BHC Picks

[Ryan4VT 4,552]

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT

 

Virginia High at Tazewell

Last meeting: Virginia High 48, Tazewell 7 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Bristol, Virginia)

Last season’s game offered a showcase for 2013 Bristol Herald Courier offensive player of the year and current Bluefield College player Justin Brown. With a mix of moves and power, the 5-foot-7 Brown rattled off 166 yards and four scores. Tazewell has handicapped by four fumbles. …With stars such as Brown, quarterback Austin Kiser and receiver Austin Miles out of the picture, the Bearcats now must generate offense through proven linemen such as Sam Dennis (294 pounds), Chris Stine (241) and Nathan Jordan (273). … After several lackluster seasons, 2014 figures to be a breakthrough year for Tazewell. The Bulldogs feature versatile 211-pound quarterback Mali Davis along with a host of experienced playmakers. …This will be an interesting test for VHS junior quarterback Ivan Moore.

Prediction: Tazewell 21, Virginia High 20

 

BLACK DIAMOND DISTRICT

Twin Valley at Grundy

Last meeting: Grundy 42, Twin Valley 21 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Keen Mountain, Va.)

Grundy holds an 8-0 edge in this Buchanan County rivalry and the Golden Wave has won those meetings by an average of 40 points. … Grundy’s roster features 12 sophomores and seven freshmen. … A key for Twin Valley tonight could be moving the chains and controlling the clock. Austin Shortridge and Jacob Kowalski figure to get plenty of carries. … Middle linebacker Caleb Keen played well in the preseason for the Panthers and could rack up some tackles. … Twin Valley coach Tommy Crigger was once a star quarterback at Grundy. … This could be a close contest come the fourth quarter. Will Twin Valley make history or will Grundy remain perfect against the Panthers?

Prediction: Grundy 12, Twin Valley 10

 

HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT

Chilhowie at Marion

Last meeting: Chilhowie 13, Marion 7, OT (Aug. 30, 2013 in Chilhowie, Va.)

This was one of the best opening-week games in Southwest Virginia last season as the Warriors used a herculean effort from running back Justin Jones to eke out an overtime triumph. … Marion holds a 36-25-2 edge in this series since 1950. … Both squads suffered losses in VHSL Benefit Games last week as Marion fell to Lee High and Chilhowie stumbled against Wise County Central. … Chilhowie held its own with two quality, physical opponents in the preseason (Honaker and Wise County Central) and did not suffer any significant injuries. However, the Warriors’ defense gave up too many big plays and failed to produce points in the red zone on several occasions. … Chilhowie quarterback Hunter Delp was 11-of-20 for 102 yards through the air and rushed for 42 yards in the loss to Central last Friday. … Marion lost its initial Hogoheegee District game to the Warriors last season in gut-wrenching fashion. Revenge could be a prevailing theme tonight for those in red-and-white and expect Scarlet Hurricanes star Sam Wagner to run with a purpose.

Prediction: Marion 30, Chilhowie 17

 

NON-CONFERENCE

Unaka at Sullivan East

Last meeting: Sullivan East 31, Unaka 0 (Aug. 30, 2013, in Elizabethton, Tenn.)

Sullivan East wasn’t quite able to pull off the upset against David Crockett in its opener last week, falling 26-20, but the program has something it’s lacked in recent years – hope. There will be plenty of growing pains still, but something is brewing in Bluff City. … Tonight’s as gimme of a game as its gets for a team carrying a nine-game losing streak with just one win in its past 23 games. That lone victory for East in the stretch came in easy fashion last year against the Rangers. … Unaka, which competes at the 1A level in the postseason, actually managed to post a 4-6 record last year and made the playoffs, but the Rangers were stomped 40-7 in the first round by Midway. Unaka began its 2014 campaign with a 27-12 loss last week to Oliver Springs. … There’s plenty of potential for more than just one win this year for East, but for now any victory is still a cause for celebration in Bluff City.

Prediction: Sullivan East 35, Unaka 7

 

NON-DISTRICT

Holston at Rye Cove

Last meeting: Holston 41, Rye Cove 8 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Damascus, Va.)

Derrick Patterson makes his head coaching debut for Holston and at 25-years-old is the youngest head coach in the area. … Both Holston and Rye Cove struggled last week in their final preseason tune-ups. … Holston rolled up 319 rushing yards in rocking Rye Cove a year ago. … Holston senior quarterback Seth Thomas might be the x-factor in this matchup.

Prediction: Holston 29, Rye Cove 20

 

Northwood at Twin Springs

Last meeting: Northwood 28, Twin Springs 7 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Saltville, Va.)

One of four new coaches in the Hogoheegee District, interim Northwood boss Tommy Prater makes his debut tonight in Nickelsville. . … Northwood was opportunistic in last season’s meeting with Twin Springs as the Panthers returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns. … Both teams have some size. … Twin Springs started the 2013 season with a 1-5 mark. Look for the Titans to have a much better beginning this fall.

Prediction: Twin Springs 22, Northwood 18

 

Thomas Walker at Patrick Henry

Last meeting: Patrick Henry 42, Thomas Walker 26 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Ewing, Va.)

This is one of the longest trips an area team will make for a game this season as Thomas Walker treks from Lee County to Washington County. … The Rebels and Pioneers both enter the season on seven-game losing streaks. … Patrick Henry had a productive preseason and the Rebels’ defense has looked improved from a year ago. … PH allowed 35.6 points per game last season, while Thomas Walker yielded 46.8 points per contest. No wonder the teams combined for 68 points in last season’s game. … Freshman Jacob Davis will likely start at quarterback tonight for the Pioneers after looking impressive last Friday in a scrimmage. Shawn Williams, who was penciled in as the starting QB during media day, will move to his natural position at running back. … Thomas Walker is improved, but PH should power its way to a win.

