FOOTBALL

COLLISION COURSE
THE ROANOKE TIMES

INSIDE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Cover stories
Hidden Valleys Jake Kite (above left) and Patrick Henrys David Prince have made commitments to ACC schools, but first they will suit up as high school seniors. Kite and Prince will be on opposite sides Friday night at PH when the 2012 football season opens across Timesland.
PRINCE Page 3 | KITE Page 4

TIMESLAND TOP

COVINGTONS TROY HELTON

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

PAGE 10

10

1. SALEM 2. PATRICK HENRY 3. NORTHSIDE 4. FRANKLIN COUNTY 5. ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY 6. PULASKI COUNTY 7. GILES 8. HIDDEN VALLEY 9. CHRISTIANSBURG 10. GEORGE WYTHE

THE ROANOKE TIMES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012 PREDICTIONS
WESTERN VALLEY 1. Franklin County 2. Patrick Henry 3. George Washington 4. William Fleming 5. Halifax County BLUE RIDGE 1. Northside 2. Rockbridge County 3. William Byrd 4. Staunton River 5. Lord Botetourt 6. Alleghany PIEDMONT 1. Magna Vista 2. Bassett 3. Martinsville 4. Tunstall 5. Patrick County RIVER RIDGE 1. Salem 2. Pulaski County 3. Hidden Valley 4. Christiansburg 5. Cave Spring 6. Blacksburg SEMINOLE 1. Brookville 2. Amherst County 3. Heritage 4. Liberty 5. Jefferson Forest 6. E.C. Glass 7. Rustburg SOUTHWEST 1. Richlands 2. Marion 3. Carroll County 4. Abingdon 5. Tazewell HOGOHEEGEE 1. George Wythe 2. Rural Retreat 3. Chilhowie 4. Holston 5. PH-Glade Spring 6. Northwood MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 1. Grayson County 2. Fort Chiswell 3. Galax 4. Graham 5. Narrows 6. Bland County PIONEER 1. James River 2. Covington 3. Parry McCluer 4. Bath County 5. Craig County THREE RIVERS 1. Giles 2. Radford 3. Floyd County 4. Glenvar 5. Eastern Montgomery 6. Auburn OLD DOMINION 1. Christchurch 2. St. Annes-Belfield 3. Blue Ridge 4. Virginia Episcopal 5. North Cross 6. Covenant ROBERT ANDERSONS 2011 WEEKLY PREDICTIONS
Regular-season: Playoffs: Overall: 243-40 31-12 274-52 .859 .721 .840

TIMESLAND SCHEDULES
WESTERN VALLEY DISTRICT FRANKLIN COUNTY Aug. 24 at William Fleming Aug. 31 Woodbridge Sept. 7 at Salem Sept. 14 Magna Vista Sept. 21 at Bassett Sept. 28 Christiansburg Oct. 5 William Fleming Oct. 12 at Halifax County Oct. 19 at George Washington Oct. 26 Patrick Henry PATRICK HENRY Aug. 24 Hidden Valley Aug. 31 at Bassett Sept. 7 Pulaski County Sept. 14 at Blacksburg Sept. 21 at Patriot Oct. 5 George Washington Oct. 12 Martinsburg, W.Va. Oct. 19 at Halifax County Oct. 26 at Franklin County Nov. 2 William Fleming WILLIAM FLEMING Aug. 24 Franklin County Aug. 31 Amherst County Sept. 7 at Magna Vista Sept. 14 E.C. Glass Sept. 21 R.J. Reynolds, N.C. Sept. 28 Salem Oct. 5 at Franklin County Oct. 12 George Washington Oct. 26 Halifax County Nov. 2 at Patrick Henry BLUE RIDGE DISTRICT ALLEGHANY Aug. 24 Covington Sept. 7 Rustburg Sept. 14 at Bath County Sept. 21 Cave Spring Sept. 28 at James River Oct. 5 at Northside Oct. 12 William Byrd Oct. 19 at Rockbridge County Oct. 26 Lord Botetourt Nov. 2 at Staunton River LORD BOTETOURT Aug. 24 James River Aug. 31 at Salem Sept. 7 at Hidden Valley Sept. 14 at Cave Spring Sept. 21 Blacksburg Oct. 5 at William Byrd Oct. 12 Rockbridge County Oct. 19 Staunton River Oct. 26 at Alleghany Nov. 2 Northside NORTHSIDE Aug. 24 at Amherst County Aug. 31 Pulaski County Sept. 7 Cave Spring Sept. 14 Hidden Valley Sept. 21 at Salem Oct. 5 Alleghany Oct. 12 at Staunton River Oct. 19 at William Byrd Oct. 26 Rockbridge County Nov. 2 at Lord Botetourt ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY Aug. 24 Parry McCluer Aug. 31 Waynesboro Sept. 7 at Fort Defiance Sept. 14 Robert E. Lee Sept. 21 at Amherst County Oct. 5 Staunton River Oct. 12 at Lord Botetourt Oct. 19 Alleghany Oct. 26 at Northside Nov. 2 at William Byrd STAUNTON RIVER Aug. 31 at Jefferson Forest Sept. 7 at Liberty Sept. 14 Patrick County Sept. 21 James River Sept. 28 at Tunstall Oct. 5 at Rockbridge County Oct. 12 Northside Oct. 19 at Lord Botetourt Oct. 26 William Byrd Nov. 2 Alleghany WILLIAM BYRD Aug. 24 at Cave Spring Aug. 31 Hidden Valley Sept. 7 at Brookville Sept. 14 Salem Sept. 28 Glenvar Oct. 5 Lord Botetourt Oct. 12 at Alleghany Oct. 19 Northside Oct. 26 at Staunton River Nov. 2 Rockbridge County PIEDMONT DISTRICT BASSETT Aug. 24 at Carroll County Aug. 31 Patrick Henry Sept. 7 at Jefferson Forest Sept. 14 Christiansburg Sept. 21 Franklin County Sept. 28 at Hidden Valley Oct. 5 Tunstall Oct. 19 at Martinsville Oct. 26 at Patrick County Nov. 2 Magna Vista MAGNA VISTA Aug. 24 at Heritage Aug. 31 Morehead, N.C. Sept. 7 William Fleming Sept. 14 at Franklin County Sept. 21 Pulaski County Sept. 28 at Halifax County Oct. 5 Patrick County Oct. 12 at Tunstall Oct. 26 Martinsville Nov. 2 at Bassett W, 14-7 L, 44-14 L, 44-21 L, 47-0 L, 34-13 L, 28-21 W, 19-14 L, 46-34 W, 42-6 L, 27-14 W, 34-19 W, 49-16 W, 14-9 W, 28-26 W, 35-28 W, 42-21 W, 64-13 W, 42-0 W, 34-17 W, 27-14 W, 47-0 L, 35-13 W, 35-20 L, 45-21 W, 35-19 L, 42-21 L, 41-25 L, 31-29 W, 36-0 L, 40-28 W, 45-7 L, 29-13 L, 31-10 L, 34-18 W, 12-11 L, 32-3 L, 38-0 W, 17-16 L, 36-0 L, 28-27 W, 20-14 W, 17-9 W, 45-21 W, 21-17 W, 23-17 W, 42-21 W, 42-20 W, 21-20 W, 19-6 W, 28-27 W, 48-7 W, 53-17 W, 26-22 L, 14-0 W, 20-0 W, 21-14 W, 38-0 W, 31-29 L, 19-6 W, 46-28 L, 42-24 W, 19-6 W, 42-7 W, 39-15 W, 27-17 W, 38-0 L, 42-0 L, 17-16 W, 24-20 W,40-28 L, 28-14 L, 20-6 L, 42-6 L, 27-13 W, 42-21 W, 32-3 W, 41-25 L, 21-20 L, 24-20 L, 46-28 W, 20-3 W, 21-14 W, 14-13 L, 28-26 W, 34-13 L, 42-8 W, 35-16 W, 49-29 W, 34-20 W, 34-0 W, 42-14 W, 44-14 W, 31-7 W, 49-3 DNP W, 31-2 L, 14-9 W, 41-0 L, 34-0 W, 14-0 L, 20-3 L, 9-0 L, 14-9 L, 21-20 L, 27-14 L, 21-0 L, 35-16 L, 32-7 W, 9-7 L, 14-0 MARTINSVILLE Aug. 24 Brookville Aug. 31 at Cave Spring Sept. 14 Liberty Sept. 21 Halifax County Sept. 28 at Carroll County Oct. 5 at Heritage Oct. 12 at Patrick County Oct. 19 Bassett Oct. 26 at Magna Vista Nov. 2 Tunstall PATRICK COUNTY Aug. 24 North Stokes, N.C. Sept. 7 at Floyd County Sept. 14 at Staunton River Sept. 21 Richlands Sept. 28 Radford Oct. 5 at Magna Vista Oct. 12 Martinsville Oct. 19 at Tunstall Oct. 26 Bassett Nov. 2 at Carroll County RIVER RIDGE DISTRICT BLACKSBURG Aug. 24 Giles Aug. 31 Liberty Sept. 7 at Tazewell Sept. 14 Patrick Henry Sept. 21 at Lord Botetourt Oct. 5 Hidden Valley Oct. 12 at Salem Oct. 19 at Cave Spring Oct. 26 Pulaski County Nov. 2 at Christiansburg CAVE SPRING Aug. 24 William Byrd Aug. 31 Martinsville Sept. 7 at Northside Sept. 14 Lord Botetourt Sept. 21 at Alleghany Oct. 5 Salem Oct. 12 at Pulaski County Oct. 19 Blacksburg Oct. 26 at Christiansburg Nov. 2 at Hidden Valley CHRISTIANSBURG Aug. 24 Floyd County Aug. 31 at Giles Sept. 7 Carroll County Sept. 14 at Bassett Sept. 28 at Franklin County Oct. 5 Pulaski County Oct. 12 at Hidden Valley Oct. 19 at Salem Oct. 26 Cave Spring Nov. 2 Blacksburg HIDDEN VALLEY Aug. 24 at Patrick Henry Aug. 31 at William Byrd Sept. 7 Lord Botetourt Sept. 14 at Northside Sept. 28 Bassett Oct. 5 at Blacksburg Oct. 12 Christiansburg Oct. 19 at Pulaski County Oct. 26 Salem Nov. 2 Cave Spring PULASKI COUNTY Aug. 24 Radford Aug. 31 at Northside Sept. 7 at Patrick Henry Sept. 14 Richlands Sept. 21 at Magna Vista Oct. 5 at Christiansburg Oct. 12 Cave Spring Oct. 19 Hidden Valley Oct. 26 at Blacksburg Nov. 2 Salem SALEM Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Lord Botetourt Franklin County at William Byrd Northside at William Fleming at Cave Spring Blacksburg Christiansburg at Hidden Valley at Pulaski County L, 10-0 L, 40-3 W, 30-7 L, 49-3 L, 12-11 L, 41-7 L, 55-7 L, 40-6 L, 28-0 L, 41-10 W, 28-14 W,50-29 L, 45-21 W, 34-18 W, 45-21 L, 29-26 W, 22-20 W, 40-6 W, 26-21 L, 41-39 W, 49-0 W, 20-10 W, 52-13 W, 47-0 W, 42-8 W, 28-7 W, 31-6 W, 42-36 L, 26-21 W, 41-10 L, 42-14 W, 20-6 W, 31-10 L, 21-17 W, 28-21 W, 41-7 L, 31-6 W, 13-10 L, 10-3 W, 41-39 L, 13-12 L, 17-9 L, 31-7 L, 38-21 L, 35-28 L, 28-7 L, 22-20 L, 13-10 W, 28-0 L, 35-20 W, 29-13 L, 14-13 W, 27-13 L, 23-17 W, 21-10 W, 29-26 W, 55-7 L, 42-36 W, 10-3 W, 35-20 L, 35-18 L, 50-29 W, 44-34 L, 17-10 W, 18-14 L, 18-10 W, 36-0 W, 46-34 L, 34-17 W, 21-14 MARION Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Chilhowie at Northwood Fort Chiswell at Rural Retreat Graham George Wythe at Richlands Tazewell at Carroll County at Abingdon L, 35-21 W, 57-0 L, 29-7 L, 46-31 L, 28-26 L, 52-13 L, 49-0 W, 37-10 W, 30-8 W, 55-24 CRAIG COUNTY Aug. 24 Auburn Aug. 31 East Hardy, W.Va. Sept. 7 at Narrows Sept. 14 at Roanoke Catholic Sept. 21 at Galax Oct. 5 at Parry McCluer Oct. 12 Montcalm, W.Va. Oct. 19 Bath County Oct. 26 at Covington Nov. 2 James River JAMES RIVER Aug. 24 at Lord Botetourt Aug. 31 at Glenvar Sept. 7 Altavista Sept. 14 Auburn Sept. 21 at Staunton River Sept. 28 Alleghany Oct. 12 Covington Oct. 19 Parry McCluer Oct. 26 Bath County Nov. 2 at Craig County PARRY McCLUER Aug. 24 at Rockbridge County Aug. 31 Buffalo Gap Sept. 7 Montcalm, W.Va. Sept. 14 at Riverheads Sept. 21 Roanoke Catholic Sept. 28 at Auburn Oct. 5 Craig County Oct. 12 at Bath County Oct. 19 at James River Nov. 2 Covington THREE RIVERS DISTRICT AUBURN Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 at Craig County Covington East Hardy, W.Va. at James River Parry McCluer at Giles Radford at Eastern Montgomery Glenvar at Floyd County L, 41-6 L, 43-8 L, 55-36 L, 54-0 L, 41-18 L, 62-0 L, 49-0 L, 36-16 L, 63-0 L, 61-14 L, 13-6 W, 36-6 L, 56-12 L, 34-22 W, 27-21 L, 57-0 L, 55-0 W, 36-16 L, 35-0 L, 63-7 L, 49-0 L, 37-21 W, 62-0 L, 31-19 L, 30-12 L, 35-18 W, 55-0 L, 44-6 L, 13-10 W, 61-14 W, 10-0 L, 20-10 W, 42-12 W, 49-12 W, 56-7 W, 62-0 W, 41-28 W, 44-6 W, 35-0 W, 21-17 L, 17-14 W, 41-15 W, 35-13 W, 41-10 L, 42-21 W, 35-18 L, 41-28 L, 21-14 W, 63-0 W, 63-6 W, 13-12 L, 10-7 L, 43-0 W, 23-20 W, 38-13 W, 57-0 W, 49-0 W, 21-14 W, 13-10 L, 21-17 W, 41-6 L, 44-21 W, 28-19 L, 19-0 L, 49-14 L, 30-22 W, 55-14 L, 14-0 L, 21-7 L, 37-0 L, 45-7 L, 41-15 L, 42-0 W, 54-0 L, 39-15 L, 35-19 L, 50-48 W, 14-13 W, 14-6 W, 37-0 L, 48-7 L, 28-12 W,64-0` L, 55-12 W, 20-6 W, 41-18 W, 30-22 L, 20-14 L, 14-13 L, 29-22

HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT L, 24-0 L, 62-0 L, 42-7 L, 49-0 L, 38-13 L, 64-13 L, 36-0 L, 21-13 L, 42-6 L, 41-6 CHILHOWIE Aug. 24 at Marion Aug. 31 Grayson County Sept. 7 at Abingdon Sept. 14 Fort Chiswell Sept. 21 Northwood Sept. 28 at Virginia High Oct. 5 at Rural Retreat Oct. 12 George Wythe Oct. 26 PH-Glade Spring Nov. 2 at Holston GEORGE WYTHE Aug. 24 Tazewell Aug. 31 Fort Chiswell Sept. 7 at Radford Sept. 14 Floyd County Sept. 28 at Marion Oct. 5 at Northwood Oct. 12 at Chilhowie Oct. 19 PH-Glade Spring Oct. 26 Holston Nov. 2 at Rural Retreat RURAL RETREAT Aug. 24 at Fort Chiswell Aug. 31 Bland County Sept. 7 at Grayson County Sept. 14 Marion Sept. 21 at Narrows Oct. 5 Chilhowie Oct. 12 at PH-Glade Spring Oct. 19 Holston Oct. 26 at Northwood Nov. 2 George Wythe MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DISTRICT BLAND COUNTY Aug. 24 at PH-Glade Spring Aug. 31 at Rural Retreat Sept. 14 Holston Sept. 21 Eastern Montgomery Sept. 28 at Northwood Oct. 5 Narrows Oct. 12 at Grayson County Oct. 19 Graham Oct. 26 at Galax Nov. 2 Fort Chiswell FORT CHISWELL Aug. 24 Rural Retreat Aug. 31 at George Wythe Sept. 7 at Marion Sept. 14 at Chilhowie Sept. 21 Floyd County Oct. 5 Galax Oct. 12 Narrows Oct. 19 Grayson County Oct. 26 at Graham Nov. 2 at Bland County GALAX Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Glenvar at Floyd County at Eastern Montgomery at Radford Craig County at Fort Chiswell Graham at Narrows Bland County Grayson County L, 26-15 L, 42-0 L, 21-20 L, 27-21 W, 14-12 W, 16-8 L, 56-13 L, 31-0 L, 49-0 L, 49-13 L, 28-22 L, 34-0 W, 29-7 W, 35-7 W, 30-12 L, 52-0 W, 42-6 L, 41-40 L, 10-7 W, 49-13 W, 17-14 W, 37-21 W, 56-12 W, 43-0 W, 49-14 W, 52-0 W, 45-14 W, 48-7 W, 49-0 W, 21-6 W, 55-12 W, 40-7 W, 52-13 W, 61-6 W, 26-19 W, 41-3 W, 56-13 W, 41-40 W, 48-6 L, 21-6 L, 34-6 L, 36-6 L, 28-19 L, 49-12 L, 47-6 L, 16-8 L, 42-6 L, 48-7 L, 48-6 L, 35-7 W, 35-21 L, 40-7 W, 7-0 L, 35-7 W, 34-6 L, 21-6 L, 28-22 L, 56-10 W, 55-0 W, 28-14 W, 63-3 W, 34-0 W, 10-7 W, 31-19 W, 52-13 W, 62-14 W, 56-10 W, 49-0 W, 42-0 W, 42-6 W, 28-22 W, 42-0 L, 52-13 W, 46-31 W, 47-6 W, 28-22 W, 39-8 W, 45-29 W, 27-0 L, 42-6

EASTERN MONTGOMERY Aug. 24 at Bath County Aug. 31 Narrows Sept. 7 Galax Sept. 14 at Covington Sept. 21 at Bland County Oct. 5 at Radford Oct. 12 Floyd County Oct. 19 Auburn Oct. 26 at Giles Nov. 2 Glenvar FLOYD COUNTY Aug. 24 at Christiansburg Aug. 31 Galax Sept. 7 Patrick County Sept. 14 at George Wythe Sept. 21 at Fort Chiswell Oct. 5 Glenvar Oct. 12 at Eastern Montgomery Oct. 19 Giles Oct. 26 at Radford Nov. 2 Auburn GILES Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 at Blacksburg Christiansburg at Covington at Narrows Tazewell Auburn at Glenvar at Floyd County Eastern Montgomery Radford

SEMINOLE DISTRICT JEFFERSON FOREST Aug. 24 at Halifax County Aug. 31 Staunton River Sept. 7 Bassett Sept. 14 at Turner Ashby Sept. 21 Brookville Oct. 6 at E.C. Glass Oct. 12 Liberty Oct. 19 at Amherst County Oct. 26 Heritage Nov. 2 at Rustburg LIBERTY Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 at Blacksburg Staunton River at Martinsville Heritage at Rustburg Brookville at Jefferson Forest E.C. Glass at Harrisonburg at Amherst County W, 35-12 W, 42-24 W, 44-21 W, 28-16 L, 35-10 W, 45-21 W, 36-25 W, 24-21 W, 34-14 L, 27-14 W, 40-3 L, 19-6 L, 44-34 L, 42-0 L, 21-12 L, 47-0 L, 36-25 L, 49-19 L, 41-20 L, 28-12

GRAYSON COUNTY Aug. 24 Alleghany, N.C. Aug. 31 at Chilhowie Sept. 7 Rural Retreat Sept. 14 at Clintwood Sept. 21 Carroll County Oct. 5 at Graham Oct. 12 Bland County Oct. 19 at Fort Chiswell Oct. 26 at Narrows Nov. 2 at Galax NARROWS Aug. 24 at James Monroe, W.Va. Aug. 31 at Eastern Montgomery Sept. 7 Craig County Sept. 14 Giles Sept. 21 Rural Retreat Oct. 5 at Bland County Oct. 12 at Fort Chiswell Oct. 19 Galax Oct. 26 Grayson County Nov. 2 at Graham PIONEER DISTRICT BATH COUNTY Aug. 24 Eastern Montgomery Aug. 31 Riverheads Sept. 7 at Buffalo Gap Sept. 14 Alleghany Sept. 28 at Pocahontas Co., W.Va. Oct. 5 at Covington Oct. 12 Parry McCluer Oct. 19 at Craig County Oct. 26 James River Nov. 2 Pendleton Co., W.Va. COVINGTON Aug. 24 at Alleghany Aug. 31 at Auburn Sept. 7 Giles Sept. 14 Eastern Montgomery Sept. 21 at Glenvar Sept. 28 at Summers Co., W.Va. Oct. 5 Bath County Oct. 12 at James River Oct. 26 Craig County Nov. 2 at Parry McCluer

GLENVAR Aug. 24 at Galax Aug. 31 James River Sept. 7 James Monroe, W.Va. Sept. 21 Covington Sept. 28 at William Byrd Oct. 5 at Floyd County Oct. 12 Giles Oct. 19 Radford at Auburn Oct. 26 Nov. 2 at Eastern Montgomery RADFORD Aug. 24 at Pulaski County Sept. 7 George Wythe Sept. 14 Galax Sept. 21 Virginia High Sept. 28 at Patrick County Oct. 5 Eastern Montgomery Oct. 12 at Auburn Oct. 19 at Glenvar Oct. 26 Floyd County Nov. 2 at Giles OLD DOMINION NORTH CROSS Aug. 24 at Charlotte Latin, N.C. Sept. 1 Virginia Episcopal Sept. 8 Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot Sept. 15 vs. Christchurch, at St. Annes Sept. 22 at Blue Ridge Sept. 29 Hargrave Military Oct. 5 at St. Annes-Belfield Oct. 13 at Atlantic Shores Christian Oct. 27 Covenant Nov. 2 at Norfolk Christian INDEPENDENT ROANOKE CATHOLIC Sept. 1 at Fredericksburg Christian Sept. 7 at Brunswick Academy Sept. 14 Craig County Sept. 21 at Parry McCluer Sept. 28 Fishburne Military Oct. 12 Quantico Oct. 19 Fuqua Oct. 26 at Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot Nov. 2 at Kenston Forest

SOUTHWEST CARROLL COUNTY Aug. 24 Bassett Aug. 31 at Mt. Airy, N.C. Sept. 7 at Christiansburg Sept. 21 at Grayson County Sept. 28 Martinsville Oct. 5 Abingdon Oct. 12 at Richlands Oct. 19 at Tazewell Oct. 26 Marion Nov. 2 Patrick County L, 14-7 L, 21-6 L, 52-13 L, 26-19 L, 18-14 W, 16-3 L, 48-23 W, 53-0 L, 30-8 W, 41-6

W, ,13-6 L, 45-0 L, 14-11 L, 35-20 L, 45-33 L, 22-19 W, 20-14 W, 14-10 L, 14-6 W, 41-6 L, 47-0 W, 43-8 L, 42-12 W, 34-22 L, 41-10 W, 27-22 W, 22-19 W,50-48 W, 21-7 W, 29-22

L, 23-0 W, 34-0 L, 20-6 DNP W, 41-21 W, 42-13 DNP W, 41-7 DNP W, 34-27

Team capsules compiled by: Robert Anderson, Ray Cox, Casey Richey, Chuck Altizer Cover illustration: Kyle Green Design: Mark Shaver, Howard Wimmer Photos: The Roanoke Times Sports editor: Steve Hemphill Keep up with all the high school sports happenings at varsity. roanoke.com.

L, 42-0 W, 31-13 W, 19-0 L, 20-6 W, 17-7 W, 44-22 W, 46-38 L, 49-22 DNP

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THE ROANOKE TIMES

Patrick Henry High School quarterback David Prince was a wide receiver as a sophomore until former PH coach Brad Bradley made him the starting quarterback in the sixth game of the 2010 season.

Photo illustration by KYLE GREEN | The Roanoke Times

Speedy Prince leads by example

The Patrick Henry quarterback grew from an undersized wide receiver into a Virginia Tech recruit.
By Robert Anderson robert.anderson@roanoke.com 981-3123

lan Fiddlers birthday falls on Christmas. Poor guy. Twice the holidays, half the presents. Whos sorry now? When Fiddler became the head football coach at Patrick Henry High School in 2011, he found a nice gift-wrapped package at the corner of Grandin and Brandon. Other first-year coaches have done worse than opening a box and discovering an athlete like David Prince.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Prince is a track star with enough speed to land a football scholarship from Virginia Tech. He has started the last 15 games at quarterback for Patrick Henry and will be running the offense again in 2012. However, what makes Prince special are the intangibles: leadership, work ethic, being a solid citizen. I inherited a good guy, Fiddler said. Hes a Division I athlete. Ill take that every day of the week. Great athletes come and go, but when youve got a kid who does things the right way it makes it enjoyable. Of course, football will be a lot more fun for the Patriots this year if they do something no PH team has accomplished since 2000 advance to the Northwest Region playoffs. Last year the table was set for the Patriots to unseat Franklin County as the Western Valley District champion, but the Eagles came to Roanoke and hammered PH 34-0. Prince threw as many interceptions (2) against Franklin County as he had pass completions. He ran 11 times for 11 yards, then carried the heavy burden of defeat home on his narrow shoulders. Nearly a year later, the pain remains. It doesnt feel good, Prince said. I dont like thinking about it. I dont like talking about it much. Its definitely a motivator though. Patrick Henry finished 7-3 in 2011 and lost all three of its close games. Included was 16-14 home loss to 2010 Group AAA Division 6 state champion Battlefield. Prince was directing a potential game-winning drive when he made a bad read on a third-down option play and took the Patriots out of field goal range. I should have kept it and I pitched it automatically, Prince said. I do take a little bit of blame for that. As a team, we kind of folded in big games. Personally, that was my first big game of my career. Id never been in a tight game like that, when we have the ball driving down the field with under a minute left in the game. It was my job to lead us and I didnt. When the city of Roanoke celebrated the start of its the school year last week with an Olympics-style ceremony, Prince

Patrick Henry High School senior quarterback David Prince scrimmages recently against Rustburg.

STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS | The Roanoke Times

was selected to carry the torch for Patrick Henry. No surprise there. He works hard. Hes a leader, Fiddler said. Even though hes already the scholarship offer and hes one of the best players in the area, he still works every day to try to get better. A lot of kids out there that want to be Division I football players need to look at David and the way hes handled himself. Fiddler, who was the head coach at NCAA Division II Glenville State (W.Va.) and is a former college quarterback, worked closely with Prince on his passing skills this spring and summer. We changed some of his mechanics, Fiddler said. When he was so young and he wasnt strong enough, he would drop that back hip and bend that back knee. He was kind of shot-putting the ball. His passing has really improved. Its showing up on the field in practice and all spring. The games that we struggled in, we got beat up front. That made it tough. I dont think we had as many weapons as we have this year. Prince was a wide receiver as a sophomore until former PH coach Brad Bradley made him the starting quarterback in the sixth game of the 2010 season at Christiansburg. The Blue Demons, ranked No. 1 in Group AA at the time, smashed the Patriots 40-6. I ran the ball over 20 times and I took a beating, Prince said. That was my wakeup call. He answered it by rushing for 214 yards and passing for 106 in a 30-7 WVD win at George Washington. Prince, who barely weighed 150 pounds as a 10th-grader, did not run from the adversity. I always wanted to be there, at quarterback, he said. Most of the older guys Ryan Revia, Mike Clark, Devontae Casey, Zach Cochran, Brandon Terry they kept encouraging me. Now its his turn. If you put your head down, the whole team will, Prince said. Especially the young guys, theyre following you. I was there one day. They look up to you. They want to be like you one day. Prince had his heroes as a youngster, but they all wore the blue and gold of William Fleming, where his grandfather, Sherley Stuart, was once the Colonels head football coach. Former Fleming football stars Mijuan Curtis and Dere Hicks were Princes idols. I didnt really know too many guys from PH, Prince said. Curtis and Hicks also were track and field standouts, catching Princes eye at an early age. I knew track before I knew football, Prince said. When I was 5, 6, 7 years old I was running around with my granddad and we went to track meets. Hed pick me up after school and Id go practice with Fleming. The Patrick Henry senior figured he would follow in Fleming footsteps. That was until his mother moved to the other side of town. I sat out two years of football because we had moved from Northwest over to

here, Prince said. I was all Fleming back then. My mom told me shes not transporting me to Northwest anymore because it was too much on gas. I kind of figured the only way for me to play football was to play for PH. My seventh-grade year I came out here. Nothing but love. In June, Prince finished third in the Group AAA track and field meet with one of the top long jumps in Timesland in many years 24 feet, 14-inch. If Prince envisioned himself as a college athlete, it would have been in track, not football, even two years ago when he became a starting quarterback. I was just running around playing high school football, he said. Even last year when I got that offer from Tech. I was out of the zone. I wasnt even thinking that would come that early in the season. I always told myself, Maybe Ill get a D-one-double-A offer by my senior year. I never thought of myself to be like that. Virginia Tech recruited Prince as a slot receiver or split end. PH occasionally sent Prince wide last year. He has a lot of potential because hes just so fast, Fiddler said. He can fly. He can get to top-end speed really quick. He catches the ball well. We played him at receiver in 7-on-7 this spring. He did well. Really, he was dominant. Hes one of the faster guys Ive been around, high school or college. Prince has been the quarterback of the only two PH teams to post a winning record since 2000. The Patriots were 6-4 in 2010 under Bradley, who left after his second season to take the job at Group A Amelia County. Bradley left Amelia after one season and is now at Heritage High in Lynchburg. Prince said he was crushed when Bradley left PH. I wasnt feeling too well, Prince said. Everybody didnt know what to do. A lot of people had their heads down because he was so good at forming relationships with the players. A lot of upcoming seniors were saying, Nobody wants to play. Third head coach in four years. Were going to start over scratch again. Enter Fiddler. It was really exciting to find out Coach Fiddler was coming here, Prince said. Coach Fiddler knows the game of football. He teaches the game. Everybody likes him. Prince said he is considering graduating early from PH and entering Tech in January, but he sounds hesitant. I doubt I will because of track, he said. I feel like I have a chance to compete for the state title this year. Prince might play football and run track at Tech, just like a former Tech two-way star who shares his first name David Wilson. Initially, that might be too much of a good thing. Like getting double the presents on Christmas. David Wilson was a national champion in the triple jump, Prince said. There wasnt much doubt he would run track. I want to do what Im going there for first, which is to get my books. After that, its football.

THE ROANOKE TIMES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Hidden Valley High School senior Jake Kite has already accepted a scholarship offer to play football at Duke University. He was the 2011 Timesland defensive player of the year for the 7-5 Titans.

STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS | The Roanoke Times

Titans Kite L stars in video of hit parade

Hidden Valleys No. 20 has made a specialty of making sure the opposing player goes down on the first hit, and the film proves it.
By Ray Cox ray.cox@roanoke.com 381-1672

ets go to the tape. Theres No. 20 in navy and gold knifing through lead blockers as though theyre not there and dropping a sweeping tailback in his tracks after a gain of no more than a yard. Heres another sweep to the opposite side. You cant even see 20 until after the play is well under way. A defensive back, No. 20 is rolling full tilt when he comes into the picture to chop down the ballcarrier, who looks as if he just fell abruptly into a deep hole and disappeared into the turf after being buried during the takedown. Theres 20 again, this time on special teams. Hes back on a kickoff return. The football arrives and is caught by one of the deep backs. Here comes 20 with a lethal block, leveling one member of the coverage team as though a large tree had just fallen on him. But 20 isnt through yet. Hes up looking for somebody else to block. He finds a target, closes in, and pancakes that kid more effectively than a cook at IHOP.

Hes the best football player Ive ever seen. Never seen a guy play football like that.
Hidden Valleys Troy Paplomatas On teammate Jake Kite

Jake Kite (20) of Hidden Valley looks to run the ball during a game against Christiansburg High School last year. The senior returns this year stronger and more experienced, making him a formidable opponent.

The Roanoke Times | File 2011

Two opposing special teams guys on their backs courtesy of No. 20 on the same play. Not bad. How about that Jake Kite? That No. 20 for Hidden Valley High School can sure decorate a highlight tape. Hes an even more ferocious football player seeing him live. The speed, impact, and sheer sound of it all as he engages opposing players cant be fully appreciated on tape. Hes the best football player Ive ever seen, Hidden Valley teammate Troy Paplomatas said. Never seen a guy play football like that. You might not have either. Lets see some more of that Feb. 25, 2012, YouTube classic highlight file. Here are some more tackles. Every one of them is textbook low angle, shoulders square, exploding into the thighs of the ballcarrier like a torpedo that has gone off target and left the water. There is no second effort gains on the part of the offensive player. He goes down and stays down; play after play the same

thudding result: No. 20 hits them, and they hit the ground. Kite, the 2011 Timesland defensive player of the year and an all-state pick by the coaches, is poised to administer the punishment through one more black and blue high school season. To hear his coach Scott Weaver tell it, one had better buy a ticket to see Kite play ball while theyre still cheap. Ive been either playing or been around high school football in the Roanoke Valley since 96 when I was playing at Northside, and hes the best defensive player Ive ever seen in the valley, Weaver said. The highlight tape is a YouTube eyeopener. Potential viewers beware. Avoid if violence troubles you. I heard there were 20 more of his hits that were just as good but didnt make the tape, Hidden Valley athletic director Chris Morris said. Viewers have more than enough to work with in the file that is available to the general public. Here comes another blown up coverage guy on a punt return. Kite closes on the target wide open from at least 30 yards and drills this kid right between the numbers. Up fly the guys feet and down on his backside he goes as if hes fallen backward off a three-rail fence. The guy just lies there a moment or two. You hope hes all right. Kite is the son of Roanoke lawyer and former University of Virginia defensive back Chris Kite, who left most of the handling of the recruiting process to Weaver. The coach got the tape out to a pile of major college football offices, Virginia Tech and Virginia among them. A lot of tape, a lot of letters, a lot of work, Weaver said. Duke offered right away and Kite took it. Many assumed Virginia was the frontrunner because of Kites father and other family connections (Jakes older brother is a Virginia undergraduate). But Virginia waited. Duke coach David Cutcliffe didnt. I like [Virginia] a lot, but I saw Duke as a perfect fit and UVa hadnt offered yet, Kite said. So I went ahead and got it done. Kite was one of the keys as the Titans became the most improved team in Timesland if not the state when they

went from 0-10 in 2010 to 7-5 and a second round Group AA Division 4 Region IV playoff team. Kite played slotback as well as on defense and special teams. Kite averaged 13.1 yards and scored two touchdowns while catching 25 regular season passes. The scoring has earned Kite some ribbing because among his red zone incursions last year, a number inside the 5 came up just short. More of the same was on display at the Titans first scrimmage this preseason. One play drew some sideline sighs when Kite executed a crisp hitch and go and accepted a nice delivery from quarterback Nic Ratliff for a foray that ended on the Giles 2. Defensively, nobody could quibble last year with Kites 104 regular season tackles, No. 10 on the Timesland list. Tackle totals dont begin the tell the whole story of what Kite can do. Back to the tape, heres a clip of him returning a kick. Nice move to his inside, would-be tackler misses completely and Kite has 20 more yards. Next guy who gets in his way, he just runs over. More special teams, hes on PAT defense, down in a three-point stance pointed at the inside angle on the left flank. Kite is so fast in his rush and so precise with his angle that almost before the holder can get the snap down. Kite is stretched out horizontal to the ground to smother the kick. Kite fits the description of well-rounded. Hes a 3.9 student who hasnt settled on what direction his college studies will go. Athletically, hes also wrestled in high school, settling in last winter at 170 pounds (he played football at 6-foot-1, 186 last year). He banged up a shoulder this summer at Dukes camp and plans to play with it. He says it hasnt troubled him any at all in the preseason. The possibility of surgical repair remains open, but only after the season. In any case, he appears to be leaning away from returning to the wrestling mat this season. Id like to [wrestle] but if not, big picture, it would probably be smart to concentrate on football and Duke. Speaking of leaning, another of Kites talents is riding a unicycle. He just got a new one an off-road model no less after committing to Duke. Somewhere is a video of Kite going out for a pass on the unicycle and making the catch. Dukes coaches are aware he can onewheel it and theyre cool with that. Long as I dont get hurt, Kite said. If the tape of Kite crushing it on the football field is any indication, when No. 20 is involved, its usually somebody else who feels the pain. Take the runner early in the tape who has good momentum when he hits the left tackle hole. Here comes 20 to meet him. What a shot. Oh, no. There goes the ballcarriers headgear flying at least 5 yards to the rear. You hope for compassions sake the guys head isnt still in that headgear.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THE ROANOKE TIMES

WESTERN VALLEY DISTRICT

FRANKLIN COUNTY
Coach: Chris Jones (fourth season) Record at Franklin County: 27-9 Last season: 9-3, 4-0 (lost in Northwest Region Division 6 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 7 Players to watch: OL-LB Ryan Wade (6-0, 230, sr.), RB-WR Chance Tyree (5-9, 200, sr.), OL-DL Tyler Tune (6-0, 230, jr.), OL-DL Josh Stone (6-0, 250, sr.), FB-DL Jon Altice (5-9, 195, sr.), WR-DB Christian Witcher (6-1, 190, sr.), OL Alveno Matthews (6-1, 240, jr.), WR-DB Hakeem Alderman (6-1, 170, jr.), WR-DB Bubba Henderson (5-11, 175, sr.), DB-KR E.J. Harris (5-7, 160, sr.). 2011 summary: Franklin County has not lost a WVD game in Jones three seasons, and the Eagles outscored their league foes 152-65 last year after getting hammered 42-8 at Christiansburg. FC won a playoff game for the third straight season before falling to Battlefield 38-21. A road win over Woodbridge and a 14-13 home victory over Salem on a blocked field goal were among the highlights. Outlook: The Eagles took a blow in preseason with a collarbone injury suffered by returning quarterback Kyle Ellis. Jones official stance on the injury is that Ellis will be out an undermined length of time. Franklin County also lost some strong offensive linemen, but there is no shortage up front this year. The defense that shut out Patrick Henry 34-0 last year still should be formidable led by Wade and Tune. Jones, who picked up his 100th career victory has won state titles at the Group A and Group AA level. The next step is a trip to a Northwest Region final. It probably will not happen this year.

enrollment at right

2012 DIVISIONS

52 TYLER TUNE
Franklin County

23 XAVIER WHORLEY
Patrick Henry
than 40 points four times while the defense posted two shutouts. Outlook: The Patriots should be smoother offensively in Year 2 under Fiddler, a former college head coach at Glenville State (W.Va.). Prince, who has committed to Virginia Tech as a receiver, has 15 starts at QB under his belt. He has plenty of weapons at his disposal including Mike, a transfer from William Fleming. Anderson returns as the WVD defensive player of the year. PK Jacob Otterman kicked seven field goals including a 50-yarder. In order to nail down their first playoff berth since 2000, the Patriots likely will have to beat Franklin County in Rocky Mount in late October. 178, sr.), WR-SS Diamond Shorter (5-5, 137, sr.), QB Trey Sawyers (6-2, 159, sr.), QB Tyrell Adams (5-10, 180, fr.), OG-DL Tyler Chumbley (5-8, 211, sr.), WR-CB Nico Johnson (5-9, 147, sr.). 2011 summary: William Fleming suffered through another tough season, but at least a 9-7 victory over Halifax County held up, unlike the previous year when the Colonels forfeited their only win. Fleming played its best football early, losing to Magna Vista (14-9), E.C. Glass (21-20) and R.J. Reynolds, N.C. (27-14). With a schedule that included just three home games, the Colonels scored only 78 points all year. Outlook: The Colonels do not bring back much experience despite last years 1-9 record. The starting offensive line includes four sophomores. At least four prospective starters transferred to other schools in the valley. Fleming appears to have a Division I recruit in Morisseau, a transfer from Howard H.S. in Ellicott City, Md. Johnson said James Madison is hot on the recruiting trail. Bonds, one of Timeslands fastest track sprinters, has joined the team this fall. Sawyers, a transfer from Birmingham, Ala., will start at QB. Even with seven home games this year, the Colonels still have a long way to go.

