Friday, November 21, 2008
High school football playoffs matchups
REGION IV DIVISION 4
SALEM (9-2) at PULASKI COUNTY (11-0)
Kickoff: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Salem, Stephen Magenbauer; Pulaski County, Jack Turner
Points scored per game: Salem, 24.2; Pulaski County, 34.6
Points allowed per game: Salem, 12.8; Pulaski County, 10.5
Last week: Salem defeated Bassett at home, 41-0; Pulaski County defeated Blacksburg at home, 42-0.
Playoff history: Salem ranks No. 2 among Timesland schools with 21 playoff appearances and the Spartans have won six state titles as a Group AA school, most recently back-to-back in 2004-05 under Magenbauer. Pulaski County has been to the playoffs 20 times with a Group AAA Division 6 title in 1992. The Cougars have been a state runner-up twice. Last week's win was the Cougars' first postseason victory since 2001. Salem is 2-1 in playoff games against Pulaski including a 17-7 win last year in the first round.
Scouting report: This is a rematch of the game in Dublin two weeks ago that Pulaski won 34-24 after trailing 17-7 at halftime. Salem ran the ball 32 times for just 97 yards in that game and passed 30 times. Look for RBs Kirk Coles (115 carries, 687 yards) and Antonio Medley (137-463) to try to get outside. Pulaski figures to counter Salem's passing game by using Nubian Peak on defense. Peak intercepted two passes last week against Blacksburg and could shadow WR Donte Harvey, who had nine catches for 104 yards the first time. Peak leads Pulaski's running attack with 1,227 yards and 20 TDs.
Prediction: Pulaski County 27, Salem 24.
REGION III DIVISION 4
JEFFERSON FOREST (9-3) at AMHERST COUNTY (11-0)
Kickoff: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Jefferson Forest, Don Rice; Amherst County, Cecil Phillips.
Points scored per game: Jefferson Forest, 24.5; Amherst County, 38.2
Points allowed per game: Jefferson Forest, 13.3; Amherst County, 10.5
Last week: Jefferson Forest defeated Turner Ashby on the road, 22-21, OT; Amherst County defeated Harrisonburg at home, 28-21.
Playoff history: Jefferson Forest is making its 12th trip to the playoffs. The Cavaliers won Group AA Division 3 titles in 1992-93 and were the Group AA runner-up in 1979 and the Division 3 runner-up in 1991. JF's last region title was in 1998. Amherst County is the two-time defending Group AA Division 4 champ. The Lancers also won the Group AAA Division 5 title in 1995 and have been a state runner-up twice. The two Seminole District rivals are facing each other in the playoffs for the first time.
Scouting report: Jefferson Forest is making its second trip to Amherst this season, losing 35-6 in a Seminole District game in October. The Cavaliers' three losses this year have been to Amherst, Pulaski County and Brookville -- teams with a combined record of 32-1. However, JF scored just 19 points combined and needs to give Desmond Goode (1,446 yards) some running room. Phillips, a former Radford assistant, got off to a rocky start with an opening loss to Brookville, but the Lancers have been dominant since. Anthony Rose (677 yards), Mario Vaughan (663 yards), Jamar Glover (513 yards) and Jamal Glover (500 yards), lead a balanced wing-T running game.
Prediction: Amherst Co. 28, Jefferson Forest 10.
REGION C DIVISION 2
CHILHOWIE (10-1) at FLOYD COUNTY (11-0)
Kickoff: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Chilhowie, Larry Russell; Floyd County, Winfred Beale.
Points scored per game: Chilhowie, 33.9; Floyd County, 31.4
Points allowed per game: Chilhowie, 12.5; Floyd County, 15.7
Last week: Chilhowie defeated Giles at home, 35-17; Floyd County defeated George Wythe at home, 15-14.
Playoff history: Chilhowie won the first VHSL Group A title in 1970 and made 10 of its 15 playoff trips in the '70s and '80s. The Warriors lost to Floyd County 17-14 in the 2001 regional final. Chilhowie's last regional championship was in 1975. Floyd County is in the playoffs for the 10th time. The Buffaloes were Group A runners-up in 1999 and 2001 under Beale and have won two regional titles. Floyd lost to Giles last season in a first-round game and before last week and not won in the postseason since 2002.
Scouting report: Chilhowie was the top scoring team in Region C this year, led by physical RB Alex Russell with 1,177 yards and 18 TDs on 154 carries. Curtis "Tuff" Williams has 491 yards and 18 total TDs and also leads the Warriors with 22 catches for 540 yards. Russell is also Chilhowie's leading tackler. Floyd QB Luke Harris has 1,791 yards passing and 893 rushing this year, accounting for 25 total TDs. He has completed 61 percent of his throws. WR Brett Holman has 46 catches for 694 yards and 11 TDs. Zach Bonham has added 717 yards rushing. The Buffaloes have topped the 4,000-yard mark for the year in total offense
Prediction: Floyd County 22, Chilhowie 20.
REGION C DIVISION 1
BATH COUNTY (8-3) at HOLSTON (9-2)
Kickoff: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Bath County, Will Fields; Holston, Jason Matlock.
Points scored per game: Bath County, 25.2; Holston, 29.3
Points allowed per game: Bath County, 16.5; Holston, 14.3
Last week: Bath County defeated Bland County on the road, 17-13; Holston defeated Eastern Montgomery at home, 13-12.
Playoff history: Bath County has an impressive 24-11 all-time playoff record with eight Region C titles and Group A Division 1 crowns in 1995 and 2001. The Chargers were the state runner-up in 2000 and 2003. Holston -- located in Damascus -- is making its seventh playoff appearance. The Cavaliers picked up their first postseason win since 1984 last week. Holston's last two playoff trips have ended with losses to Bath; 27-20 last year at home and 27-6 in 1995 in Hot Springs, where snow covered the Chargers field this week.
Scouting report: It should be Bath's edge in size vs. Holston's edge in speed. Versatile Jim King leads Bath, the Pioneer District champs. He's snagged 29 passes for 555 yards and has kicked nine field goals including a 37-yarder last week. King also has completed 2-of-2 passes for 51 yards. J.P. Plecker leads the Chargers with 641 rushing yards. QB Michael Robertson has passed for 949 and rushed for 520. Holston's Eric Mefford has run for 1,460 yards, including 102 on 14 carries last week against EastMont. Holston started the season with seven straight wins before losing to Hogoheegee District rivals George Wythe and Chilhowie.
Prediction: Holston 27, Bath County 23.




