2013 Hogoheegee District football preview capsule

CHILHOWIE

Coach: Jeff Robinson (first season)

Last season: 4-7, 3-2 (lost in Division 2 West Section first round)

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: OT-DE Derrick Boardwine (6-5, 225, sr.), OT-DT Jared Johnson (6-4, 285, jr.), TB-PK Justin Jones (5-10, 195, sr.), QB-DB Tyler Pierce (5-9, 165, sr.), WR-FS Hunter Delp (6-2, 170, jr.), TB-FL Buddy Brooks (6-2, 205, sr.), FL-OLB Allen Peake (6-0, 170, sr.). FB-MLB J.C. Pruitt (5-7, 175, sr.), TE-DE Tyler Price (6-2, 260, jr.), FL-LB Austin Millsaps (5-9, 165, jr.).

2012 summary: The Warriors won their last two regular season games - Game 10 a 31-30 thriller at Holston - to squeak into the Division 1 playoffs in head coach Larry Russell's farewell season, The trail ended with a 49-15 opening round thumping at Galax. Chilhowie had its moments, one being a one-point early season win over D3 playoff qualifier Abingdon. Consistency remained elusive. The Warriors lost four of their last six games.

Outlook: Chilhowie is under the direction of Robinson, who also is the school's baseball coach. The new coach made a big move right off the bat by installing the I-formation offense. During the Russell era Chilhowie was one of the last wishbone teams around but had been mixing in some I-formation in later years. Jones (957 yards, 5.3 carry) and bruiser tackles Boardwine and Johnson were the reasons for the switch. Pruitt fits the measurements to dominate the middle of the field on defense and offense. Pierce, who took year off to concentrate on baseball, is frontrunner at QB. A Group 1A West playoff berth is likely.

GEORGE WYTHE

Coach: H.S. Ingo (fifth season)

Record at George Wythe: 40-10

Last season: 13-1, 5-0 (won Group A Division 1 championship)

Returning offensive starters: 2

Returning defensive starters: 2

Players to watch: QB-DB Jordan Byrd (6-2, 187, sr.), WB-LB Trey Skeens (6-0, 177, jr.), WB-DE Elijah Onks (5-9, 187, jr.), FB-LB Ethan Deane (5-8, 177, jr.), OG-DL Nick Jonas (5-11, 192, sr.), WR-DB Reed Kegley (5-9, 165, jr.), QB-DB Darius Moore (5-11, 146, jr.), FB-DL Jake Lewis (5-9, 178, sr.), WR-DB Dre Cook (6-1, 153, sr.), WR-DB Josh Duncan (5-9, 150, jr.).

2012 summary: The Maroons won the second state football championship in school history. Wythe had an 11-game winning streak featuring a postseason run that included 7-0 win over 2011 state champ Clintwood, a 27-21 win at previously undefeated Franklin, and a 17-10 victory over Honaker in the title game. Offense and defense were similarly stout: 11 games of 27 or more points scored, seven with a TD or less yielded, three shutouts.

Outlook: George Wythe suffered heavy graduation losses, but the cupboard isn't bare. Byrd, who started the last seven games, will be challenged at QB by the more mobile Moore, who also can play WR. Skeens, a physical runner, averaged 9.8 yards per carry and played the last two games with a dislocated thumb. The long season produced playing time for reserves such as Onks, who will figure to move into expanded role. Kegley is a hard-nosed, big-play threat who is second-strongest player on the squad behind Skeens. Jonas had a big year on defense and should be a two-way standout. A return to the Group 1A state final isn't out of the question.

MARION

Coach: Joey Carroll (third season)

Record at Marion: 11-12

Last season: 7-5, 3-1 in Southwest (lost in Region IV Division 3 semifinal)

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 8

Players to watch: QB-LB Trey Crook (6-1, 210, sr.), OL-DL Anthony Bowling (6-2, 285, sr.), OL-DL Jordan Propst (5-11, 265, sr.), RB-LB Sam Wagner (5-10, 215, jr.), RB-CB Shaiquon Sharpe (5-10, 180, jr.), SL-CB Riley Blevins (5-8, 155, jr.), OL-DL Brodie Hall (6-0, 310, sr.), QB-S Hunter Lefler (6-1, 170, jr.), WR-LB Dustin Tilson (5-10, 180, sr.), SB-CB Brian Leaman (5-10, 155, sr.).

2012 summary: The Scarlet Hurricanes' farewell tour of the Southwest District was a success. Marion closed with four straight wins before falling 49-28 to eventual regional champ Tunstall. Playing mostly Hogoheegee teams out of district the slate went 3-1 with the lone loss coming to eventual D1 state champ George Wythe. Ethan Richardson rushed for 2,065 yards and 28 TDs in 11 games.

Outlook: Marion's move to the Hogoheegee means the addition of PH-Glade Spring and Holston to complete the six-game league schedule. Other new opponents are Union on the road Oct. 25 and Virginia High at home Nov. 1 to renew an old SWD rivalry. Six Marion returnees have started all or parts of three years. With 15 starting positions back, this is an experienced team. The defense was strong most of the time in 2012 In six of seven victories, only once did Marion give up as many as 18 points. Crook had 1,249 yards total offense last year. If he has another big year and Richardson's production can be replaced in some way, Marion should qualify for a Group 2A West playoff berth.

RURAL RETREAT

Coach: Christopher Moore (fourth season)

Record at Rural Retreat: 19-15

Last season: 7-5, 4-1 (lost in Division 1 West Section second round)

Returning offensive starters: 3

Returning defensive starters: 3

Players to watch: QB-LB Chase Heldreth (6-0, 166, sr.), LT-NG Hunter Addison (6-1, 276, sr.), RB-DE Connor Patton (6-4, 255, sr.), RB-LB Jordan Corvin (5-8, 190, sr.), TE-DL Jackie Burton (5-11, 220, sr.), WR-DB Justin Ball (5-10, 171, sr.), WR-DB Jeremy Davidson (5-7, 135, jr.), LB Devan Wilson (5-10, 162, sr.), LB-PK Skyler Miles (6-1, 145, jr.), WR Jackie Sowers (6-2, 181, jr.), OL-DL Jared Durrance (5-11, 276, jr.).

2012 summary: The Indians had a solid season that could have been better if it weren't for Wythe County archrival and ultimate Division 1 state champ George Wythe. The only two losses in the last 10 games were to the Maroons including twice in the final three games ending with a 22-6 playoff loss. The last four wins included a shutout and eight or fewer points yielded per game.

Outlook: Rural Retreat has 16 starting positions manned by seniors. The rest are juniors. The concern is depth. Heldreth, Corvin, Burton, Ball, and Davidson start on both sides of the ball. Miles starts at LB and handles the kicking duties. Heldreth is a first-year starter at quarterback. Corvin had limited carries last year at RB but is expected to step in adequately for Tyler Caudill, who ran for 20 TDs and more than 1,900 yards. No wonder. Addison, Patton, and Durrance represent 800 pounds worth of path-clearing push. Line the Indians up for one of the 16 Group 1A West postseason berths.

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