VHSL GROUP AAA NORTHWEST REGION DIVISION 6 Battlefield ................................................. 2,982 Osbourn Park............................................ 2,742 Woodbridge.............................................. 2,546 Gar-Field ................................................... 2,467 Stonewall Jackson................................... 2,442 Forest Park................................................ 2,290 C.D. Hylton ................................................ 2,195 Franklin County ........................................ 2,164 Colonial Forge .......................................... 2,053 Osbourn .................................................... 1,953 Patrick Henry............................................ 1,948 Riverbend.................................................. 1,917 Stafford ..................................................... 1,887 DIVISION 5 Massaponax ............................................. 1,874 Freedom-Loudoun ................................... 1,814 Freedom-Prince William ......................... 1,794 Mountain View......................................... 1,760 Halifax County ......................................... 1,742 Albemarle ................................................. 1,709 North Stafford .......................................... 1,691 Broad Run ................................................. 1,661 Potomac.................................................... 1,655 Brooke Point ............................................. 1,631 Orange County ......................................... 1,552 William Fleming ....................................... 1,511 George Washington ................................ 1,377 GROUP AA REGION III DIVISION 4 Amherst County ...................................... 1,468 E.C. Glass .................................................. 1,374 Jefferson Forest ....................................... 1,288 Harrisonburg ............................................ 1,282 William Byrd ............................................. 1,160 Heritage-Lynchburg ................................ 1,111 Lord Botetourt ......................................... 1,089 Staunton River ......................................... 1,088 Turner Ashby ............................................ 1,058 Broadway.................................................. 1,023 DIVISION 3 Brookville ................................................... 1,011 Northside ..................................................... 989 Rockbridge County..................................... 963 Liberty .......................................................... 920 Rustburg ...................................................... 919 Fort Defiance............................................... 856 Waynesboro ................................................ 851 Alleghany ..................................................... 850 Spotswood .................................................. 810 R.E. Lee-Staunton ....................................... 743 REGION IV DIVISION 4 Pulaski County ......................................... 1,450 Salem ........................................................ 1,239 Bassett ...................................................... 1,228 Carroll County .......................................... 1,186 Hidden Valley ........................................... 1,096 Christiansburg ......................................... 1,062 Blacksburg................................................ 1,050 Magna Vista ................................................ 953 DIVISION 3 Abingdon ..................................................... 925 Tunstall......................................................... 836 Cave Spring ................................................. 820 Patrick County ............................................ 778 Richlands ..................................................... 736 Marion .......................................................... 715 Martinsville ................................................. 705 Tazewell ....................................................... 663 DIVISION 2 WEST (Timesland schools only) Floyd County .............................................. 636 Grayson County ......................................... 632 Glenvar ........................................................ 600 Giles............................................................. 512 Fort Chiswell .............................................. 496 James River ................................................ 479 DIVISION 1 EAST (Timesland schools only) Parry McCluer ............................................. 329 Covington .................................................... 251 Bath County ................................................ 232 Craig County ............................................... 217 DIVISION 1 WEST (Timesland schools only) Radford......................................................... 455 Chilhowie ..................................................... 445 George Wythe ............................................. 435 Auburn ......................................................... 387 Galax............................................................. 387 Rural Retreat ............................................... 360 Bland County............................................... 299 Eastern Montgomery................................. 298 Narrows ....................................................... 233 VIS DIVISION III Covenant ....................................................... 147 Hampton Roads ............................................ 147 Fishburne Military ........................................ 142 Atlantic Shores ............................................. 133 Fredericksburg Christian ............................. 121 Portsmouth Christian .................................. 120 Norfolk Christian........................................... 112 Massanutten Military .................................. 110 Virginia Episcopal ......................................... 108 Isle of Wight .................................................. 98 North Cross ................................................... 95 DIVISION IV Greenbrier Christian .....................................83 Hampton Christian ........................................70 Quantico .........................................................69 Roanoke Catholic...........................................68 Blessed Sacrament .......................................64 Fuqua...............................................................63 Brunswick Academy .....................................60 Southampton Academy ...............................56 Broadwater.....................................................48 Tidewater........................................................44 NOTES: Numbers used to determine VHSL divisions are March 31, 2011 Average Daily Membership for grades 9-12 submitted to the Department of Education by each school. Classification into three groups is based on Sept. 30, 2009 membership. VIS enrollment figures are for male students only and are 2010 figures.

PATRICK HENRY

Coach: Alan Fiddler (second season) Record at Patrick Henry: 7-3 Last season: 7-3, 3-1 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: QB-DB David Prince (6-1, 180, sr.), RB-LB Demetrius Anderson (5-10, 195, sr.), RB-DB Xavier Whorley (5-11, 185, sr.), WB-FS Trevor Mike (6-0, 185, jr.), WR-CB Cortez Ogden (6-0, 170, jr.), OG-DT Anthony Robinson (6-1, 250, jr.), TE-DE Nate Lee (6-3, 225, jr.), C-DT Zach Baker (6-3, 220, jr.), FB-OLB Antwaun Harried (5-9, 195, sr.), RB-DB Kemonte Cooper ( 2011 summary: Patrick Henry made a run at the Northwest Region Division 6 playoffs, but the Patriots came up short in big games. PH scored just 26 total points in losses to Battlefield, Class AAA West Virginia state champ Martinsburg and Franklin County with a 34-0 home loss to the Eagles deciding the WVD title. PH put up more

WILLIAM FLEMING

Coach: Lee Johnson (third season) Record at William Fleming: 1-19 Last season: 1-9, 1-3 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 1 Returning defensive starters: 2 Players to watch: WR-LB Etienne Morisseau (6-2, 186, sr.), RB-LB DeRell Stone (6-2, 218, sr.), RB-LB Dah-Qwon Edrington (6-1, 179, sr.), OT-DL Antonio Williams (5-8, 108, sr.), WR-CB Malik Bonds (6-0,

BLUE RIDGE DISTRICT

ALLEGHANY
Coach: Jack Baker (10th season) Record at Alleghany: 38-56 Last season: 4-6, 1-4 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: WR-LB Ethan Nicely (5-10, 165, sr.), QB-DB Nick Ferrell (6-2, 175, jr.), WR-DB Kendall Kessinger (5-7, 140, jr.), RB-DB Dalton Unroe (5-9, 160, sr.), WR-DB Tanner Seay (5-10, 170, sr.), RB-DB Daniel Unroe (5-9, 160, sr.), OL-DT Christian Vess (5-10, 255, sr.), OL-DE Levi Peters (5-10, 205, soph.), WR-LB Waylon Maydian (5-11, 170, sr.), OL-LB Darin Buckner (5-11, 200, sr.). 2011 summary: Alleghany lacked a breakthrough victory against a strong schedule. Five of the six teams that beat the Mountaineers made the playoffs. The victories were against Lord Botetourt and Group A Pioneer District teams Covington, Bath County and James River. Offense was not the problem as QB Seth Bradley finished his career with more than 5,000 passing yards. In its six losses, Alleghany gave up 234 points. Outlook: The Mountaineers are the BRDs smallest school, but they posted a playoff win in 2010 over Robert E. Lee and had a near postseason upset of Brookville in 09. Gone is Bradley, who threw for 23 TDs and just five interceptions in 2011. Ferrell has been a littleused backup for the past two years, but he appears ready. Nicely and Kessinger combined for 70 catches and 12 TDs in the spread attack. Dalton Unroe was the No. 2 tackler behind graduated LB Connor Simpson. The other teams at the bottom of the BRD in 2011 figure to be improved. A .500 season will be a stretch.

LORD BOTETOURT

62 DeANTHONY MUSE
Northside

Coach: Jamie Harless (first season) Last season: 3-7, 1-4 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: TE-ILB Thomas Kennedy (6-0, 245, sr.), RB Chris Thompson (5-10, 200, jr.), TE-ILB Patrick Boland (6-0, 208, sr.), OL-DL Andrew Williams (6-0, 259, sr.), QB-DB Conner Bronson (5-9, 170, sr.), RB-OLB Daijon Bannister (5-10, 191, jr.), QB Alex Hampton (6-3, 151, sr.), TE-DL Daniel Rader (5-10, 226, jr.), TE-DB Austin Oyler (5-11, 169, soph.), TE-DL Peyton Calenger (5-11, 193, sr.). 2011 summary: Lord Botetourts season was anything but routine. Six games into the schedule, head coach Tater Benson suffered a knee injury in practice and missed the last four games as he was collecting workers compensation. With assistant Josh Aliveto in charge, the Cavaliers were blanked by Rockbridge County (38-0) and Alleghany (36-0), but they beat Staunton River (17-16) and barely lost to Northside (28-27, OT). Outlook: The Cavaliers are anxious to see if Harless, a former assistant at Cave Spring and Franklin County can lead a turnaround. Botetourt hasnt posted a winning season since 2000 or a playoff victory since 1984. Expect a physical approach featuring Thompson, who rushed for 513 yards as a sophomore. The QB job was undecided through preseason as potential returnee Will Cline opted not to play. Kennedy, Boland and Williams should be solid two-way players. The nondistrict schedule is not brutal, but four of the first six games are on the road. Four or five wins might be the ceiling in Harless first year.

25 SIMEON HORSTMANN
William Byrd
last year, has won the job again. Buckner, another Fleming transfer, brings some outside speed. Muse, the 2011 Timesland Sizzlin Sophomore of the year on defense, is a tackling machine. Ferebee could be a Division I prospect, while Hall is a massive sophomore. Northside has won 32 games in the last three years. The Vikings could add another nine or 10. 155, jr.), WR-DB Brandon Weeks (5-10, 145, sr.). 2011 summary: Staunton Rivers season had to rate as a success as the Golden Eagles smashed Harrisonburg 28-9 in the playoffs before losing to Jefferson Forest for the second time. Close home losses to Rockbridge County (21-14) and Lord Botetourt (17-16) marred an otherwise solid year. The offense survived a season-ending injury to star RB Jarret Moon to post a second straight winning season. Outlook: The Golden Eagles lost some major talent including speedy Moon and LB Brian Ellis, who is playing at VMI. Tyree moved over from FB to fill in for Moon late last year and had a 237-yard game against Alleghany. Martin brings quickness to the QB position, but he battled a sprained ankle last year. His health is crucial. Frederick made first-team All-Blue Ridge last year on defense. Vieira, a transfer from Franklin County who played basketball for Staunton River last winter, takes Ellis spot at linebacker. Opening games against Jefferson Forest and Liberty will be a barometer for the season.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

NORTHSIDE

Coach: Burt Torrence (seventh season) Record at Northside: 41-28 Last season: 11-1, 5-0 (lost in Region III Division 3 final) Returning offensive starters: 3 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: OG-NG DeAnthony Muse (6-0, 246, jr.), TE-DE Demetrius Ferebee (6-5, 225, sr.), WR-ILB Ezra Waddey (5-7, 200, jr.), WR-FS Harold Buckner (6-3, 175, jr.), QB-CB Dom Dunnaville (5-9, 162, jr.), QB-OLB Matt Culicerto (5-11, 185, jr.), TB-ILB Isaiah Kelso (5-7, 190, sr.), RB-LB Jeremy Williams (5-10, 230, sr.), TE-DT Chance Hall (6-5, 266, soph.), OT-DT Tom Stump (6-0, 265, sr.). 2011 summary: Northside posted its second 10-0 regular season in school history and led eventual Division 3 state champion Brookville 7-0 in the regional final before things went downhill. Quarterback Adam Hardister graduated with nearly every school passing record, while big-play threats Tyler Fisher and Dakota Jackson also departed. The Vikings enter 2012 with a 15-game regular-season win streak. Outlook: Dunnaville, a transfer from William Fleming, won the starting quarterback job in preseason after a battle with two-year JV QB Matt Culicerto. There is plenty of speed on offense so expect to see some different plays this fall. Kelso, the starter at tailback early

Coach: Jason White (eighth season Record at Rockbridge County: 37-41 Last season: 9-3, 4-1 (lost in Region III Division 3 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: QB-KR Porter Abell (6-0, 185, sr.), TE-LB Adam Doll-Hennis (6-0, 225, jr.), WR-CB Colton Wilson (5-9, 175, sr.), OT-DE Austin Clark (6-6, 265, soph.), LG-DT Curtis Fridley (6-3, 275, sr.), TE-LB Chance Holland (6-2, 185, sr.), RB-FS Cheyenne Pooley (5-10, 170, jr.), RB-CB Omar White (5-9, 155, jr.), OG-DL Hunter Higgins (6-1, 255, sr.), OL-DE Richie Tomlin (6-3, 275, jr.). 2011 summary: Rockbridge County threw a major scare into Brookville in its regional semifinal before losing 19-14. The Wildcats major problem was offensive production in big games as they lost 19-6 to Northside in the Blue Ridge title game and 14-0 to Robert E. Lee. Senior RB Ling Zheng set the schools career rushing record. A playoff win over Rustburg was the programs first since 2006. Outlook: The Wildcats need to stay healthy, particularly at quarterback where Abell is one of Timeslands best. The Richmond recruit excels at running the triple option and has speed to score from 80 yards out. Pooley and White figure to split duty at halfback. Doll-Hennis had 81 solo tackles last year and will be even more physical as a junior. The long-armed Clark could be a high-major prospect in two years. Soccer standout Miles Bent has signed on as a place-kicker. Rockbridge should be first in line to challenge Northsides recent Blue Ridge dominance. Expect another playoff berth and a possible regional semifinal.

