BHC Picks Week 6

[Ryan4VT 4,557]

PREP FOOTBALL: The rest of the predictions 09/30/2011 1:38 AM

Big Eight Conference

 

Sullivan Central at Dobyns-Bennett

 

Last meeting: Dobyns-Bennett 61, Sullivan Central 7 (Sept. 3, 2010 in Kingsport, Tenn.)

 

On paper, this is the Big Eight Conference’s biggest mismatch. The Cougars (0-5, 0-2) finished at the bottom of the league in 2010 and are in the cellar again, while the Indians (5-0, 2-0) are the defending Big Eight champs and are once more the class of the conference. … Central’s scoring woes have worsened as the Cougars haven’t recorded a touchdown in 12 quarters dating back to a fourth-quarter scoring reception by Logan Fox in a blowout loss to Science Hill way back on Sept. 2. Overall, the Cougars are averaging a mere 6.6 points per game. … The Indians, meanwhile, have no problem lighting up the scoreboard as they have scored 40-plus points in four of their five wins for an average of 42 ppg. Their victories include a 63-21 shellacking of Sullivan South and a wild 42-41 triumph over Sevier County. … Expect D-B to dial it back late if things get out of hand tonight after the Indians scored 61 on the Cougars in 2010, the most points Central has ever allowed in school history.

 

Prediction: Dobyns-Bennett 55, Sullivan Central 9

 

Daniel Boone at Tennessee High

 

Last meeting: Daniel Boone 24, Tennessee High 10 (Oct. 22, 2010 in Gray, Tenn.)

 

The Trailblazers last visit to the Stone Castle hasn’t been forgotten by many Tennessee High fans. In the second round of the 5A playoffs on Nov. 13, 2009, Boone stunned the unbeaten Vikings 23-14 just three weeks after Tennessee High had demolished the Trailblazers 51-26 during the regular season. Since then, the Vikings have put up a middling 8-8 record. … Tennessee High (2-3, 1-1) and Boone (2-3, 1-1) are both coming off bye weeks looking to turn their seasons around. Neither school has finished with a losing record since Boone went 4-6 in 2003. The Vikings last losing record came courtesy of a 2-8 campaign in 1994. … This game could prove pivotal in the playoff race as both teams figure to be scrapping for one of the final 5A berths. Expect the Vikings to finally – if narrowly – get their revenge for 2009.

 

Prediction: Tennessee High 24, Daniel Boone 20

 

Three Rivers Conference

 

Sullivan East at Happy Valley

 

Last meeting: Happy Valley 55, Sullivan East 0 (Oct. 1, 2010 in Bluff City, Tenn.)

 

The Warriors (4-2, 1-1) have been a hard team to figure out in 2011. They opened the season with a pair of blowout wins, followed by two shutout losses and then rebounded with two narrow victories. … Sullivan East (4-1, 1-1) won three out of four when the teams met in the 1990s, but the Warriors have outscored the Patriots by a combined 83-14 tally in two wins since they became conference foes in 2009. … The history books show East is better at fast starts to a season than strong finishes. The Pats of 2008 (3-2 first half, 1-4 second), 2006 (3-2, 1-4) and 2005 (4-1, 1-4) all slumped after midseason. … While East’s 2011 record is impressive coming off a winless 2010 season, the combined mark of the four teams the Patriots have defeated is a ghastly 1-19. A triumph tonight, however, would stamp East as a true contender for its first playoff berth since 2007.

 

Prediction: Sullivan East 21, Happy Valley 19

 

Southwest Virginia

 

Cumberland District

 

Twin Springs at Ervinton

 

Last meeting: Twin Springs 35, Ervinton 20 (Oct. 1, 2010 in Nickelsville, Va.)

 

Ervinton earned its first win of the season and did so in impressive fashion, taking care of Tri-Cities Christian by a 26-6 margin. Creative quarterback Skylar Hale made some key plays for the Rebels. … Twin Springs suffered a blowout loss to J.I. Burton, but the Titans still have a shot at claiming the district title. … Look for the Titans to get off on the right foot in the first of five straight district games.

