Friday, November 20, 2009
High school football playoffs
MATT GENTRY The Roanoke Times
Hidden Valley and running back David Williams (8) will face Christiansburg Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Region IV playoffs.
varsity.roanoke.com
Timesland on Twitter
NORTHWEST REGION DIVISION 6
Franklin County (9-2) at Battlefield (10-0)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Location: Haymarket
Coaches: Franklin County (Chris Jones), Battlefield (Mark Cox).
Playoff history: Franklin County won its first playoff game in four tries with a 37-35 last-second victory Saturday at Colonial Forge. The Eagles' other three playoff trips were from 2002-05 under Billy Miles. All of Franklin County's playoff games have been on the road. Battlefield, a five-year-old school, lost in the first-round in 2007 and 2008 in its only postseason games.
Scouting report: Franklin County TB Tae Gilbert has rushed for 1,631 yards and 22 TDs, including 210 yards and four scores last week. QB T.J. Shaw (51 of 107 for 931 yards) likes to throw to Thad Basham (23 catches, 472 yards, 6 TDs). Battlefield QB Bo Revell (84 for 146, 1,190 yards, 16 TDs) is the son of former UVa linebacker Bill Revell. Other threats are RB Nagee Jackson (184 carries, 1,001 yards, 16 TDs), WR James Robinson (22 for 357 yards, 3 TDs) and Jeff Beathard (24 for 342, 3 TDs).
Fast facts: Battlefield coach Mark Cox is a former starting quarterback at Virginia Tech. Beathard is the grandson of former Washington Redskins GM Bobby Beathard. Shaw is the son of former Roanoke Steam coach Pete Shaw.
Prediction: Colonial Forge 34, Franklin County 20.
REGION IV DIVISION 4
Magna Vista (7-4) at Salem (10-0)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Salem Stadium
Coaches: Magna Vista (Joe Favero), Salem (Stephen Magenbauer).
Playoff history: Magna Vista has made 14 playoff appearances since the school opened in 1988 including eight straight from 1999-2006. The Warriors won Region IV titles in 2000, 2002 and 2003, eventually forfeiting the 2002 crown. Salem is making its 22nd playoff trip. The Spartans have won six Division 4 state titles and 12 regional crowns including one in Group AAA.
Scouting report: Magna Vista QB Harvey Taylor has passed for 1,165 yards and run for another 1,073, accounting for 21 total TDs. RB T.C. Carter (838 yards) averages 5.6 per carry. Tyler Davis and Trevor Kellam each have 29 catches. Salem averages 184 yards rushing, led by RB Daniel Dyer (96 carries, 644 yards). FB Adam Collie has scored 13 TDs. QB Adam McGarrell (69 for 122, 1,342 yards) has 12 TDs and just three interceptions. WR Stephen Barnette (35 catches, 749 yards), is averaging more than 20 yards per catch. Salem posted four shutouts at home this year, five overall.
Fast facts: Magna Vista was 0-10 in 2007 and 2008 and broke a 21-game losing streak this year. Salem defeated the Warriors 43-0 in a Division 4 semifinal en route to the state title in 2000. Magenbauer's record at Salem is 69-6.
Prediction: Salem 41, Magna Vista 13.
Christiansburg (8-3) at Hidden Valley (8-2)
Kickoff: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Location: Dwight Bogle Stadium
Coaches: Christiansburg (Tim Cromer), Hidden Valley (Scott Weaver).
Playoff history: Christiansburg is in the playoffs for the 12th time and the first since a four-year string from 2003-06. The Blue Demons' lone regional title was a Region IV Division 4 crown in 1988. Hidden Valley is in the playoffs for the third time since the school opened in 2002. The Titans reached the Division 3 state semifinals in 2006, losing at home to Richlands 44-14.
Scouting report: Christiansburg's Greg Lee, Zach Snell and Ryan Fisher combined for 2,010 yards rushing and 22 TDs. Sophomore QB Brenden Motley got his first start against Hidden Valley, while star LB Zach Weller sat out with an injury. Hidden Valley RB David Williams set a Timesland regular-season rushing record with 2,449 yards on 314 carries. Williams, who had 278 yards in the first game against Christiansburg, needs 362 yards to break Lee Suggs' Timesland mark of 2,810.
Fast facts: Hidden Valley's first game in school history was a 32-14 loss at Christiansburg in 2002. The Titans lead the overall series against the Blue Demons 6-3 after holding them to 50 yards rushing in a 28-21 win in Christiansburg on Oct. 16
Prediction: Hidden Valley 21, Christiansburg 17.
REGION III DIVISION 3
R.E. Lee-Staunton (8-3) at Liberty (9-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Location: Bedford
Coaches: R.E. Lee-Staunton (David Tibbs), Liberty (Chris Watts).
Playoff history: Lee is making its fifth straight playoff appearance under Tibbs, a former Northside assistant. The Fighting Leemen are in the playoffs for the 12th time, winning Region II titles in 1977 and 1980. Liberty is in the playoffs for the 10th time, nine trips coming since 2000. The Minutemen won the 2002 Division 3 state title and the Region III Division 3 title in 2006.
