By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Radford High School completed one the biggest turnarounds in high school football this season. The Bobcats finished 2-8 in 2017, then 12-2 this past fall concluding with a loss in the state semi-finals.
One of the reasons for the complete about-face was 6-foot-5-inch, 275-pound offensive lineman Ben Cox.
His coach, Matthew Saunders, calls him athletic with great feet and aggressive in his play.
“We moved him around a lot (this season) to block the other team’s best lineman, and he set the tone for us.”
Radford steamrolled their way into the playoffs and picked up wins over Ft. Chiswell (22-0), Gretna (20-7) and then Appomattox (28-25) in the region C championship. They would then fall 57-13 to Graham in as state semi-final game. Looking back, Cox swells with pride in what the Bobcats were able to accomplish.
“It was a great team effort,” said Cox. “Everyone really pulled together and we became united in our goal. Our theme for the year was “Because we’re tough.” That really inspired our team.”
HIs coach described him as an excellent player who continues to catch the attention of those at the next level.
“He (Cox) has great character and leadership qualities,” Saunders said.
Cox was first-team All-Three Rivers District, first-team All-Region C, second-team all-state and was named to this year’s all-county/all-city team.
His recruitment is starting to gather some steam. Already, he has received offers from Marshall (his first offer last month), Furman, William and Mary, Richmond, Georgia State and Arkansas State. He is expecting to receive offers from ACC schools. One in particular has a direct connection to the Radford neighborhood.
Former Radford assistant coach and player Wayne Lineburg is now at Wake Forest and probably knows the Cox family phone number by heart. But so far, he has not made an offer to the junior lineman.
He is staying grounded, but admits it feels good to receive the attention.
“My goal has always been to play football in college…I would really like to play football at a top academic school,” Cox said earlier this week.
Cox started playing football in the fourth grade and had plenty of support and examples to look up to. His brother, Nathan (6-foot-3, 310 pounds), is a member of the Washington and Lee football program.
Meanwhile his father, Ken, played at the University of North Carolina in the early 90s under then- and now-again coach Mack Brown.
“He (my father) knows what it takes to play at the next level,” the current Radford lineman said.
Cox has also participated in several Virginia Tech football camps and plans to again visit the campus later this year on a possible official visit.
Cox has also excelled in the classroom. He is currently number one in his class with a 4.06 grade point average.
The long-term goal could also include a career in the medical field. For now, he has at least another year to make either of those decisions. He and his family plan to take some recruiting visits over the next 10 months.