 

Prediction: Twin Springs 39, Ervinton 6

 

Non-District

 

Carroll County at Martinsville

 

Last meeting: N/A

 

Winless Carroll County generated a buzz across area stadiums last week after taking a 13-12 halftime lead against Grayson County. Grayson, which eventually posted a 26-19 win, is ranked No. 1 among VHSL Group A teams. …Carroll has faced a challenging schedule, but the Cavaliers have been in position to win three games behind noseguard-fullback Jacob Mollett. … Martinsville (1-3) is coming off a 17-10 loss on a muddy field at Halifax County. The Bulldogs are allowing 34 ppg., including a 50-29 setback to Cave Spring. … The lone win was a 44-34 decision over Liberty. Ishmael Hairston rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns and Freddie Williams added 173 yards. Cedric Tarpley is also a big play threat. … Martinsville defeated Marion 27-0 in the Division 3 playoffs last season. … Richlands is the only Southwest District team with a winning record. The rest of the SWD squads have a combined record of 2-15.

 

Prediction: Carroll County 28, Martinsville 17

 

Lebanon at Tazewell

 

Last meeting: Lebanon 31, Tazewell 24 (Sept. 10, 2010 in Lebanon, Va.)

 

Tazewell (0-4) has been outscored by an average margin of 42-7 against four non-district foes. Last week, Giles used its deceptive single-wing attack to generate 383 yards of total offense in a 56-7 win over the Bulldogs. But Giles only led 14-7 at halftime … Junior Cody McCann is the starting quarterback for Tazewell, but freshman Malik Davis has earned playing time recently. The Bulldogs have not passed for more than 100 yards in a game this season. … Sophomore Jarred Ball is a player to watch on the Bulldog defense. … Lebanon (1-4) has been outscored by an average of 26-11. Over the past three games, the Pioneers have scored just eight points. … Running back Chris Belcher managed just 16 yards rushing on 10 carries last week against Clintwood, but Belcher was selected as homecoming king. .. Behind the arm of McCann, Tazewell opened a 24-7 lead against the Pioneers last season. Lebanon won on a 43-yard pass from John Duty to John Honaker with 23 seconds left to play.

 

Prediction: Lebanon 20, Tazewell 7

 

Bluefield (W.Va.) at Gate City

 

Last meeting: Bluefield 21, Gate City 0 (Oct. 1, 2010 in Bluefield, W.Va.)

 

After opening the season with three losses and several injuries, Gate City silenced the skeptics with its 36-0 win at Clinch Mountain District foe Lebanon two weeks ago. Relying on fundamentals, the Blue Devils rushed for 199 yards, passed for 106 and showcased an array of hitters on defense. … The stoppers for GC include 6-foot-1 senior Derick Miller, 6-foot-1 senior Seaver Elliott, senior Jay Howington (6-2, 228) and junior Keith McMurray. Sophomore Austin Reed (6-0, 264) guides the offensive line. … It will be homecoming at Legion Field tonight. … Bluefield (2-3) has lost to two strong foes in Charlotte Country Day (31-14) and Charlotte Latin. The youthful Beavers feature sophomore quarterback D.J. Edwards, 5-foot-8 sophomore Montel Leggett (539 yards rushing, nine touchdowns) and receiver Brad Fox (nine receptions). Edwards has collected over 600 yards in total offense. … Bluefield’s Levi Beckett earned 130 yards in total offense last season against GC. The only other loss for Gate City came against Richlands.

 

Prediction: Bluefield 21, Gate City 10

 

Castlewood at Grundy

 

Last meeting: N/A

 

Both teams will look to bounce back from disheartening losses. Castlewood suffered a shocking 20-13 defeat at the hands of Rye Cove, while Grundy was hammered by Haysi. … It’s fitting this game is Grundy’s homecoming since Castlewood head coach David Scammell was a former star for the Golden Wave. … Addison Rasnick has been a playmaker for Castlewood. He has scored seven touchdowns, rushed for 327 yards and supplied a team-leading 52 tackles. … Rasnick should have a field day against a Grundy defense that has struggled at times.