Scouting report: R.E. Lee QB Devante White is the trigger man, passing for 1,788 yards and 21 TDs while rushing for 908 yards and 11 TDs. WR Chris Williams (27 catches, 435 yards, 4 TDs) and RB Kevin Davis (501 yards, 6 TDs) are top threats. Liberty features RB Malcolm McCoy (578 yards, 14 TDs), QB Tyler Bowyer (50 attempts, 656 passing yards, 543 rushing yards) and WR Anthony Reynolds (16 catches, 8 total TDs). Liberty DL Brandon Sparrow is one of Timesland's best.
Fast facts: Lee has regained the services of injured RB Mark Anderson, who was hurt on the third play of the season. Reynolds has five TDs on interceptions and kick returns. Liberty's only loss was 49-20 to Amherst County.
Prediction: Liberty 40, R.E. Lee-Staunton 28.
Brookville (9-2) at Northside (8-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Roanoke
Coaches: Brookville (Jeff Woody), Northside (Burt Torrence).
Playoff history: Brookville is in the playoffs for the 20th time. The Bees won the Division 3 state title in 1999 and have been in three other state finals including last year's 50-46 loss to James Monroe. Northside is making back-to-back playoff appearances for just the second time in school history. The Vikings' lone regional title was in the Group AAA Northwest Region in 1980.
Scouting report: Brookville starts freshman QB Kendall Becraft, who passed for just 262 yards in the regular season but led the Bees from a 16-6 fourth-quarter deficit to win 19-16 last week over Alleghany. RB Deshon Foxx sometimes takes direct snaps. WR Alec Thompson will command much of Northside's attention. Northside RB Philip Scott set a single-season school rushing record (1,720 yards, 20 TDs) after skipping last season. LB Nick Sigmon (88 solo tackles) has committed to Liberty.
Fast facts: Brookville held Northside to just two first downs in a 38-0 regional semifinal romp last year in Lynchburg. Brookville lineman Zack McCray has committed to Virginia Tech. Northside has four postseason victories in school history.
Prediction: Northside 27, Brookville 21.
REGION IV DIVISION 3
Graham (5-6) at Cave Spring (8-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Dwight Bogle Stadium
Coaches: Graham (Doug Marrs), Cave Spring (Tim Fulton).
Playoff history: Graham is in the Region IV Division 3 playoffs for a staggering 20th time in the last 21 years. The G-Men have won seven regional titles with one state runner-up finish and state crowns in 1989 and 1995. Cave Spring is in the playoffs for the eighth time. The Knights made it five times in Group AAA. Their only postseason wins have come in 1978 and in their last trip in 2005.
Scouting report: Graham QB David Marrs (75 for 146, 1,077 yards, 12 TDs) also leads the team in rushing (847 yards, 11 TDs). RB Tanner Howell (795 yards, 7 TDs) and WR Torren Byrd (36 catches, 575 yards, 6 TDs) are top threats. Cave Spring QB Josh Woodrum has passed for 1,575 yards and nine TDs in the spread. RBs Michael Cole (524 yards, 12 TDs) and Sam Wright (671 yards, 6 TDs) split the carries along with Woodrum. TE Erik Jacobsen and WR Quentin Dill have combined for 62 catches.
Fast facts: Graham started the season with six straight losses including a 55-12 blowout at home against Cave Spring. Both schools have artificial turf on their home fields and both share their facility with neighboring rivals.
Prediction: Cave Spring 34, Graham 14.
Marion (8-3) at Richlands (9-1)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Richlands
Coaches: Marion (Mike Briscoe), Richlands (Greg Mance).
Playoff history: Richlands has made the playoffs nine years in a row, the first four in Division 4 where they won the title in 1992. The Blue Tornadoes have a 14-4 playoff record in the last five years, winning the Division 3 state title in 2006. Marion, which defeated Grundy last week, is making its sixth postseason trip with a Region IV Division 4 crown in 2001.
Scouting report: Marion RB Brett Johnson gained 1,076 yards with 14 TDs on 111 carries. Eric Bane (9 TDs) and Matt Noe (8 TDs) aid the ground-oriented offense. LB Mickey Holman has 10 tackles for loss. DB Garrett Johnson picked off four passes. Richlands QB Cody Johnson threw 12 times per game for 991 yards and 10 TDs. He ran for 558 yards and 12 TDs. RB Devon Johnson (1,006 yards, 13 TDs) and WRs Bradley Strong (21 catches) and Austin Johnson (507 yards) are the top targets.
Fast facts: Marion's three losses came in succession to Southwest District opponents Richlands, Carroll County and Tazewell. Mance is a Giles native who is a former Virginia Tech baseball player.
Prediction: Richlands 28, Marion 7.
REGION C DIVISION 2
Radford (8-3) at George Wythe (7-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Wytheville
Coaches: Radford (Matthew Saunders), George Wythe (H.S. Ingo).
