Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
This week’s “Battle of the Burgs” between Christiansburg and Blacksburg high schools will be for a symbolic trophy that features the area’s coal mining history.
Starting in 2019, the winner of the contest was presented the “Huckleberry Coal Miner’s” helmet.
The Huckleberry Trail has deep roots and a long history in providing transportation between Blacksburg and Christiansburg. It began as the Virginia Anthracite Coal and Rail Company in 1902 to transport coal and soon extended to Blacksburg. On Sept. 15, 1904, the first passenger train rolled into Blacksburg. It was soon nicknamed “Huckleberry Crossing” because when the train would stall, passengers could step off the train and pass time picking the abundance of huckleberries along the route. The name stuck, and “Huckleberry Crossing” was soon painted on the depot.
On July 25, 1958, the Huckleberry made its last steam run and operated on power until Aug. 9, 1958. In the summer of 1966, the Blacksburg depot was closed.
In 1966, work began to transform the train path into a nature trail for about one mile between the Blacksburg Library and Airport Road. The paved trail now extends to Christiansburg High School, an estimated eight miles. Christiansburg has held the helmet for the past five years.
Galax made it official, bowing out of the rest of the 2025 season. Thus, several local teams will not have an opportunity to make up the missed game.
Player of week: Luke Mann rolled in a victory for Blacksburg. He ran for 201 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns.
Area Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Floyd, 4) Giles, 5) Craig County
Carroll County (5-2) at Radford
Glenvar remained one of the only undefeated teams in the Three Rivers district, continuing their dominant season with a 35-0 victory over Radford.
Peyton Dobbins did complete seven of 19 passes for 101 yards. Trenton Carter had two receptions for 66 yards.
Meanwhile Carroll knocked Floyd from the ranks of the unbeaten in a 52-49 slugfest where they racked up 477 rushing yards. Five different players scored touchdowns with no turnovers.
Carroll QB Isaiah Easter rushed 12 times for 121 yards with a touchdown. Ayden Dickerson added 113 yards, and Youssef Elalfy added 96 yards.
Prediction: Radford 32, Carroll County 28.
Christiansburg (2-6) at Blacksburg (4-4)
Sean McMurray rushed for 119 carries on 12 carries, scoring twice as Christiansburg jumped out to a 35-0 lead after the first half and never looked back in 49-0 win over Hidden Valley. Christiansburg rushed for 221 yards as a team as they won their second game of the season.
Blacksburg downed Pulaski 48-22 last week as the Bruins dominated on the ground. Luke Mann had over 200 yards, while Trick Sams added two scores and 67 yards, and Easton Holt ran 12 times for 116 yards.
Prediction: Christiansburg 35, Blacksburg 34.
Eastern Montgomery (1-7) at Narrows (2-5)
Eastern Montgomery has had a hard time finding wins this season, but Pioneer District opponent Narrows has had similar misfortune.
Prediction: Narrows 32, Eastern Montgomery 24.