 

Prediction: Castlewood 32, Grundy 23

 

Lee High at Wise County Central

 

Last meeting: First meeting

 

Lee and Wise County Central both enter this game on two-game losing streaks. Both teams need a victory to help their postseason chances. … There probably will not be many passes flying through the air in this one as both teams tend to stick with the ground game. … The Central trio of Joe Burnopp, Graysen Hale and Logan Collins have combined to rush for 1,016 yards. The Lee High duo of Tyler Graham and Dylan Anders has been even more effective. … Look for Lee to leave Wise with a win. … The game will be played at Carl Smith Stadium on the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

 

Prediction: Lee High 28, Wise County Central 12

 

Virginia High at Chilhowie

 

Last meeting: Chilhowie 59, Virginia High 33 (Oct. 1, 2010 in Bristol, Va.)

 

A year after these teams were involved in an offensive display, tonight’s game should be a defensive battle. … VHS has several talented linebackers, while Chilhowie is led by 5-foot-8, 150-pound junior Brian Vance (39 solo tackles) and 6-foot, 250-pound senior Jacob Shuler (37 solo tackles). … Turnovers have been a problem for the Warriors all season, so they must improve on that sloppiness. … VHS is 0-3 against Group A teams thus far. Head coach Paul Wheeler’s team has earned wins against Group AA Abingdon and Northeast Tennessee foe Tennessee High. … In last year’s meeting, Chilhowie running back Brett Johnson scored six touchdowns. Johnson is back again this year, but he might have a little more trouble reaching the end zone against an improved VHS defense.

 

Prediction: Virginia High 16, Chilhowie 13

 

Rye Cove at Holston

 

Last meeting: N/A

 

Rye Cove has been one of the surprises in Southwest Virginia this fall. A year after finishing with a 2-8 record, head coach Tom Callaway’s team is 3-1. … The Eagles earned a 20-13 victory over Castlewood last week, a win that could be classified as an upset. … Silas Bush and Chase Rollins are the catalysts for the Cove. … Holston is breaking in a freshman quarterback (Seth Thomas) and he performed admirably two weeks ago in a win over Bland. The Cavaliers are getting better, but Rye Cove will still roll tonight.

 

Prediction: Rye Cove 33, Holston 17

 

Hurley at Thomas Walker

 

Last meeting: Thomas Walker 18, Hurley 6 (Sept. 22, 2006 in Hurley, Va.)

 

Hurley will endure one of the longest trips in Southwest Virginia tonight as they make the marathon bus trip from Buchanan County to Lee County. … Hurley is 3-1 and the Rebels have been led by the precision passing of quarterback Austin Cooper. … Thomas Walker has won two straight and the Pioneers are steadily improving. Homefield advantage will be key in this one.

 

Prediction: Thomas Walker 26, Hurley 20

 

Northwood at Bland County

 

Last meeting: Bland 21, Northwood 0 (Oct. 1, 2010 in Saltville, Va.)

 

Northwood has shown improvement under first-year head coach Mark Frye. The Panthers even led 6-0 over Smyth County rival Chilhowie last week, before suffering a 34-6 setback. … Bland County has been bad. The Bears are 0-4 and are allowing 35.5 points per game. … After four straight 1-9 seasons, a victory tonight would secure a second victory in 2011 and be big for Northwood’s confidence.

 

Prediction: Northwood 16, Bland County 8

 

Phelps (Ky.) at Twin Valley

 

Last meeting: Phelps 32, Twin Valley 20 (Sept. 17, 2010 in Phelps, Ky.)

 

Twin Valley plays its third – and final – out-of-state opponent tonight when the Hornets swarm into Buchanan County. … Twin Valley has endured three straight losses and allowed 62 points to Honaker last week. The offense can move the ball, but the defense is still suspect. … Phelps is 3-2 and should have no trouble with the Panthers.

 

Prediction: Phelps 22, Twin Valley 6