WILLIAM BYRD

STAUNTON RIVER

Coach: Chuck Poston (third season) Record at Staunton River: 15-8 Last season: 7-4, 2-3 (lost in Region III Division 4 first round) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 3 Players to watch: QB Deshawn Martin (5-10, 180, jr.), RB-LB Chris Tyree (6-1, 171, sr.), TE-MLB Madisyn Vieira (6-3, 240, sr.), FB-LB Paul Williams (5-9, 175, sr.), C-DL Cortland Frederick (5-9, 185, sr.), WR-DB Ramir Hunt (6-2, 180, jr.), OG-DL Matt Saunders (6-0, 215, sr.), OT-DL Zach Miller (6-3, 255, sr.), WR-DB Marcus Brown (5-9,

Coach: Jeff Highfill (32nd season) Record at William Byrd: 160-155-3 Last season: 3-7, 2-3 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 9 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: RB-LB Simeon Horstmann (5-8, 197, jr.), TE-LB Timmy Meador (6-1, 230, sr.), QB-DB Zac Hill (5-10, 165, jr.), RB-LB Darryl Preston (5-7, 180, sr.), OT-DL Chris Thomas (6-1, 280, jr.), OT-DL Sean Jackson (6-1, 260, sr.), C-DL Colton Patriquin (6-3, 210, sr.), OG-DL Brandon Harless (5-10, 208, sr.), OL-DE Caleb Richmond (6-0, 170, sr.), WR-DB Tanner Weaver (6-2, 170, sr.). 2011 summary: William Byrd overcame early-season injuries to win three straight games before dropping their final three to miss out on the postseason. The highlight was a 21-20 loss at Northside. That was followed by a 24-20 loss at home to neighborhood rival Staunton River. Byrds first four games were against strong teams: Cave Spring, Hidden Valley, Division 3 state champion Brookville and Salem. Outlook: The Terriers return more starters than anyone in the Blue Ridge, but they still lack strength up front, a situation that grew more severe when Thomas was felled by a broken arm in mid-July. He could miss several games. Byrd is strong at the skill positions. Horstmann, Preston and Hill rushed for a combined 2,000 yards with Horstmann picking up 986. Hill started the last six games at QB and passed for 406 yards. Preston could open some eyes this year, while Meador has led the Terriers in tackles for the past two seasons. Byrd will improve, but a .500 will be a challenge against a rough schedule.

8 PORTER ABELL
Rockbridge County

THE ROANOKE TIMES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

RIVER RIDGE DISTRICT

BLACKSBURG
Coach: David Crist (38th season) Record at Blacksburg: 227-177-4 Last season: 1-9, 0-5 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 7 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: OT-DL Parker Robertson (6-3, 225, sr.), TE-DE Adam Vaught (6-7, 249, jr.), QB-DB Kaleb Bohrnstedt (6-5, 180, soph.), WR-DB Daniel Stinespring (5-10, 154, sr.), RB-LB Ryan Sims (6-0, 160, jr.), FB-DE Joe Lucas (5-10, 167, jr.), OG-LB Marcus Ilardo (6-0, 260, sr.), OG-LB C.J. Linkous (5-11, 190, sr.), OG-DT Wayne Myers (5-9, 215, jr.), C-DT Brett Palmer (5-10, 224, jr.). 2011 summary: Blacksburgs lone victory was a 30-7 romp over winless Tazewell. Otherwise, the season was a major struggle for a very young team as the Bruins were outscored 316-47 in their nine losses. Two of the setbacks were close, however: a season-opening 10-0 loss at Giles and a 12-11 home loss to Lord Botetourt. Blacksburg did hold a 10-3 lead in the second quarter in its season finale against Christiansburg. Outlook: The Bruins were the youngest team Crist has put on a field since the 1983 squad. There is little question Blacksburg will be much improved this year. Bohrnstedt appears to have grabbed the starting QB job. A basketball standout, Bohrnstedt did not play football last year, but has the athleticism to play free safety or DB. Robertson and Vaught are slated to play DE, but the Bruins could go smaller depending on the opponent. PK Carson Wise could be a weapon in a close game. Can Blacksburg take a step up in the River Ridge standings? The gap between fifth and sixth was cavernous, so it will be difficult.

CAVE SPRING

Coach: Tim Fulton (eighth season) Record at Cave Spring: 43-37 Last season: 9-4, 3-2 (lost in Group AA Division 3 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: RT-DL Dylan Brucki (6-6, 303, sr.), QB-DB Connor Baker (5-11, 177, sr.), TE-LB Jordan Bryant (6-3, 232, sr.), RB-LB James Jackson (5-6, 179, sr.), WR-CB Jon Evans (6-0, 152, sr.), TE-DT Matt Reiter (6-1, 201, sr.), WR-S Jack Woody (6-2, 174, sr.), WR-S Michael Christley (6-0, 161, sr.), FB-DT Kyle Curtis (6-0, 185, jr.), WR-LB Zac Foutz (6-4, 198, soph.). 2011 summary: Cave Spring advanced one step further than the Knights did in 2010, winning at Richlands to claim the Region IV Division 3 crown. No one played more exciting games than Cave Spring, which balanced River Ridge wins over Christiansburg (26-21) and Pulaski County (22-20) with district losses to Salem (29-26) and Hidden Valley (41-39, 2 OT). Senior RB Sam Wright graduated after rushing for 2,792 yards. Outlook: The Knights are rebuilding their offense as Brucki and Bryant are the only returning starters up front. Brucki, a Liberty recruit, missed the first scrimmage with a hamstring pull. Jackson, a transfer from Jefferson Forest, will replace Wright at running back. Woody and Evans should give Baker some capable targets in his first year at QB after he missed 2011 with a knee injury. The defense looks solid with Reiter and Curtis up front. Foutz is a very talented sophomore. A seven-win regular season is very unlikely, but a fourth straight playoff berth should be a certainty.

14 MATT HILL
Salem
Virginia Tech, while RB Zach Snell walked on with the Hokies. Outlook: The Blue Demons let observers know whether this is a rebuilding or reloading year following three straight regional titles. The roster includes 20 juniors. Augustin likely will spend most of his time at running back. He and Green-Gause give Christiansburg perhaps Timeslands most explosive tandem. Muldoon or Justin Dunford will be the quarterback. Dowdy suffered a broken hand in preseason but hopes to play with a cast. Junior PK Jake Hamley could be an edge in close games. Expect the defense to be stout. A berth in the regional final? Dont bet against it. committed to Duke, and Frazier. Flici will be in his third year as a starter after making 56 solo tackles in 10 games. Moses and Parke are three-year starters on the offensive line while Paplomatas was All-Region IV. Frazier, a strong-armed shortstop on the baseball team, takes over at quarterback. Pencil in a second straight postseason appearance for Hidden Valley. QB job over sophomore Jesse Draper. King and Calfee are major talents up front, particularly offensively. This season has to be better for the Cougars, who should grab another playoff berth and challenge for a winning record.

SALEM

PULASKI COUNTY

HIDDEN VALLEY

CHRISTIANSBURG

Coach: Tim Cromer (11th season) Record at Christiansburg: 74-43 Last season: 12-2, 4-1 (lost in Group AA Division 4 championship) Returning offensive starters: 2 Returning defensive starters: 3 Players to watch: RB-DB DeQuan Green-Gause (6-0, 186, sr.), RB-FS Joey Augustin (6-3, 171, sr.), OG-LB Seth Wills (6-0, 206, jr.), OT-NG Jordan Fenton (5-11, 283, jr.), OL-LB Calvin Graham (5-9, 168, sr.), OG-LB D.J. Dowdy (5-11, 168, sr.), QB Mack Muldoon (5-11, 167, jr.), OT-DL Logan Winters (6-3, 287, jr.), OL-LB Logan Adkins (5-10, 186, jr.). 2011 summary: Christiansburg staged its best season in school history, losing 28-26 to Briar Woods in the state final after trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter. A 29-26 loss at Cave Spring was the only blemish during a regular season that saw the Blue Demons win their five nondistrict games by a combined 210-31. QB Brenden Motley signed with

Coach: Scott Weaver (fourth season) Record at Hidden Valley: 14-19 Last season: 7-5, 3-2 (lost in Region IV Division 4 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 8 Returning defensive starters: 7 Players to watch: WR-SS Jake Kite (6-1, 188, sr.), MLB Massi Flici (6-2, 215, jr.), WR-FS Chad Frazier (5-10, 155, sr.), QB Nic Ratliff (5-10, 176, sr.), RG-DE Chris Moses (6-2, 234, sr.), C-DT Troy Paplomatas (6-0, 225, sr.), RT-DT Jordan Parke (5-11, 300, sr.), RB-CB Walker Brand (5-7, 182, jr.), TE-DE Jacob Bowen (6-2, 235, sr.), TE-DE Ian Kemp (6-4, 240, sr.). 2011 summary: Hidden Valley reached the second round of the playoffs, but the need for speed was evident in a 41-20 loss to Christiansburg. The Titans also gave up big numbers in regular-season losses to Christiansburg (31-6) and Patrick Henry (42-14). Hidden Valley, which went 0-10 in 2010, avoided any upset losses and stunned rival Cave Spring 41-39 in double-overtime to tie for third placed in the district. Outlook: The Titans could continue their upward mobility after last years seven-win improvement. The secondary should be a major strong point with the return of Kite, the reigning Timesland defensive player of the year who has

Coach: Todd Jones (third season) Record at Pulaski County: 6-15 Last season: 1-10, 1-4 (lost in Region IV Division 4 first round) Returning offensive starters: 9 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: OG-DL James King (6-4, 220, sr.), OT-DL Kareem Calfee (6-3, 275, jr.), RB-LB Quincy Rollins (5-6, 165, jr.), RB-LB Marcus McClanahan (5-10, 215, sr.), RB-LB Zack Akers (6-1, 215, sr.), QB Marcus Johnston (6-1, 205, jr.), TE-DL Codie Blevins (6-1, 225, sr.), RB-LB Corey Dobbins (5-8, 210, sr.), OL-LB Elijah Wesley (5-11, 245, sr.), OL-LB Cory Hale (6-1, 220, sr.). 2011 summary: Pulaski County equalled a school-record for losses in a season, matched only by the 0-10 mark posted by the 1975 team. Still, the Cougars made the playoffs in Region IV with a 1-9 regular-season record. The Cougars 10 opponents wound up winning 85 games, including 11 in the playoffs. Pulaski, which was searching for stability at quarterback, lost five games by eight points or fewer including two in the River Ridge. Outlook: The Cougars return their entire starting offensive line and most of their athletes at the skill positions. Pulaski has some versatility in its backfield, featuring the quickness of Rollins, the power running of McClanahan and the pass-catching ability of Akers. Blevins could be a major factor at tight end. Johnston, in and out of the lineup in 2011, appears to have won the starting

Coach: Stephen Magenbauer (ninth season) Record at Salem: 85-15 Last season: 8-4, 4-1 (lost in Region IV Division 4 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 4 Players to watch: QB Matt Hill (6-5, 214, sr.), OT-DL Alex Light (6-5, 295, jr.), OT-DE Cameron Clowser (6-2, 207, sr.), RB-LB Arrius McConnell (5-7, 167, sr.), WR-DB Chad Fisher (5-10, 170, sr.), OG-DE Zach Hill (6-1, 211, jr.), RB Isaiah Harris, FB-SS Devante Payne (5-9, 160, jr.), C Spencer Blankenship (5-11, 225, sr.), LB Jamal Holland (5-11, 225, jr.). 2011 summary: Salem had a good season that could have been much better. The Spartans lost 14-13 at Franklin County on a blocked field goal, then lost at Northside 23-17 in overtime when they failed to score from the 1-yard line. The other loss came 42-36 at Christiansburg, sealed by a late turnover. Salem shared the River Ridge title, but it has been four years and counting since the Spartans made it out of Region IV. Outlook: The Spartans should have somewhat of a different look offensively with the departure of workhorse Marty Bishop, who set a single-season school rushing record for a fullback. Hill is the lone returning full-time starting QB in the River Ridge. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 850 yards. Fisher is versatile enough to play QB in the wildcat formation. Salem lost six of its top seven tacklers from 2011. Look for Payne, Hall and Holland to emerge as playmakers. The 2012 season could be one of the most balanced ever in Timesland. Salem will be somewhere near the top.

SEMINOLE DISTRICT
JEFFERSON FOREST
Coach: Don Rice (ninth season) Record at Jefferson Forest: 45-40 Last season: 9-3, 4-2 (lost in Region III Division 4 final) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 8 Players to watch: WR-DB Dominique Royal (6-1, 170, sr.), WR-DB Cody Loveday (6-0, 170, sr.), QB David Jacobs (6-2, 170, sr.), LB Garrett Neal (5-11, 205, sr.), NG Mike Baker (5-10, 200, sr.), OT Colby Tomlinson (6-4, 240, sr.), OG Ryan Roberson (6-0, 265, sr.), OG Dalton King (5-10, 250, sr.), LB Jason Ayers (5-10, 170, so.), TB Mike Foster (5-10, 150, jr.). 2011 summary: Jefferson Forest had its best season since the 1997 team reached the Division 3 state semifinals, but a 29-14 loss to Broadway in the regional final stopped the Cavaliers short of any further postseason glory. Jefferson Forest averaged close to 29 points a game. Senior QB Marcus Jones rushed for 1,482 yards and 27 touchdowns, while passing for 1,144 yards and another eight scores. Outlook: The Cavaliers must find a way to replace the offensive production of Jones. One player is not going to do it. Also gone is Ryan Gingrich, who caught 31 passes. Royal and Loveday give the Cavaliers some good speed and size at receiver. Royal had 14 catches last year. The offensive line is solid and can open up some holes. The pistol offense should continue to run smoothly, even with a new quarterback at the helm. Brookville and Amherst County are at the top of the Seminole. Nevertheless, the nondistrict schedule is not loaded. Another playoff berth is possible.

