 yards.
Scouting report on Hidden Valley: Scott Weaver is in his ninth season with a 43-47 mark at the school including a 5-6 mark last year, losing in the first round of the 3A West region. The team only returns two starters on each side of the ball. Fitzgerald (6-4, 186) returns along with running back Ethan Slaughter (5-9, 185). Fitzgerald passed for 2,160 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
Radio broadcast: 105.3 FM.
Covington (4-3) at Eastern Montgomery (2-5)
Last week for Eastern Montgomery: Lost to Narrows 35-14. Nick Bahnken finished the night 10 of 20 for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Last week for Covington: Beat Parry McCluer 50-28.
Scouting report on Covington: The team was 6-5 a year ago losing in the 1A West Region first round of the playoffs. Quarterback K.J. Moore (6-2, 170) returns with two potent receivers on the outside in Garrett Crawford (6-2, 185) and Blake Woodzell (5-11, 155). Also, De’Andre Heighter (5-10, 165) gives Moore a speedster at his disposal out of the backfield. Remember the names Austin Looney (5-11, 360) and Jabari Williams (6-4, 220), two big bodies that will clog the middle.
Radio broadcast: None.
Auburn (3-5) at Galax (5-2)
Last week for Auburn: Beat Bland 35-28 in overtime. Cameron Chestnut rushed 15 times for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and Carson East rushed 16 times for 107 yards and Payson Kelley ran for two scores.
Last week for Galax: Beat George Wythe 50-13. Dougie Peoples rushed for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Blake Brown added 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Scouting report on Galax: Mark Dixon is in his eighth year with a 68-25 overall mark including 11-3 last year when they lost in the Group 1A state semifinal. Peoples (5-9, 175) and Brown (5-10, 170) are the two headed monster for the Maroon Tide with over 100 yards per game for the past two seasons. Peoples had 1,970 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. He scored eight in a win over Narrows last year. The school installed artificial turf during the offseason. Linebackers Levi Reynolds (6-0, 195) and Walker Bobbitt (5-9, 155) lead a defense that has been stingy to opponents so far this season. Tight end Noah Hutchens (6-1, 190) provides an excellent if and when the team decides to pass the ball. Galax has won 31 games over the past three seasons.
Radio broadcast: None.
Radford (1-6) at James River (2-5)
Last week for Radford: Open week. Two weeks ago, lost to Floyd 29-16. Chris Carter rushed 13 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Last week for James River: Lost 42-14 to Alleghany. Coulter Hodges threw for a touchdown and ran for another.
Scouting report on James River: James River will play a Three Rivers District schedule this season. Former player Jake Phillips is in his third season with 11-10 record, including 3-7 in 2016. Hodges (5-10, 180) moves from tailback to quarterback. Running back Michael Hays (6-0, 190) will start behind him in a typical run and gun type offense. James River is young and inexperienced and is learning on the fly this year.
Radio broadcast: 101.7 FM.