Playoff history: Radford is making its 18th postseason trip and its first since 2003 when the Bobcats won the last of their six region titles. Radford won back-to-back Group AA titles in 1971-72. George Wythe is in for the 12th time and third in a row. The Maroons won the 2002 Division 2 state title and were the Group AA runner-up to Courtland in 1983.
Scouting report: Radford has won seven straight games after a 1-3 start including two victories over Giles. RB Kevin Adkins (620 yards, 12 TDs), WB D.J. Palmer (33 catches, 358 yards, 10 total TDs) and QB Dontae Carter (933 passing yards, 9 TDs) lead the offense. Wythe's Brandon Atwell (1,253 rushing yards, 19 receptions, 21 total TDs, two FGs, 39.4 punting average, three defensive INTs) does it all for Wythe. The Maroons feature one of the area's top two-way lineman in Drew Lester.
Fast facts: Radford led 19-7 at halftime in the regular season before Wythe's Randy Divers blocked a 35-yard FG in the waning seconds to preserve a 21-19 win. Both schools are ex-members of the Group AA New River District
Prediction: Radford 17, George Wythe 14.
Fort Chiswell (10-1) at Chilhowie (7-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Chilhowie
Coaches: Fort Chiswell (Stephen James), Chilhowie (Larry Russell).
Playoff history: Fort Chiswell's 38-14 win last week over James River was its first playoff game since 1990. The Pioneers won the regional title in 1989 under John Wayne Martin. Chilhowie is making its 16th trip but its last Region C title came in 1975. The Warriors won the first Group A championship ever contested in 1970.
Scouting report: Fort Chiswell has one of the better 1-2 punches in Group A football at running back in seniors Chris Rodriguez (1,887 yards, 27 TDs) and Hody Viars, who is the Pioneers' defensive leader with 85 solo tackles, 14 for loss. Chilhowie has a balanced attack with QB Cody McMahan (760 yards passing, 6 TD passes, 7 TD runs) and RBs Aaron Conley (732 yards, 12 TDs). Daniel Ashby and Brett Joines combined for 143 solo tackles. Rhett Sturgill has five interceptions.
Fast facts: Fort Chiswell averages 33.3 points per game despite a 6-0 homecoming loss to Chilhowie. Russell is Chilhowie's all-time leader in career victories and once held George Wythe's career record.
Prediction: Fort Chiswell 19, Chilhowie 7.
REGION C DIVISION 1
Rural Retreat (4-7) at Holston (9-1)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Damascus.
Coaches: Quinton Hensley (Rural Retreat), Holston (Jason Matlock).
Playoff history: Rural Retreat has won seven Region C Division 1 titles including three straight from 2004-06 but is 0-7 in state semifinals. The Indians are in the playoffs for the 16th time since 1986. Holston is in for the second straight year but just the seventh time in school history. The Cavaliers won their only regional title last year.
Scouting report: Rural Retreat QB Zayne Williams finished strong and has 1,096 yards and 10 TDs, but has thrown 18 interceptions. RB Tyler Caudill (558 yards) and WR Travis Foster (36 catches, 760 yards, 5 TDs) also lead the Indians. Holston features QB John Pratt (56 of 99, 1,079 yards, 14 TDs, three INTs) and RB Jeffrey Bramlett (1,162 yards, 8 TDs). Pratt also has run for 623 yards and 13 TDs, while Cody Blevins has 10 TDs. LB Jordan Blevins is Holston's top defender.
Fast facts: Rural Retreat defeated Holston 32-29 in a first-round playoff game in 1987. Holston defeated Eastern Montgomery and Bath County to win last year's regional title.
Prediction: Holston 34, Rural Retreat 21.
Bath County (7-4) at Eastern Montgomery (8-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Elliston.
Coaches: Bath County (Will Fields), Eastern Montgomery (Mark Poston).
Playoff history: Bath County has won eight Division 1 titles in Region C and has missed the playoffs just once since 2000. The Chargers won state titles in 1995 and 2001. Eastern Montgomery -- formerly known as Shawsville High -- is winless in four previous playoff trips. Shawsville also had a Region C berth in 1977.
Scouting report: Bath QB Michael Robertson (1,174 passing yards, 12 TDs; 517 rushing yards, 6 TDs) keys the offense along with Dillon Fry (28 catches, 615 yards; 348 rushing yards) and RB Dana Richmond (60 carries, 553 yards). East Mont's record-setting QB Shawn Christian has 1,932 passing yards, 27 TD passes and 10 TD runs. WR Brad Wooten (50 catches, 624 yards), WR Julian Stewart (33 catches, 620 yards) and RB Michael Shelor (872 yards rushing, 15 TDs) rack up big numbers.
Fast facts: Bath County led the first game 14-13 in the first half before East Mont rolled to a 53-27 victory. The Mustangs intercepted Robertson four times.
Prediction: Eastern Montgomery 38, Bath County 22.
-- Robert Anderson
