Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Blacksburg, Auburn and Eastern Montgomery all have road games this week, while Radford and Christiansburg have home field advantage when the lights come on Friday night.
Game previews:
Blacksburg (2-0) at Amherst (0-2)
Last week for Blacksburg: the Bruins downed Lord Botetourt 45-25 as Tiquest Terry and Bryan Mitchell each scored twice. Quarterback Grant Johnston added three TDs through the air. The Bruin defense gave up 176 yards on the ground to Botetourt’s Evan Eller.
Last week for Amherst: it fell 56-7 to G.W. Danville.
Broadcast: None.
Liberty (1-0) at Christiansburg (1-1)
Last week for Liberty: the team didn’t play but beat Franklin County 34-14 the week before. Defensive back John Gass took an interception back 60 yards for the first score. Aladdin Elroumy went 7-12 for 156 yards and a touchdown through the air and also added a rushing touchdown. Ramon Ridley caught four passes for 96 yards and a score and Tre Saunders rushed for two touchdowns.
Last week for Christiansburg: The Blue Demons lost 33-14 to Giles. MJ Hunter was nine of 17 for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Henley was on the receiving end of both scores and finished
Scouting report on Liberty: Chris Watt is in his 17th season with a 110-74 record. The team finished 2-9 last season including a win over Christiansburg (27-13). The team lost in the Region 3C first round playoffs. Liberty returns 15 starters despite losing a lot of players to transfer. The Minutemen do have to replace running back Tyler Carson who rushed for 1,227 yards last season. Elroumy transitions to QB, while Schaeffer moves from QB to tailback. Up front, the team returns Eric Simbana (5’11, 280), Brandon Ruff (6’6, 260) and Mac Grassano (6’0, 230). Tight end Roman Ridley (6’3, 210) provides Elroumy a major target in the flats.
Broadcast: 100.7 FM.
Eastern Montgomery (1-1) at Roanoke Catholic (2-0)
Last week for Eastern Montgomery: The mustangs beat Hurley 14-12 when Justin Tyree caught a seven yard pass from QB Dylan Owens with 38 seconds remaining. The Mustangs then scored a two-point conversion for their first win of the season.
Last week for Roanoke Catholic: the private school downed Fishburne Military 62-8.
Scouting report on Roanoke Catholic: Bob Price is in 16th season with a 102-53 record including last season’s 11-0 mark with a state Div. III Independent state championship. Returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and is bidding for their third consecutive state title. James Carpenter (6’3, 268) is one of the top defensive linemen in the state. Runningback Kawuan Ray (6’1, 183, soph.) averaged 149 yards per carry as a freshman. Elamin Shareef (5’9, 160, soph.) will also carry the ball after transferring from William Byrd. The team also has some size on the offensive line with James Carpenter (6-3, 268), Alex Vaught (6’6, 220) and Colin Hagy (6’3, 333).
Broadcast: None.
Ft. Chiswell (1-1) at Radford (1-1)
Last week for Ft. Chiswell: It lost to George Wythe 6-2 in a defensive struggle.
Last week for Radford: the Bobcats lost to Galax 41-21. QB Zane Rupe continued his early season hot pace with a 10 of 22 135 yards, one touchdown game. Justice Marshall had six carries for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Scouting report on Ft. Chiswell: Josh Wingate takes over the Pioneers with less than a month left before their first game. The Fort was 7-4 last year, losing in the Region 2C first round to Giles (35-13). Returns eight starters on offense. Linebacker Aaron Crawford (6’2, 220) returns after leading the team lasts season with 67 tackles. Cornerback Logan Newman (6’0, 200) returns after nabbing four interceptions.
The offensive line does have some size in Denver Brown (6’0, 230), Billy Shrewsberry (6’1, 250) and John Gregory (5’11, 250). Tyler Jakubiak (5’11, 220) will be the workhorse for the Pioneers out of the backfield.
Broadcast: 101.7 FM.
Auburn (1-1) at Floyd (1-1)
Last week for Auburn: the Eagles shutout Craig County 49-0. Payson Kelley had five touchdowns and nine carries for 143 yards. The defense held Craig to 20 yards of total offense
Last week for Floyd: It beat Patrick County 27-7. Presley Yates carried 17 times for 106 yards, and Hunter Adkins ran for three touchdowns.
Scouting report on Floyd: the Buffaloes finished 9-3 last season after beating Christiansburg 18-0 in 2017 opener for both teams. Knocked out of the state playoffs after losing 24-0 to Gretna.
Interesting note: Beale is one the top three active winningest coaches in the state. This will be his 28th year on the sidelines with no announcement on retirement
Broadcast: None.
