2013 Pioneer District football preview capsule

BATH COUNTY

Coach: Will Fields (12th season)

Record at Bath County: 79-53

Last season: 3-8, 1-3 (lost in Division 1 East Section first round)

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: RB-DB Ben Wolfe (5-9, 150, sr.), RB-DE Tyler Robertson (5-9, 205, sr.), RB-LB Christian Woodzell (6-0, 230, sr.), TE-LB Ethan Wrights (6-2, 220, sr.), OL-DL Michael Wolfe (6-1, 245, sr.), OL-DL A.J. Black (5-10, 210, sr.), RB-DB Michael Criser (5-9, 150, sr.), WR-DB Daniel Hevener (6-0, 150, sr.), OL-DL Logan Locklear (5-11, 240, soph.), RB-DB Owen Fry (6-1, 160, sr.).

2012 summary: The Chargers struggled through the first third of the season, beating only Buffalo Gap in the first six games. But the Chargers won two of their last three games and earned the No. 15 seed in the Division 1 East playoffs. Bath was in position to upset second-seeded Sussex Central, leading 10-8 in the fourth quarter, before the Tigers came up with a game-winning TD with 1:53 to play.

Outlook: Bath County is heading into the season with some concerns about depth - with a smaller roster than normal. And while there are teams that are in worse shape than Bath, there is a concern about staying healthy with an early-season schedule that includes Group 3A Alleghany and Robert E. Lee-Staunton. But if Bath can survive that, the Chargers should be ready for schools more their size. And if they can make the playoffs, the Bath should be well-seasoned. Bath has to find more offense this season as Wolfe tied for the team lead in TDs last year with four. The VHSL realignment also has moved Bath County back to the Western half of Division 1, meaning the Chargers will be battling for playoff spots with many of their more traditional old Region C rivals.

COVINGTON

Coach: Rod Tenney (second season)

Record at Covington: 6-6

Last season: 6-6, 2-2 (lost in Division 1 East second round)

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: FB-LB Luke Moye (5-9, 165, jr.), OT-DT Derek Dressler (6-2, 290, jr.), WB-CB Raquann Matthews (6-1, 170, jr.), TB-LB Brandon Phillips (5-11, 170, sr.), WB-CB Kashawn Carter (5-8, 150, jr.), OL-DL Chase Carper (6-2, 235, jr.), TE-DE Colton Howard (5-7, 135, sr.), OG-DT Jason Tingler (6-1, 212, sr.), OT-DT Ethan Pierce (6-1, 255, sr.), S Darnell Tolson (6-3, 180, jr.).

2012 summary: The Cougars came up short in their bid to win the Pioneer District title, but they did post a playoff victory when they put up 51 points against Rappahannock. Tenney installed the single wing and Moye prospered with 1,078 passing yards. Senior Troy Helton finished his career with more than 5,000 yards rushing despite an ankle injury late in the season. The Cougars gave up 35 or more points in four of their losses.

Outlook: Covington is not without offensive weapons despite the graduation of Helton, who took his talent to Ferrum College. Moye had an impressive sophomore season, rushing for 10 TDs in 12 games to go with his passing yards. Matthews was a playmaker at cornerback with six interceptions. Phillips was the Cougars' leading tackler with 59 solo hits. Dressler is one of the area's premier Group A linemen. Many of Covington's key players are juniors, a good sign for 2014. The Cougars have moved to the West Section of Group 1A, which will probably make it more difficult to qualify for the playoffs although the trips should be shorter. If Covington can survive a difficult early schedule, the Cougars should be in the postseason mix.

CRAIG COUNTY

Coach: Mark McPherson (10th season)

Record at Craig County: 29-62

Last season: 4-7, 0-4 (lost in Division 1 East first round)

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: QB-DB Cody Dunbar (5-7, 160, sr.), WR-DE Mason Smith (5-11, 180, sr.), C-DL Andrew Newby (5-11, 240, sr.), ATH-DB Levi Helm (6-2, 175, sr.), T-DL Jason Oliver (5-11, 205, sr.), LB Brandon Huffman (5-11, 175, jr.), LB Austin Logan (5-9, 185, soph.), WR-CB Kevin Swingle (6-1, 155, soph.), WR-DB Nate Jennings (5-11, 160, sr.), FB-LB Michael Rookman (5-11, 292, sr.).

2012 summary: The Rockets were winless in the Pioneer, but they still advanced to the playoffs as a No. 16 seed. There, they lost to top seed Franklin. The Rockets entered district play at 3-2, but lost in the final minute to Parry McCluer 34-28 to set the tone for the remainder of the season. Craig hung tough against Covington before eventually losing 41-29.