Prediction: Patrick Henry 31, Thomas Walker 18

 

Rural Retreat at Fort Chiswell

Last meeting: Fort Chiswell 49, Rural Retreat 7 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Rural Retreat, Va.)

Chris Akers will make his head-coaching debut for Rural Retreat, while Tom Hale is in his first season as Fort Chiswell’s boss. … Hale went 78-81 in 15 seasons guiding the program at Carroll County. … Akers previously served as an assistant at George Washington-Danville and William Fleming. … Fort Chiswell lost its best lineman to the Southeastern Conference (Coleman Thomas is now playing at the University of Tennessee) and its top running back to transfer (Patrick Beidleman joined the program at Giles). However, the Pioneers still feature 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman Jordan Crockett and 1,000-yard rusher Dallas Ward. Ward ran for 153 yards against Rural Retreat in last season’s opener. … Rural Retreat has a young team and some of those inexperienced Indians will get indoctrinated in varsity football tonight in Max Meadows.

Prediction: Fort Chiswell 41, Rural Retreat 16

 

George Wythe at Radford

Last meeting: George Wythe 21, Radford 14 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Wytheville, Va.)

This game will mark Brandon Harner’s first game as George Wythe’s head coach and it happens to come against one of the Maroons’ biggest rivals. … Since 1951, Radford holds a 34-22-1 edge in the series. … George Wythe senior running back Trey Skeens will be gunning for his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season this fall. He gained 1,354 yards on the ground in 2012 and amassed 1,452 yards in 2013. … Skeens accumulated 101 yards on the ground last season against the Bobcats. … Richlands graduate and long-time Patrick Henry assistant Brandon Blankenship is now on the GW coaching staff. … Elijah Onks, who gained 1,026 rushing yards and scored 11 TDs for the Maroons last year, has transferred to 3A Warhill High School in Williamsburg, Virginia. … George Wythe might have had the toughest preseason slate around. The Maroons scrimmaged Richlands, Belfry (Ky.), Gate City, Clintwood and J.I. Burton. … Radford graduated some of its top defensive players and the Bobcats don’t have much depth. However, quarterback Marcus Finley is one of the best 1A athletes in the state and fullback Heth Grant is physical. … It should be a good one at Norman G. Lineburg Field.

Prediction: George Wythe 23, Radford 22

 

Abingdon at John Battle

Last meeting: John Battle 36, Abingdon 20 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Abingdon, Virginia)

With two new head coaches, there should be plenty of intrigue for this Washington County matchup. …At Abingdon, rugged boss Darren Reed wants to bring a more physical approach to a program that has sputtered in recent years. The return of senior lineman Daniel Bailey and dynamic running back Raequon Jordan is a plus. Jordan rushed for 154 yards against the Trojans last season. …Battle coach Brian Lee is working with a new offense and defense. The Trojans struggled in a VHSL benefit game last week against Fort Chiswell, but the real test for Lee’s no-huddle, spread offense comes tonight. …Battle took advantage of two fumbles and a botched field goal to open a 34-0 lead over the Falcons by the third quarter last season. … After a long wait, Battle officials will dedicate a large new scoreboard tonight.

Prediction: Abingdon 21, John Battle 10

 

Eastside at Wise County Central

Last meeting: Eastside 18, Wise Central 0 (Aug. 30, 2013 in Coeburn, Virginia)

The 2013 matchup of these teams offered a microcosm of the season for Central. With Logan Collins blasting out 135 yards, the Warriors rushed for a total 234 yards but five fumbles spelled doom. … New Central coach Luke Owens is relying on the tandem of senior running back Brad Brooks and freshman quarterback Dalton Mullins. Brooks accounted for 142 yards and two scores last week as Central dusted Chilhowie 27-6 in a VHSL benefit game. … Youth is the word for Eastside, which fell 20-0 at Abingdon last week. Spartans coach Matthew Hamilton started eight sophomores and a freshman against AHS…. Senior Justin Banks has moved to quarterback for Eastside after collecting 973 total yards last season at slotback.

Prediction: Central 21, Eastside 6

 

Clintwood at Union

Last meeting: Clintwood 23, Union 21 (Aug. 30, 2013 at Clintwood, Virginia)

The matchup between rivals last season produced a classic. In front of a huge crowd at Ralph Cummins Stadium, Clintwood took the victory with a 35-yard field goal at the 16-second mark. … Emotions will be running high again tonight at Bullitt Park for various reasons … For Clintwood, it’s the first game since the death of the legendary Cummins. This is also the final season for the tradition-rich Greenwave program before consolidation. ….Union must somehow replace 22 seniors, including its top two rushers. Senior quarterback Tanner Hall provides stability while 6-foot-4 junior receiver Jay Gavin is a game-breaker. … Hardcore football fans need to arrive early for this coalfield clash.

Prediction: Union 21, Clintwood 14

 

SATURDAY’S GAME

Hurley vs. East Ridge

6 p.m. (At Pikeville, Ky.)

Last meeting: Hurley 36, East Ridge 14 (Aug. 31, 2013 in Pikeville, Ky.)

This is part of the six-game, two-day, three-site Pike County Bowl. … Pikeville faces Hazard after Hurley’s game with East Ridge at the W.C. Hambley Athletic Complex in Pikeville. … East Ridge (1-0) posted a 20-8 victory over Allen Central last week as Randy Williamson recorded three sacks for the Warriors. … Hurley dominated East Ridge last season as Traquan Oliver scored a pair of touchdowns. Look for Oliver to be the difference-maker once again.

Prediction: Hurley 36, East Ridge 14