Richlands/Tazewell BHC article

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http://www.tricities.com/sports/article_8d89baf6-24a7-11e2-ad92-001a4bcf6878.html

 

PREP FOOTBALL: Tazewell win streak adds spice to SWD game at Richlands

Southwest District Showdown

Tazewell (2-7, 2-1) at Richlands (8-1, 3-0)

 

Saturday afternoon at 1:30

 

.Posted: Friday, November 2, 2012 1:45 am | Updated: 12:44 am, Fri Nov 2, 2012.

 

PREP FOOTBALL: Tazewell win streak adds spice to SWD game at Richlands Allen Gregory | Bristol Herald Courier TriCities.com

 

Posted on November 2, 2012

by Allen Gregory

RICHLANDS, Va. – The Tazewell football team has created a stir around the Southwest District the past two weeks.

 

After enduring an 18-game losing streak, the Bulldogs have posted back-to-back wins over Carroll County and Abingdon.

 

Richlands coach Greg Mance isn’t shocked by the sudden turnaround of his Tazewell County rival.

 

“No, not really,†Mance said. “Tazewell has always had good athletes. They just seem to shoot themselves in the foot and kind of go south after a couple of losses.â€

 

After the emotional 27-26 victory over Carroll County, the Bulldogs crafted a 20-point fourth-quarter rally en route to a 27-10 victory over Abingdon last week behind first-year coach Shane Allen.

 

“Both of those games were come-from-behind wins. That says a lot about Coach Allen and the way those kids are playing,†Mance

 

Richlands, the eight-time defending Southwest District champion, has been handicapped by an assortment of injuries. While Richlands has not racked up the eye-popping offensive stats of recent seasons, the Blue Tornado has posted five straight wins entering the latest showdown against Tazewell.

 

It was announced Thursday that the game will be played on Saturday afternoon at 1:30. Richlands officials made the switch from Friday due to the large snowfall in Tazewell County earlier this week

 

“Our kids like the Friday night routine, but it’s still going to be a crazy atmosphere Saturday,†Mance said. “When I first got this job, it was made clear to me that I would not be head coach here long if I didn’t beat Tazewell.â€

 

In addition to the close proximity between schools, the Tazewell-Richlands rivalry has some extra spice.

 

“I don’t think the communities like each other,†Mance said. “This series has great bragging rights. And the parents and community members put a lot of pressure on the players.â€

 

Given the simmering emotions, Mance actually tries to downplay the emotions during Tazewell week while stressing some football maxims.

 

“We just tell the players to stay focused, concentrate on reading their keys and carry out their assignments,†Mance said.

 

Both schools were forced to cancel practice Monday due to the harsh weather. Richlands practiced in the gym Tuesday, as snow accumulated around Ernie Hicks Stadium.

 

“We got an inch or two of snow Monday, and by Wednesday we had 8-10 inches of snow in the bleachers,†Mance said. “But we made the best of it. The kids had a blast throwing the ball around in the gym on Tuesday.â€

 

The only loss for Richlands came on Sept. 14 at Pulaski County. With leading rusher Colton Staten nursing a hip pointer, the Blues dropped a 28-17 decision to the quicker Cougars. That snapped the 32-game regular-season win streak for the Blues.

 

Gray Baker, who passed for 354 yards against Pulaski, was sidelined for the season with a knee injury following the Oct 5 win over Marion. Two-way standout Michael Horton suffered a torn meniscus to his knee while returning an interception for a touchdown against Abingdon two weeks ago.

 

“We needed that off week,†Mance said. “Colton has been getting a little healthier each week. We held Michael out of practice last week, but we got him a brace and he’s coming around.â€

 

Horton has divided his time between linebacker and rover on defense. On offense, he’s used at fullback, receiver, tight end and quarterback.

 

“Michael is one of those throwback kids,†Mance said. “He has exceptional mental toughness and just loves contact.â€

 

The Richlands injury list has also included Ben Brown. A versatile junior who excelled in Punt, Pass and Kick competitions as a youth, Brown has been hampered by problems to his knee and lower back.

 

“Ben is just now starting to get healthy,†Mance said. “He’s been making some really nice throws in practice. We need Ben running the ball, so the defense can’t key on Colton.â€

 

Staten has rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. With the Abingdon defense keying on Staten, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Horton dominated the second half as the Blues posted a 35-6 win.

 

“Colton has had a solid year for us,†Mance said. “A lot of his yards have come after contact, and that’s the measure of a good running back.â€

 

Mance has spent much of the past week studying Tazewell on film. From junior running back Jacob McReynolds and 6-foot-2 senior quarterback Cody McCann to 6-foot-1 defensive headbanger Guye Turner, the Richlands coach saw many warning signs.

 

“It starts with a veteran offensive line for Tazewell,†Mance said. “McReynolds is an elusive runner who runs hard on every play, McCann has been running the offense for three years, and they have two athletic receivers [Jalen Jordan and Jessee Mountain] who can go up and get the ball.â€

 

Mance credits Allen, the longtime defensive coordinator at Carroll County, for establishing the right of mix of motivation and execution in Bulldog land.

 

“[Tazewell] has a great mix and Shane has been able to put it all together,†Mance said. “I knew Shane would do well there if they let him keep the job.â€

 

While Richlands will be favored to continue its dominance over the Bulldogs, Mance is remaining cautious.

 

“We have to mix things up on offense and execute our game plan,†Mance said. “This is a big game for both programs.â€