Blacksburg, Radford pick up wins
Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Former Blacksburg High School coach Dave Crist says it was an honor to teach the game of football to so many kids, but it is even better to see them succeed later in life.
This week, he retired for the second time from coaching.
In 1974, he came to Blacksburg and stayed until 2014 as head coach. Crist amassed 239 wins and collecting state titles in 1977 and 1989.
But sometimes coaching simply stays in your bloodstream.
Several years ago, Crist was approached by a middle school coach to assist with his staff. He jumped at the opportunity but agreed it would be for just one season. He stayed for another eight.
The middle school wrapped up their season last week, and Crist announced he would no longer coach after this year.
Crist’s sons have continued his legacy, Brian at Virginia Tech and Michael at Radford High School.
Crist and his Radford squad picked up a win this past Friday night to set up the matchup with an undefeated Glenvar squad.
In addition to Radford, Dave Crist’s former team, Blacksburg also picked up a big win over Hidden Valley.
Player of week: Blacksburg’s Mack Strahm caught five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. So, for his effort, he is this week’s player of the week.
Area’s Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Floyd, 4) Giles, 5) Radford.
This week’s games:
Radford (4-2) at Glenvar (7-0)
Peyton Dobbins returned from an injury after missing two games to throw for two touchdowns as Radford beat Patrick County 16-7. Dobbins finished 16 of 19 for 193 yards. Louis Webster kicked a 37-yard field goal in the win.
Glenvar is 7-0 after a 42-0 shutout of James River. QB Brody Dawyot finished 27 of 37 for 297 yards through the air with five touchdowns. He also ran for another score. Jace Forster scored three times with 103 yards on seven catches. Tre Dawyot added six catches from his brother for 81 yards with a score.
Prediction: Glenvar 32, Radford 28.
Bath County (3-2) at Eastern Montgomery (1-6)
Bath’s Ethan Bryant had 31 carries for 116 yards in a 33-12 loss to Pendleton, West Virginia.
Craig County rolled over Eastern Montgomery 44-6 last week. Chase Bierman had a two-yard run for the team’s only score.
Prediction: Bath 38, Eastern Montgomery 21.
Blacksburg (3-4) at Pulaski (2-4)
Blacksburg shutout Hidden Valley 43-0 last week as Mack Strahm caught five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Easton Holt also ran for 59 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Pulaski fell 56-10 to Graham. Carter Wilson rushed seven times for 48 yards. Pulaski was limited to 140 yards of total offense.
Prediction: Blacksburg 42, Pulaski 10
Christiansburg (1-5) at Hidden Valley (0-6)
Christiansburg ran into a buzz saw this past week, following 48-14 to Patrick Henry. Sean McMurray rushed for 102 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown. Jackson Banfield returned a PH fumble for another score.
Hidden Valley was shutout 43-0 against Blacksburg.
Prediction: Christiansburg 36, Hidden Valley 20.
George Wythe (4-3) at Auburn (4-3)
This Mt. Empire District matchup is an interesting one to watch as Auburn is in its first full season in three years, while George Wythe’s season has been up and down.
Last week, George Wythe slipped by Grayson County 28-26. Isaac Smith finished with four touchdowns, two passing and two rushing. Smith was 11 of 21 through the air for 98 yards.
Auburn fell 34-24 on the road in Northwood.
Prediction: GW 38, Auburn 30.