Blacksburg’s Drew Babcock is tackled by Glenvar’s Bradey Loder after making a short reception from Grant Johnston in Friday’s scrimmage. Blacksburg opens the season at Giles on Friday night.
The state’s defending 3A champion, Blacksburg, will open the season in Pearisburg against perennial 2A power Giles. Of course, there will be no repeat for Blacksburg in 3A as they move up a classification this season.
Auburn’s Adam Chapman chases down the Radford quarterback during Friday’s scrimmage with the Bobcats.
Christiansburg begins the Alex Wilkens era with a trip to the new coach’s alma mater, Floyd County. Auburn, who now joins the Mt. Empire District, will face new Pioneer member, Narrows, and Radford will play host to 1A powerhouse George Wythe. Radford also plays their first game in a new classification. The Bobcats move up from 1A to 2A. Eastern Montgomery travels to deep southwest to play Holston.
Christiansburg at Floyd
Game time: 7 p.m.
Coach: Alex Wilkins.
Record at the school: 0-0
Last season: 1-9.
Christiansburg notes: The Blue Demons are 6-0 in the overall matchup against Floyd. The last being in 2012 when Christiansburg won 35-21. QB Nic Cook (5-9, 180) is back after throwing 50 of 126 for seven TDs, seven interceptions and 628 yards. Cook also rushed for 502 yards. Charles Nwaihese (5-10, 190) will be the workhouse out of the back field. Last week in a scrimmage against Carroll County, Nwaihese rushed 27 times for 170 yards. Cook was two of seven through the air for a T.D. and 36 yards in that scrimmage. Kyle Hendricks (5-7, 162) also returns to carry the ball for the Blue Demons.
Christiansburg boasts nine players over 200 pounds including Senior Xavier Wright (6-0, 242) who will be depended on for play on both sides of the ball.
Next week: Christiansburg hosts Giles.
Broadcast: 101.7 FM.
Auburn at Narrows
Game time: 7 p.m.
Coach: Cam Akers is in his second year after returning to Auburn from Floyd County. He also has served as assistant at Auburn and formerly at Pulaski.
Record at the school: 3-7
Last season: 3-7
Auburn notes: The Eagles have gone 23-22 in the past four years after being winless from 2010 to 2012.
Tailback Triston Perry (Jr., 5-8, 158) returns after 105 carries for 679 total yards. Last week in a scrimmage with Radford, Perry played QB. Hunter Keith (6-4, 177) is the team’s leading receiver after catching four passes for 89 yards. Auburn does have nine players over 200 pounds including Hunter Carden (6-3, 295). The roster carries 13 sophomores and 12 freshmen with many of those youngsters having to mature quickly. Six seniors will provide the leadership for the team.
Matchup: Narrows lead the series 4-7, dating back to 2004 with a 39-35 win last season by the Green Wave.
Next week: Auburn at Craig County.
Broadcast: None.
Blacksburg at Giles
Game time: 7 p.m.
Coach: Thad Wells
Record at the school: 16-10
Last year: 10-5
Blacksburg notes: Blacksburg fell to 2-4 before a change in personnel led to a state title ride that ended with a win over Staunton River. Cole Beck returns at running back after putting up 2,000 yards last year. He will team with speedster Tiquest Terry (5-9, 165) and QB Grant Johnston (6-5, 200). Depth could be a challenge as the overall roster number only shows 30 total players. Beck also proved he is one of the fastest football players in the state by winning both the 100 and 200 meters in the 3A outdoor meet. His time placed him in the top 10 for both events in the entire country. He then showed that speed in a national meet over the summer, placing second in the NBON 100-meter dash final with a time of 10.41.
Matchup: Historically Giles leads the series 4-9. Last year, the Spartans won 35-28.
Next week: hosts Lord Botetrout.
Broadcast: 105.3 FM.
George Wythe at Radford
Game time: 7 p.m.
Coach: Matthew Saunders
Record at the school: 69-50.
Last year: 5-6
Radford notes: Radford has 12 players over 200 pounds this season with senior Nathan Cox (6-3, 310) returning to anchor an experienced offensive line. Justice Marshall (5-8, 160) is back after an incredible freshman year that included 85 tackles and three interceptions. Trace Shepherd is expected to be under center after seeing time in 2016. Dale Stanley returns in the backfield after rushing for 197 yards on 52 carries last season.
Matchup: Radford has fallen behind 7-10 in this series with 56-0 loss to the Maroons last season.
Next: at Galax.
Broadcast: 101.7 FM.
Eastern Montgomery at Holston
Game time: 7 p.m.
Coach: Jordan Stewart
Record at the school: 4-26
Last season: 1-9.
Eastern Montgomery notes: The Mustangs join a new district in the form of the Pioneer with schools that are of similar enrollment. The school won a state title in 2010 but has slipped for the past six years. The team returns 14 starters including tailback Devin Owens who rushed for 267 yards and three TDs last season. On defense, Trevor Brown (5-7, 216) is back after recording 97 tackles including 54 solos.
Matchup: Eastern Montgomery and Holston have never played each other.
Next week: at Hurley.
Broadcast: None.
–Staff reports
