By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Radford High School Bobcats have locked down a postseason berth after last week’s win over Glenvar. A win this Friday night could also mean home field advantage throughout the entire playoffs.
Game balls, this week, go to:
Christiansburg’s Drew Lloyd, who rushed for over a 100 yards in the team’s loss to Patrick Henry.
Auburn’s Malachi Spencer scored two touchdowns in his team’s loss to Galax.
Radford defensive linemen, Ben Cox, Kip Green and Ethan Hoffman, deserve a game ball after limiting Glenvar to 95 yards of total offense Friday night.
Radford running back Jarel Baylor deserves a game ball after rushing 12 times for 69 yards against Glenvar.
Blacksburg’s Brian Mitchell rushed 19 times for 99 yards in a win over Hidden Valley. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Blacksburg QB Jake Goforth battled through an injury to complete 14 of 22 passes in Friday’s contest for 215 yards. He also rushed 13 times for 60 yards.
Blacksburg receiver Josh Gholston had one catch that mattered, going 95 yards for a touchdown.
Updated points standings: 4D- 1) Salem 29.125, 2) E.C. Glass 28.5, 3) Pulaski 27.875; 4) Halifax 26.0, 5) G.W. Danville 25.5, 6) Blacksburg 24.22, 7) Jefferson Forest 27.875, 8) Amherst 17.25;
3D- 1) Lord Botetourt 28.5, 2) Northside 26.0, 3) Hidden Valley 24.7, 4) Magna Vista 24.5, 5) Abingdon 20.5, 6) Bassett 20.333, 7) Christiansburg 20.125, 8) William Byrd 17.875.
2C- 1) Radford 23.25, 2) Appomattox 23.0, 3) Dan River 20.111, 4) Gretna 19.75, 5) Glenvar 19.125, 6) Chatham 17.0, 7) Tie Ft. Chiswell and Patrick County 16.778.
1C- 1) Tie Narrow and Galax 22.75, 3) George Wythe 21.1426, 4) Covington 16.25, 5) Auburn 15.33, 6) Grayson 13.5, 7) Parry McCluer 12.5, 8) Bath County 10.125.
This week’s games:
Carroll County (2-6) at Radford (7-1)
Last week: Carroll was idle after a loss in the previous week to James River.
Radford slipped by Glenvar 13-7.
Game plan: Carroll is still fighting a season which saw its head coach leave after just three games. Last year, the Cavaliers were 3-7 and do return seven starters on both sides of the ball. The three wins were the school’s most dating back to 2011. Jacob Motley (6-1, 190) returns as the key back in the Wing-T after playing some quarterback over the past two seasons where Brady Dalton (6-1, 196) now steps under center. The offensive line is a little inexperienced with no seniors starting, but the line does return Teague Henley (6-0, 235) and Michael Combs (6-0, 275). Sophomore Paul Restuccia (6-0, 230) adds a little size in the trenches. Because of enrollment, Carroll has dropped to Class 3 this season.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: 101.7 FM, 1460 AM.
Christiansburg (3-5) at Cave Spring (1-7)
Last week: Cave was routed 59-3 at the hands of Salem. On the season, the team has combined for only 25 points since their season opening win over Alleghany.
The Blue Demons put up 48 points and rushed for 352 yards in a shootout with Patrick Henry before losing 54-48.
Game plan: Tim Fulton is in his 15th season at Cave Spring with a 70-86 marking including 2-9 in 2018. They did make the playoffs last season but lost in the Region 3D first round. An experienced QB in Lucas Duncan (6-1, 182) returns with receivers Ethan Coates (6-2, 185) and Daniel Reeves (5-9, 138). Duncan played receiver for most of last year and has been offered a walk-on position at Virginia Tech. John Milby moves from receiver to the tailback position, along with Chris Hall. Linebacker Will Altizer (5-8, 165) leads a very small defensive unit. Jordan Akerson (6-4, 241) anchors the Cav line on both sides of the ball along with Jahiem Tyler (6-0, 290).
Last year, one of Christiansburg’s wins came over Cave Spring 13-0.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast:100.7 FM.
Auburn (4-5) at Hurley (4-4)
Last week: Hurley downed Tug Valley (Williamson, West Virginia) 22-14. Auburn fell 55-14 to Galax.
Game plan: Hurley has outscored its opponents this season 224 to 170 with two of its games coming against out-of-state (WVa.) schools. Auburn will make the long, widing trip to deep southwest. Last year, Hurley finished 3-6. Losses this season have come to Holston, Honaker and PH-Glade Spring.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None.
Parry McCluer (2-6) at Eastern Montgomery (1-8)
Last week: PM rolled over Bath County 31-8 for their second win of the season. John Snider rushed for 65 yards and three touchdowns.
Covington beat Eastern Montgomery 46-8.
Game plan: Parry McCluer is breaking in a lot of new faces in a lot of new positions including Colton Painter (6-3, 170) at quarterback. Mark Wheeler is in his third season at the PM helm and did put together a 7-5 mark last year with a share of the Pioneer District title. The team advanced to the second round of the Region 1A playoffs. PM lost its leading rusher and passer. The Blues do return one of the top placekickers in southwest Virginia in the form of Jacob Wooten who was 30 of 34 on extra points in 2018. He has a big leg and could hit some valuable field goals down the stretch. Holden Kerr (6-2, 175) provides a big target at tight end, and there is some size up front in Forrest Vassar (6-2, 265) and Trey Orren (6-3, 275). Trent Fitzgerald (6-0, 175) leads the defense from his linebacker position.
Game time: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: None
Blacksburg is idle this week.