Outlook: Craig County will mix it up a little bit on offense this year in an effort to get its best athletes the most touches. Dunbar, who is among the school's all-time top five in rushing and passing yardage, will occasionally slide outside to give Helm some snaps under center. It is a move designed to get Dunbar in space. Smith also will see time all over the field as a running back and flanker on offense as well as the team's top defensive end. He scored touchdowns rushing, on returns and via a fumble recovery. Craig, which is one of the smallest in the state that plays football, is looking for just its third winning season in school history. The Rockets have moved from Group 1A East to the West section. That will only make reaching the playoffs more difficult.

JAMES RIVER

Coach: Philip King (11th season)

Record at James River: 49-54

Last season: 7-4, 4-0 (lost to Giles 41-14 in Division 2 West first round)

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: QB Sherman Austin (5-10, 165, sr.), WR Trey Chilcott (5-8, 150, sr.), OL-DL Dalton Hoppe (6-2, 170, jr.), WR-DB Patrick Schulz (5-11, 150, sr.), LB Cody Dyer (5-9, 180, sr.), RB Jack Schulz (5-11, 150 soph.), C Kris King (5-11, 200, jr.), OL-DL Tyler Harlow (5-10, 170, sr.), OG Austin Campbell (5-10, 240, jr.), OL Isaac Austin (6-1, 190, sr.).

2012 summary: The Knights won the Pioneer District title thanks to a 27-26 but the school's all-time postseason drought continued with a first-round loss at Giles. The injury bug was primarily to blame. By the time James River played Alleghany in Week 6, there were seven starters in street clothes. Back-to-back early wins over Glenvar and Altavista illustrated the potential the Knights had when healthy.

Outlook: James River's backups earned valuable playing time, partly because of the injuries. Sherman Austin filled in now-departed starter Kyle King for three games in 2012 and put some points on the board in a win over Auburn, and losses to Staunton River and Alleghany. He will take the spread offense's reins full-time. While graduation decimated the Knights' skill positions, the entire offensive line returns with King, Campbell, G Cort Clark, Isaac Austin and Harlow. RB Chris Moore graduated with 1,335 rushing yards. A pair of sophomores will try to fill that void. James River's early schedule is demanding, beginning with a game against physical rival Lord Botetourt. A slow start could make a return to playoffs doubtful.

PARRY McCLUER

Coach: Mike Craft (third season)

Record at Parry McCluer: 11-12

Last season: 7-5, 3-1 (lost in Division 1 East Section second round)

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: HB-LB Ryheem Dawson (6-1, 194, jr.), C-DL Tyler George (6-1, 217, jr.), QB-DB Morgan Henderson (5-11, 195, sr.), QB-DB Josh Perry (6-2, 175, sr.); FB-LB Ben Gibson (5-7, 180, jr.), HB-S Logan Arthur (5-5, 135, jr.), OL-DE Adam Wheeler (6-1, 205 sr.), TE Christian Camden (6-3, 194 sr.), K Christian Rice (5-7, 145 jr.), OL Amrik Wheeler (5-9, 172 jr.), OL-DL Lucas Fitzgerald (6-1, 212 jr.), OL-DL Jessie Fitzgerald (5-10, 170 jr.).

2012 summary: The Fighting Blues were shut out in their first two games of the season by Rockbridge County and Buffalo Gap, but they won seven of their next nine, including a 33-7 victory over Charles City to open the Division 1 East playoffs. The season came to an end the following week when Parry McCluer fell to the division's second-seeded team, Sussex Central, in a game that was tied going into the fourth quarter.

Outlook: Parry McCluer opens its season with Rockbridge County, which is always a challenging game for the smaller Fighting Blues. And Greenbrier East (W.Va.) is also on the schedule. Craft does not have a large senior class - there are only four seniors, including Perry, projected to be starters. But a solid junior class, led by 2012 All-Timesland Sizzlin' Sophomore Dawson, should help with depth. Dawson is a powerful back with good speed. He will be a load for any of the Group 1A teams on the schedule. While some schools were flipped around in the latest VHSL realignment, Parry McCluer remained in Group 1A East. That could mean a long trip for a playoff game, but the Blues have a good shot to play in one.

Weather Journal

2 days ago

1. One person injured in Friday night shooting in Roanoke

2. Britney Spears spotted at Lynchburg restaurant

3. East Carolina poses new challenge for Virginia Tech football 

4. Lowe's tapes may hold clues to Roanoke woman's death

5. William Byrd stuns Salem in football win

6. 'Best defense in nation,' Tech player says about victory over ECU 

7. Concert review: Timeless Willie Nelson plays to appreciative crowd

8. Blacksburg lawyer Painter’s bond revoked

9. History says this one will matter for Virginia Tech

10. Roanoke County electrical short quiets 5 Wheeler radio stations