LIBERTY

Coach: Chris Watts (11th season) Record at Liberty: 80-38 Last season: 1-9, 0-6 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: TE-LB Hunter Taylor (6-2, 225, sr.), RB-DB Trevon Lightfoot (5-9, 155, sr.), DL Josh Quick (6-3, 275, sr.), C-DE Hunter Patterson (6-0, 205, sr.), QB Austin Porter (6-0, 165, soph.), RB Chase Key (5-7, 160, sr.), RB-LB Matt Smith (6-1, 200, soph.), S Montana Willis (5-11, 180, sr.), TE-LB Jamaal Preston (6-3, 220, jr.), WR-DB Justin Wainscott (6-0, 165, sr.) 2011 summary: Liberty played a large number of freshmen and sophomores, and suffered its first losing season since 1999. The defense gave up an average of 33 points per

game. The offense was shut out twice while scoring just six points in a loss to Staunton River. Libertys only victory was a season-opening win over a Blacksburg team that finished 1-9. The Minutemen were outscored in their six Seminole losses 264-88. Outlook: The Minutemen aim to return to the form that fans are accustomed to in the upcoming season. Leading scorer Lightfoot returns and will factor in heavily with his versatility, speed and athleticism. Porter and Smith are both young, but will have big roles in the offense. Quick is the big anchor on the defensive line. Preston is a track sprinter who already has drawn some interest from Virginia Tech and Virginia. The best is yet to come for this team but that could be in 2013. A five- or six-win season and a Region III Division 3 playoff berth are possible.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
CARROLL COUNTY
Coach: Tom Hale (14th season) Record at Carroll County: 74-65 Last season: 3-7, 2-2 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: QB Conner Lundy (6-3, 158, jr.), WR-S Chris Smoot (6-0, 149, sr.), RB-CB Patrick Davis (5-9, 146, sr.), WR Duncan Reece (6-6, 180, jr.), DT Lucas Holder (6-5, 238, sr.), S Josh Underwood (5-7,138, sr.), WR Taylor Case (5-8, 145, sr.), RB Kody Alley (5-10, 166, sr.), TE-DE Jared Haga (5-11, 187, so.), CB Josh Blankenship (5-9, 130, jr.). 2011 summary: Carroll County finished third in the Southwest District, a dropoff from an 8-4 record a year before. The Cavaliers started 0-5 against a difficult schedule that included Christiansburg, but took three of the last five. The Cavaliers suffered four of their seven losses by two scores or less. Lundy led Carroll County in passing with seven touchdowns. Outlook: The Cavaliers should be solid as Lundy returns to run the offense. He has a big target in the 6-6 Reece. Underwood can contribute in the running game, but Carrolls top four rushers from last year are gone. Holder anchors the defensive line. Under the Cavaliers scheme, he will tie up blockers so linebackers and defensive backs can make plays. Smoot, who grabbed a team-high 12 receptions, also can be a big run stopper from the secondary. A revised defensive scheme and better depth could make Carroll more competitive. Earning an at-large playoff berth in Region IV might require five or six wins.

MARION

Coach: Joey Carroll (second season) Record at Marion: 4-7 Last season: 4-7, 3-1 (lost in Region IV Division 3 first round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 7 Players to watch: RB Ethan Richardson (5-10, 180, sr.), WR Colin Gullion (5-8, 155,

jr.), LB Tanner Cullop (6-0, sr.), QB Trey Cook (6-0, 200, jr.), LB Dustin Tilson (5-10, 175, jr.), WR-CB Kyle Rivero (5-8, 150, jr.), WR Sam Lincoln (6-6, 180, sr.), DL Anthony Bowling (6-3, 270, jr.), OL Brodie Hall (6-0, 280, jr.), OL Skyler Harmon (6-0, 250, sr.). 2011 summary: Marion won just one of its first seven games, but closed the regular season by scoring 122 points in three Southwest District wins, losing only in the league to powerhouse Richlands 49-0. The Hurricane also split with Smyth County rivals Chilhowie and Northwood. Tunstall blasted the Scarlet Hurricane 49-14 in the playoffs. Outlook: The Scarlet Hurricane features the return of all-SWD players Richardson and Gullion. Richardson rushed for 958 yards in the regular season, while Gullion caught 30 passes for 532 yards. Lincoln is a large target at receiver. Cullop is among the leaders on defense and was an all-SWD player in 2011. The big loss to graduation was QB Marshall Wagner, who passed for 1,515 yards. Cook takes the job this year. Carroll took his first team to the playoffs. This season should be slightly better in the win column.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THE ROANOKE TIMES

PIEDMONT DISTRICT
BASSETT
Coach: Jay Gilbert (eighth season) Record at Bassett: 53-41 Last season: 3-8, 2-2 (lost in Region IV Division 4 first round) Returning offensive starters: 8 Returning defensive starters: 9 Players to watch: RB Chris Martin (5-9, 167, jr.), NT Desmon Hairston (6-0, 330, soph.), LB Eddie Bowman (6-0, 199, sr.), QB MacKenzie Lawson (6-0, 174, sr.), KR Daniel Martin (5-7, 163, sr.), RB-DB Tra Ross (5-8, 164, sr.), FB Dashaun Valentine (6-0, 207, sr.), DE Roger Woody (6-3, 264, sr.), TE-DE Ryan Wilkerson (6-2, 210, jr.), S Tay Ross (5-10, 159, jr.). 2011 summary: Bassett finished third in the Piedmont and lost 24-10 in the first round of the Region IV Division 4 playoffs to Hidden Valley following a regular-season loss to the Titans. A four-game stretch of nondistrict games against Patrick Henry, Jefferson Forest, Christiansburg and Franklin County was brutal. Outlook: The Bengals should be improved with 17 returning starters. However, the nondistrict schedule is the same as last years and very difficult. Bassett has quite a few speedsters and runs the read-option. Valentine, the leading returning rusher and scorer after picking up 767 yards, joins Lawson, Martin and Tra Ross as offensive threats. Hairston is a space eater on defense and the double-team he frequently draws allows linebackers to get in and make plays. Bassett will be back in the playoffs and the Bengals could win a postseason game for the first time since 2006. (5-9, 201, sr.), LB Malik Adams (6-2, 215, jr.), QB Calin Jamison (5-11, 178, jr.). 2011 summary: Magna Vistas high-powered offense led to a perfect regular season, thanks in part to an outstanding senior year from QB Harvey Taylor, who set a Timesland career total offense record with more than 9,000 yards. Taylor, a walk-on at Old Dominion, passed for 1,786 yards and rushed for 1,476 more last year. Top target DeShaun Penn graduated after catching 42 passes. The Warriors beat Salem in overtime to reach the regional final, where they lost 46-12 to Christiansburg. Outlook: The Warriors must replace nearly every offensive starter. Look for less running out of the quarterback position and more involvement from the slot receivers. Bryce Hankins is a speedy threat out of the backfield and at receiver and Brent Hankins is a dangerous return man. Mabin and Hairston help lead a sound defense. Depth was added when several players including Adams transferred from Carlisle after the Chiefs couldnt field a team. Magna Vista might still be the team to beat in the Piedmont. A playoff berth is a virtual certainty but a regional final might be too much to ask. games against Bassett, Tunstall and Carroll County by one score or less so those games could have very well gone the other way. Outlook: The Bulldogs lost QB Ishmael Hairston and DB-WR Damian Patterson, but they return enough starters to be dangerous in the Piedmont. All three leading rushers from 2011 are also gone. Simington, Williams, Hodge and Taylor give the Bulldogs good size along the defensive line. Williams, Christy and Thurman are capable of opening some good holes for Garcia to run through. Martinsville had mixed results in preseason scrimmages. Regardless of the Bulldogs regular-season record, they could be a threat in what shapes up to be a weaker region than it was last year. Coach: Kenny Perry (first season) Last season: 0-10, 0-5 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 3 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: RB Brian Drewery (5-6, 155, sr.), QB Tre Penn (6-1, 170, so.), LB Marquise Nowlin (6-1, 240, sr.), WR Meeche Dillard (5-6, 150, sr.), DT Brode Corns (6-2, 270, sr.), ATH Zack Tickle (5-11, 140, so.) DE Doug Nester (6-2, 210, jr.), LB Kody Katzer (6-0, 195, jr.), OT Alex Gomez (6-1, 280, jr.), WR LaWarren Dillard (6-3, 185, sr.) 2011 summary: Patrick County went through another brutal year in 2011, failing to score in four games and averaging less than six points per game while surrendering over 40. Two opponents hit the 60-point mark. After back-to-back 0-10 seasons, Brad Dalton was replaced as head coach by Perry, a former player at North Carolina A&T, Outlook: The Cougars, staring at a 21-game losing streak, are completely rebuilding. First-team all-Piedmont LB Nowlin leads the Cougars on defense. Corns is a big, strong defensive tackle. Drewery is very quick and versatile, being able to play both running back and quarterback. Meeche Dillard is a quick receiver and LaWarren Dillard is a big target. Tickle is quick, athletic and versatile and could be a big contributor on offense. Patrick County has the tools to improve, but the nondistrict schedule has some very tough hurdles. One or two wins would rate as a success.

2011 STATS
SCORING Wright, C.Spring M.Jones, J.Forest X.Rodriguez, Grayson *C. Akers, Catholic Taylor, M.Vista Helton, Covington B.Kessinger, Giles Bishop, Salem B.Johnson, Chilhowie J.Moon, S.River T.Haynie, Glenvar Vaughan, Galax *Deer, Catholic Caudill, R.Retreat George, Galax J.Mabry, Glenvar Mitchell, Giles Snell, Christiansburg Dunbar, Craig E.Anderson, N.Cross Gunter, Carlisle Turpin, G.Wythe T.Fisher, Northside Richardson, Marion Wheeler, P.McCluer Young, G.Wythe Valentine, Bassett I.Hairston, Martinsville D.Harris, Floyd Dooley, Glenvar Tolley, G.Wythe Coleman, Carlisle Hawks, G.Wythe Brady, Galax Hamley, Christiansburg Abell, Rockbridge Lightfoot, Liberty Ollie, P.Henry Wagner, Marion Hash, Carroll S.Peoples, Galax Chance Tyree, Franklin Z.Williams, R.Retreat RUSHING Wright, C.Spring J.Moon, S.River Helton, Covington M.Jones, J.Forest *Deer, Catholic B.Kessinger, Giles Taylor, M.Vista Bishop, Salem X.Rodriguez, Grayson L.Wheeler, P.McCluer B.Johnson, Chilhowie E.Anderson, N.Cross Zheng, Rockbridge Vaughan, Galax Abell, Rockbridge *Akers, Catholic Dunbar, Craig Horstmann, W.Byrd Tolley, G.Wythe Mitchell, Giles Richardson, Marion Snell, Christiansburg Turpin, G.Wythe Jordan Daniels, Salem Hagins, Fleming Chance Tyree, Franklin D.Harris, Floyd Young, G.Wythe Brand, H.Valley David, Bland Co. Dooley, Glenvar Valentine, Bassett Robertson, Narrows Leonard, EMont F.Williams, Martinsville Whorley, P.Henry I.Hairston, Martinsville McClanahan, Pulaski Prince, P.Henry Conley, Chilhowie Mullins, Auburn Chris Tyree, S.River R.Rodriguez, F.Chiswell Caudill, R.Retreat S.Peoples, Galax Rigney, Pulaski Hill, W.Byrd Keys, Franklin Colton Akers, Carlisle King, J.River Z.Williams, R.Retreat Fowler, J.Forest Carter, M.Vista Hodges, Carroll J.Mabry, Glenvar Ouellette, Craig Sisson, EMont Thompson, Botetourt Hash, Carroll RECEIVING Gunter, Carlisle T.Haynie, Glenvar Nicely, Alleghany Murray, N.Cross Hollandsworth, Floyd Penn, M.Vista Mike Rodgers, Grayson Quesenberry, Auburn Stevers, J.River Fisher, Northside Gingrich, J.Forest K.Kessinger, Alleghany Gullion, Marion Edwards, Salem Gravely, F.Chiswell B.Johnson, Chilhowie Cundiff, N.Cross George, Galax Kite, H.Valley Worrell, Floyd Coleman, Carlisle Foster, R.Retreat Helm, Salem Parsell, Auburn Phillips, Botetourt PASSING Hardister, Northside Bradley, Alleghany Weaver, N.Cross Taylor, M.Vista Wagner, Marion C.Mabry, F.Chiswell J.Mabry, Glenvar King, J.River Max Rodgers, Grayson Mitchell, Carlisle M.Jones, J.Forest Underwood, Floyd Prince, P.Henry Z.Williams, R.Retreat Spencer, Auburn Simonic, H.Valley Cline, Botetourt Hill, Salem Pack, Galax Valentine, Bassett Helton, Covington Lundy, Carroll Motley, Christiansburg T.Robertson, Bath Abell, Rockbridge Marshall, Radford Ellis, Franklin Willis, G.Wythe Kingery, C.Spring I.Hairston, Martinsville PUNTING G.Lee, Giles Coleman, Carlisle Hawks, G.Wythe Z.Atwood, Bassett Fields, EMont Conte, P.Henry Sims, J.Forest Morgan, Christiansburg Johnston, Pulaski Quinn, Botetourt Rayburn, Franklin Weaver, N.Cross Abell, Rockbridge Wrights, Bath Findley, Radford Hash, Carroll Jackson, Northside Foster, R.Retreat INTERCEPTIONS Jennings, S.River Baltazar, G.Wythe Pinigis, J.Forest Wilson, Rockbridge Bilbrey, Grayson T.Haynie, Glenvar Helton, Covington Rhudy, Grayson Wagner, Marion TACKLES Atwood, G.Wythe Sickey, Floyd Simpson, Alleghany Meador, W.Byrd Hagins, Fleming Witcher, M.Vista Adam Doll-Hennis, Rockbridge Ellis, S.River Dooley, Glenvar Kite, H.Valley White, Craig Hodges, Carroll Vance, Chilhowie Long, Pulaski Scott, Christiansburg Youngblood, Rockbridge Wagner, Marion Bowman, Bassett King, J.River Allen, Pulaski H.Jones, Martinsville Rigney, Pulaski OBerry, Radford C.Harris, Covington R.Hairston, Martinsville Ilardo, Blacksburg Shuler, Chilhowie White, S.River Grant, Blacksburg Robertson, Narrows Wynn, G.Wythe Deacon, J.River Stinespring, Bath Benitez, Radford Flici, H.Valley A.Harris, Rockbridge King, Pulaski Mabin, M.Vista Bryant, C.Spring Unroe, Alleghany Alley, Craig Snavely, G.Wythe Turpin, G.Wythe *Deer, Catholic Richardson, Marion Kelly, R.Retreat Muse, Northside Nelson, Giles SACKS Wynn, G.Wythe Noble, Glenvar Harris, Rockbridge Stone, Fleming Saunders, Radford Reiter, C.Spring Smith, N.Cross TACKLES FOR LOSS Shuler, Chilhowie Stone, Fleming Caudill, R.Retreat J.Atwood, G.Wythe Deacon, J.River Reiter, C.Spring Wynn, G.Wythe Hagins, Fleming Dooley, Glenvar Hodges, Carroll OBerry, Radford Muse, Northside Parsons, Galax Mesadieu, P.Henry TD XPT FG 29 4 0 27 0 0 24 4 0 17 15 1 21 2 0 19 8 0 19 0 0 18 2 0 17 4 0 17 2 0 8 48 2 16 0 0 15 4 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 14 2 0 14 0 0 14 0 0 14 0 0 13 0 0 13 0 0 13 0 0 13 0 0 12 2 0 12 0 0 12 0 0 11 0 0 11 2 0 5 24 2 0 53 3 0 43 6 0 49 4 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 9 4 0 9 0 0 9 0 0 9 0 0 ATT 301 257 238 224 208 172 178 195 121 179 198 169 172 139 138 133 148 183 85 106 147 111 89 164 181 147 142 61 165 127 105 152 154 126 126 118 136 146 110 94 185 68 126 93 59 121 92 109 109 119 90 122 88 106 90 123 108 136 65 YDS AVG 2055 6.8 1733 6.8 1726 7.3 1482 6.6 1437 6.9 1348 7.8 1267 7.1 1263 6.5 1256 10.4 1253 7.0 1233 6.2 1127 6.7 1124 6.5 1111 8.0 1056 7.5 1145 8.6 992 6.7 986 5.4 978 11.5 963 9.1 958 6.5 936 8.4 929 10.4 924 5.6 924 5.1 842 5.7 828 5.8 815 13.4 798 4.8 782 6.2 782 7.4 767 5.1 765 5.0 761 6.0 751 6.0 747 6,3 746 5.5 727 5.0 725 6,6 709 7.5 708 3.8 679 9.9 673 5.3 649 7.0 638 10.8 619 5.1 591 6.4 597 5.5 566 5.2 560 4.7 550 5.9 549 4.5 543 6.3 539 5.1 537 5.9 533 4.3 532 4.9 513 3.8 507 7.8 YDS 877 800 478 728 503 713 750 600 504 696 467 436 532 364 623 489 179 561 327 390 259 302 437 173 334 PTS 178 162 148 140 126 122 114 110 106 104 102 96 94 90 90 90 90 90 86 84 84 84 78 78 78 78 74 72 72 66 66 64 62 61 61 60 60 60 60 58 54 54 54 GAVG 205.5 173.3 172.6 148.2 130.6 134.8 126.7 126.3 125.6 125.3 123.3 125.2 112.4 111.1 105.6 104.9 99.2 98.6 97.8 96.3 95.8 93.6 92.9 92.4 92.4 84.2 82.8 81.5 79.8 78.2 78.2 76.7 76.5 84.6 75.1 74,7 74.6 72.7 72.5 78.9 70.8 67.9 67.3 64.9 63.8 61.9 59.1 59.7 62.9 56.0 55.0 54.9 54.3 53.9 53.7 53.3 59.1 51.3 50.7

PATRICK COUNTY

MARTINSVILLE

MAGNA VISTA

Coach: Joe Favero (fifth season) Record at Magna Vista: 29-18 Last season: 11-1, 5-0 (lost in Region IV Division 4 final) Returning offensive starters: 1 Returning defensive starters: 2 Players to watch: RB-S Keon Mabin (6-2, 203, sr.), S Jalen Hairston (6-0, 171, jr.), OT Xavier Greenfield (6-0, 258, jr.), WR Brent Hankins (5-9, 143, jr.), WR Bryce Hankins (5-8, 152, jr.), LB Wesley Bethany (5-11, 178, sr.), DE Tyler Parcell (5-8, 217, sr.), LB Rodney Moore

Coach: Bobby Dalton (fourth season) Record at Martinsville: 14-20 Last season: 6-6, 3-1 (lost in Region IV Division 3 semifinal) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 8 Players to watch: OG-NT Tyshawn Williams (6-1, 290, sr.), SS Larry Perkins (6-4, 210, sr.), DT Darius Simington (6-4, 260, sr.), QB Brandon Carter (6-2, 180, jr.), RB Alberto Garcia (5-7, 200, sr.), TE Jontae Powell (6-2, 250, sr.), OG David Christy (6-0, 280, sr.), C Adam Thurman (5-10, 260, sr.), DE Montarius Hodge (6-1, 200, jr.), DE Taj Taylor (6-0, 220, jr.). 2011 summary: Martinsvilles 6-6 record is a poor indicator of the season they had. They dropped their opening game to eventual Division 3 state champion Brookville, a pair to Cave Spring, and two games by eight or fewer points. However, Martinsville also won

REC 46 39 39 37 34 34 33 32 32 31 31 31 30 27 27 27 26 25 25 25 22 22 22 21 20 C-A-I 105-177-4 127-233-5 127-237-10 72-144-4 88-181-13 85-142-10 78-120-2 86-201-10 54-119-2 78-142-3 66-161-12 81-150-9 70-121-5 41-84-5 71-190-22 84-175-7 67-145-7 56-90-3 46-90-2 71-150-7 43-103-3 56-120-4 39-74-2 52-112-11 52-93-3 41-73-4 32-70-4 29-53-6 49-98-10 42-101-2

TD AVG 12 19.1 8 20.5 7 12.2 8 19.7 5 14.8 7 21.0 6 22.7 3 18.8 1 15.8 10 22.5 2 15.1 5 14.1 3 17.7 2 13.5 4 23,1 3 18.1 2 6.9 11 22.4 2 13.1 4 15.6 4 11.8 4 27.4 4 19.9 1 8.2 2 16.7 YDS 1740 1669 1574 1559 1515 1489 1268 1174 1177 1163 1144 1133 1005 992 984 939 922 850 843 800 764 755 709 705 697 665 659 593 584 551 AVG 47.8 45.4 41.8 40.2 38.8 38.6 38.2 38.2 38.1 38.0 38.0 37.4 37.0 36.9 35.6 35.5 35.5 35.2 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 TOT 140.5 136.0 123.5 117.5 115.5 111.0 108.0 108.0 105.5 104.0 100.0 99.5 95.0 94.0 90.0 89.5 87.5 86.5 86.0 84.0 84.0 84.0 83.5 83.0 82.0 82.0 82.0 81.5 81.0 80.5 78.0 77.0 77.0 76.5 76.5 74.5 74.5 74.5 73.5 73.5 73.0 72.5 72.5 71.5 71.0 70.5 68.0 67.5 13.0 11.0 10.0 9.5 7.0 6.0 6.0 27.0 22.0 21.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 19.0 18.0 18.0 18.0 17.0 16.5 16.0

18 DONTE PEOPLES
Galax

TD PCT 17 59.3 23 54.5 15 53.6 14 50.0 17 48.6 13 59.8 16 65.5 7 42.8 13 45.3 15 55.0 8 41.0 10 54.0 9 57.9 12 48.8 8 37.4 12 48.0 4 46.2 6 62.2 11 51.1 0 47.3 9 41.7 7 46.7 11 52.7 7 43.0 7 55.9 7 56.1 10 45.7 9 54.7 4 50.0 4 41.2 NO YDS 11 526 18 818 11 460 44 1768 33 1247 22 849 32 1225 18 694 46 1754 48 1824 28 1068 31 1159 19 703 34 1290 21 747 31 1100 22 781 13 458

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DISTRICT

BLAND COUNTY
Coach: Harris Hart (eighth season) Record at Bland County: 33-39 Last season: 2-8, 1-4 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 3 Returning defensive starters: 3 Players to watch: OG-DL John Griffith (6-1, 274, sr.) FB-DE Cody Radford (5-11, 242, sr.), OT-DL Tyler Bridges (5-9, 243, jr.), OT-DL Cody Morgan (6-2, 276, jr.), QB-LB Dylan Walker (6-1, 185, jr.), DB-RB Jonathan Faulkner (6-0, 160, soph.), DB-QB Mason Christian (5-8, 125, soph.), DB-RB Aaron Rose (5-10, 171, soph.), OL-LB Jacob Parker (5-9, 166, soph.), OL-DE Dakota Wright (5-10, 160, soph.). 2011 summary: Bland County had back-to-back wins over Division 1 peers Narrows and Northwood in the middle of the season, then the Bears closed with four straight blowout losses. Close setbacks to Holston (21-20) and Eastern Montgomery (27-21) kept the Bears out of the playoffs. Bland was shut out by MED powers Galax and Graham. Graduation losses included FB Jacob Haun and QB Raymond Greene, two of the teams most productive players. Outlook: The Bears have a sophomore-laden roster. Eight sophomores and one freshman are expected to start. Walker started the last four games at QB last year against the best opponents on the schedule. Hes bright, has good size, and understands the games nuances. Hes the only skill position player back since leading rusher Johnny David transferred to Bluefield (W.Va.). The Bears can deploy good size up front with Griffith, Radford and Morgan. With just 24 players, depth is an obvious concern. With a rebuilding year a certainty, the Bears will be a longshot for a Division 1 West playoff berth. and top scorer Trey Jackson. Outlook: The Pioneers appear to have more focus this year. Thomas already has a scholarship offer from West Virginia. Brett Mabry succeeds his brother at QB without having taken many varsity snaps a year ago. He has good size, athletic ability and deportment. Hamm fits the mold of the kind of durable featured back that has been a staple here during the James era. Overall, the team will be physically improved after a strong offseason hoisting weights. Another asset: PK Zane Gregory, a potential difference maker in a tight game. Fort Chiswell is a definite contender for the MED title. A winning season is almost a certainty. (6-2, 202, sr.), RB-S James Williams (5-9, 143, jr.), RB-DB Spencer Roberts (5-5, 143, sr.), WR-CB Lucas Rudy (6-0, 160, sr.), OT-DL Brett Phipps (6-3, 281, sr.), OT-DL Hardin Halsey (6-3, 266, sr.), C-DT Jordan Adams (6-0, 236, jr.), OG-DL Hunter Moore (6-3, 234, sr.) 2011 summary: Grayson County would have been a district champion in any year that Galax didnt go celestial. The Mountain Empire title came down to a showdown of 9-0 teams in Independence against the Maroon Tide, which won 21-6. Grayson County went on to lose at home to Dan River 31-20 in the second round of the playoffs. A lot of firepower graduated with RB Xavier Rodriguez (121 carries, 1,226 yards, 24 TDs). Outlook: The Blue Devils are led by the Rodgers brothers. Max Rodgers was named the Timesland Sizzlin Sophomore of the year on offense after throwing for 1,177 yards and 12 TDs. Mikey Rogers had 33 catches for 750 yards. Roberts and Williams have big shoes to fill, replacing Rodriguez and Darren Anderson. Bruisers such Phipps and Halsey, Moore, and Adams are cause for optimism that the ground game will click. With the Rodgers brothers stretching the field, holes open everywhere. The Devils will be tough to stop. Major challenge: will the defense stand tall in big games? Grayson is playoff-bound the MED favorite.

GALAX

FORT CHISWELL

Coach: Stephen James (eighth season) Record at Fort Chiswell: 41-34 Last season: 5-5, 2-3 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: C-MLB Coleman Thomas (6-6, 295, jr.), WR-DB Desmond Perry (5-11, 175, sr.), HB-DB Daniel Hamm (5-10, 180, sr.), QB Brett Mabry (6-1, 175, jr.), Levi Mooney (5-11, 185, jr.), LT Joe Stoneman (6-1, 205, jr.), LG Austin Widelo (6-2,215, jr.), RG Greg Pistory (6-0, 275, sr.), RT Jordan Crockett (6-4, 300, soph.), TE Lane Edmonds (6-1, 185, jr.) 2011 summary: Fort Chiswell had a puzzling .500 season. The Pioneers hammered Chilhowie 35-7 and Floyd County 30-12. Also, a 41-40 loss to Grayson County was the Mountain Empire thriller of the year. Conversely, a 34-0 dud against neighbor and archrival George Wythe was hard to explain. QB Cory Mabry graduated after passing for 1,489 yards. Also gone are leading rusher Corey Gravely

Coach: Mark Dixon (third season) Record at Galax: 23-5 Last season: 14-1, 5-0 (lost in Group A Division 1 championship) Returning offensive starters: 2 Returning defensive starters: 3 Players to watch: RB-S Donte Peoples (5-7, 175, sr.), RB-S Steven Peoples (5-11, 200, jr.), G-DT Chaz Sizemore (6-1, 185, sr.), LT-DE Jesse Davis (6-0, 185), QB Chris Poole (5-9, 170, sr.), WR-CB Eli Brady (5-7, 160, sr.) DE Zach Marshall (6-1, 180, sr.), DT Ryan Gravely 5-10, 200, sr.), FS Tyler Smith (5-7, 140, sr.), WR-CB Timmy Gable (6-1, 185, sr.). 2011 summary: Galaxs best season ever ended one fourth-down pass completion short of the schools first Group A Division 1 state championship. The Tide averaged 44.1 points per game while limiting teams to single-figure scoring seven times with three shutouts. Sixteen seniors including Region C defensive player of the year Frankie Shalabi graduated. The program cashed in on its success by embarking on a facilities upgrade last spring. Outlook: The Maroon Tide returns the Peoples brothers, who are dynamic athletes on both sides of the line. Poole, a Carroll County transfer, will start at QB. The line will be similar to last year: not real big but quick, athletic, technically sound. Galax has a deep secondary led by senior Junior Espinoza. Galax ought to win a lot of games again and be a leading contender to return to the postseason again for another run at its first state football championship. Dixon is a first-order motivator with an excellent coaching staff. Galax has to see a dropoff, but the Maroon Tide will be in the playoffs again.

NARROWS

GRAYSON COUNTY

Coach: Brett McPherson (seventh season) Record at Grayson County: 33-32 Last season: 10-2, 4-1 (lost in Group A Division 2 second round) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: QB Max Rogers (6-3, 200, jr.), WR-DB Mikey Rogers

Coach: Kelly Lowe (10th season) Record at Narrows: 40-55 Last season: 0-10, 0-5 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: QB-S Rodney Perdue (5-11, 163, jr.), RB-DB Dustin Meadows (5-7, 143, sr.), RB Zach Skeens (5-8, 145, jr.), SE-DB Gavin Givens (6-0, 165, jr.), SE Chandler Burton (6-2, 170, jr.), T Gage Munsey (6-2, 249, jr.), G-DT Tyler Evans (5-10, 203, sr.), LB-P Terrance Martin (5-10, 240, jr.), RB- LB Brandon Stowers (5-8, 178, jr.), OL-DL Logan Kantsios (5-11, 215, sr.). 2011 summary: Narrows extended its losing streak to 13 games, losing eight games by 28 points or more. Balanced against that, the offense scored nine or more points only twice, one of those coming in a 49-12 loss to Giles. Losses to Craig County (28-19) and Bland County (16-8) were the only ones with under double-figure margins. Outlook: The Green Wave got early bad news when incumbent QB Joe Hall broke a collarbone the first scrimmage, recovery time unknown. Perdue, an all-purpose athlete, has the job for now. Burton, a prolific scorer from the basketball team, should be an inviting passing target if there is time to throw. Narrows will need a passing threat to be able to run the ball. Munsey should be able to clear some inside running room even though the Narrows line will often be outsized. Mark it down. The losing streak will end this season, but a trip to the Division 1 West playoffs seems unlikely.

IND AST 103 75 108 58 101 45 93 49 84 63 85 52 81 54 78 60 83 45 83 42 81 38 77 45 78 34 56 76 69 42 58 63 70 35 70 33 45 82 41 86 66 36 56 56 57 53 70 25 59 46 69 26 75 14 63 43 66 30 44 73 56 44 31 92 57 40 45 63 56 41 60 29 48 53 62 25 43 61 66 15 56 34 50 45 50 45 60 23 57 28 55 31 57 22 52 31

THE ROANOKE TIMES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

THREE RIVERS DISTRICT

AUBURN
Coach: Jack Turner (first season) Last season: 0-10, 0-5 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 9 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: QB-CB Gabe Spencer (5-9, 165, jr.), OT-DL Michael Hinkley (6-4, 265, jr.), SB-CB Nick Parsell (5-8, 155, jr.), G-DT Josh Fleenor (6-3, 240, soph.), WR-LB Luke Wilson (5-7, 150, jr.), FB-LB Justin Craft (5-11, 160, soph.), TE-DE Jacob Howard (6-2, 190, sr.), OT-DE Caleb Harless (6-0, 200, jr.), LB Brandon Akers (5-10, 155, jr.), RB-LB Dustin Simpkins (6-0, 190, sr.). 2011 summary: Auburn suffered through a long spiritcrushing grind as a three-year losing streak stretched to 29 games. The injury-riddled Eagles were shut out four times and held to single digits on three more occasions. The defense was worse, yielding an average of 50.5 points per game. The season ended with fewer than 20 able-bodied players available. Coach Phil Collett resigned in December and took a head coaching job in North Carolina. Outlook: The Eagles are learning Football 101 under Turner, a former head coach at Pulaski County and an assistant last year at Franklin County. Nobody did any bragging, but Auburn got the best of two scrimmages. Still, theres an awful long way to go. The new coach has made a solid show of keeping his well-known intensity on the slow burn. Spencer passed for 984 yards and eight TDs, but under duress he threw 22 interceptions and completed just 37 percent. Do not look for him to throw 190 passes in Turners offense. Hinkley is a developing powerhouse up front. Auburn needs to focus on winning one game then go from there.

EASTERN MONTGOMERY

Coach: Mark Poston (seventh season) Record at Eastern Montgomery: 38-28 Last season: 3-7, 1-4 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: QB James Fields (6-4, 190, sr.), RB Darryl Manns (5-8, 140, fr.), OL Michael Early (5-10, 250, sr.), OL Chris Yarbrough (6-1, 190, sr.), WR-S J.T. Shrader (6-0, 160, jr.), WR-CB Ron Ford (6-0, 170, soph.), WR-CB Josh Copen (6-1, 170, sr.), OT-DL Eli Motley (6-4, 300, sr.), LB Troy Rucker (5-7, 160, sr.), MLB Shane Deweese (6-1, 215, soph.). 2011 summary: Eastern Montgomery might have surprised some people with a three-win season, given the graduation losses from the 2010 state Division 1 runner-up team. EastMont beat the teams it was supposed to, including Narrows, Bland County and Auburn. The Mustangs also gave a good account of themselves in a 27-21 loss to Bath County and a 34-22 setback to Covington, both D1 playoff teams. Outlook: The Mustangs will struggle against the strong teams again. An early indication was a scrimmage against Grayson County, a superior opponent in size, athletic ability, and speed. The Mustangs will be similarly outmanned against other teams from the big schools, but theres nothing new about that. History says EastMont will rise to the occasion when playing enrollment peers in Region C. Fields has a chance to have a nice season at QB while Manns figures to makes some exciting plays before hes through. Two teams with three wins made the Division 1 West playoffs last year. Four victories for EastMont might be enough.

8 WILLIAM MINTER
Radford

FLOYD COUNTY

Coach: Winfred Beale (32nd season) Record at Floyd County: 191-133-4 Last season: 3-7, 2-3 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 8 Returning defensive starters: 7 Players to watch: RB-OLB Dorian Harris (5-11, 217, sr.), QB-DB Gus Underwood (6-0, 178, sr.), TE-DE Tyler Vaught (6-3, 197, sr.), SE-DB Matt Barry (5-9, 148, jr.), G-NG Ricky Lawrence (5-11, 291, sr.), FL-DB Cole Worrell (5-10, 171, sr.), HB-DB Vinny Kuchenbuch (5-9, 182, sr.), C-DL Ricky Burnette (5-8, 177, sr.), OG-LB Brent Webster (5-11, 198, sr.), LB Tristan Vest (5-9, 167, jr.). 2011 summary: Floyd Countys season was a disappointment. The Buffaloes won none of their big games, going 0-7 against two state runners-up (Christiansburg, Galax) along with Giles, Radford, Glenvar, George Wythe, and Fort Chiswell. Inconsistent offensive line play, a problem in recent seasons, was again an issue. Harris, one of Timeslands top backs in his first two seasons, dropped off to 828 yards and 12 TDs in 10 games. Outlook: The Buffaloes should be improved. Underwood passed for 1,133 yards last year and is capable of bigger numbers. Fifteen starting positions returning are more than Floyd has featured in many years. The offensive line, which has been accustomed to blocking in the spread offense, has to set the tone. If Harris has room to operate, the Buffaloes could be a factor in the Three Rivers race. The passing game is a threat thanks to a deep receiving corps, but if Floyd cant run the football, any shot at one of the 16 playoff berths in a stacked Division 2 West field will be a mirage.

20 DORIAN HARRIS
Floyd County
Players to watch: SS-RB Dusty Boggess (5-11, 163, sr.), RB-DB Ian Mann (6-0, 178, sr.), RB-DB Garrett Lee 6-1, 181, sr.), BB-LB Chad Randel (6-0, 180, sr.), OG-DT Kearsley Dillon (5-11, 240, sr.), OT-DT Jared Farmer (6-2, 245, sr.), TE-LB Logan Smith (6-0, 208, sr.), TE-DE Cody Rhodes (6-4, 252, jr.), OL-DT Brad Lipes (5-9, 244, jr.), OG-NG Brody Dunford (5-9, 165, jr.) 2011 summary: Giles had an outstanding season by any measuring stick. Wins included a Three Rivers sweep. The Spartans threw an early scare into Christiansburg, and ultimately fell 27-7 to eventual Division 2 state champ Gretna. Potential RB Ethan Mitchell, who ran for 1,244 yards and 18 TDs as a junior, transferred to Group AAA Brooke Point. Outlook: The Spartans have a deep and athletic backfield led by Mann, a talented track and field hurdler. Dillon is one of the strongest players ever in a program known for its weight room stars. The major question is how physical the new defense will be. Lee, who averaged 47.8 yards per punt on just 12 kicks, also is an excellent blocker in the single-wing. He will take over the place-kicking duties from graduated Zach Keaton, who made 56 of 56 PATs last year. With the Radford game at home this year, Giles is a prohibitive favorite in the Three Rivers race and a good bet to advance further in the Division 2 West playoffs. Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: RB-LB Ean Cole (5-11, 190 sr.), RB-LB Bradley Muse (5-9, 175, jr.), QB-DB Levi Mullins (5-10, 165, jr.), WR-DB Jeremy Martin (5-8, 155, jr.), WR-DB Markel Jones (5-10, 150, sr.), WR-LB Kyle Clifford (5-9, 165, jr.), WR-DB Shaquille Bonds (5-11, 160, sr.), OL-DL Jason Ford (5-11, 260, jr.), OL-DL Sean Maloney (6-3, 255, sr.), OL-DL Tristian Crockett (5-11, 220, soph.) 2011: Glenvar had yet another injury-plagued season, losing substantial minutes from key players. Still, the Highlanders made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. After outscoring the last two regular-season foes 126-6, the reward was a losing rematch at Giles. Graduation took RB-DE Seth Dooley, now at Virginia Tech, and star QB Jacob Mabry. Outlook: The Highlanders hope continued emphasis on conditioning and weight training will pay dividends. The return of 10 starters indicates a measure of stability is still in place. Bonds (23 catches) is a big-play target for new QB Mullins. Depth at WR with Martin, Jones and Clifford the coachs son will be a major plus. Size and ability at RB with Cole and Muse enables an attack both between the tackles and on the flanks. Glenvar has yet to make the major breakthrough as a program but has nevertheless evolved into a perennial postseason contender. A second straight playoff trip isnt out of the question. Last season: 8-4, 4-1 (lost in Group A Division 1 second round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: OL-DL Cody Morgan (6-1, 270, sr.), OL-DL Eric Benitez (5-10, 210, jr.), QB-LB Hunter Marshall (5-11, 180, sr.), WR-CB R.J. Jordan (5-11, 160, jr.), WR-DB William Minter (5-10, 180, sr.), PK-P Caleb Findley (6-0, 160, sr.), WR-CB Marcus Finley (5-10, 155, fr.), OL-DL Kenny McPeak (6-0, 265, sr.), WR-DB DAndre Cook (5-10, 175, jr.), C-DL Jordan Wesley (6-2, 315, sr.). 2011 summary: Radford put together a six-game winning streak in the middle of the season but lacked the same consistency down the stretch. The Bobcats led Giles 17-7 before losing 21-17 at home in the TRD title game. Radford lost two big games to George Wythe, including 22-10 in the state Division 1 quarterfinals. The Bobcats offset a 43-0 loss to Galax with close wins over Pulaski County, Virginia High, Glenvar and Giles. Outlook: The Bobcats have potential starting with the return of Marshall at QB, where he passed for 798 yards. The offensive line led by Morgan, Wesley and Benitez is big and physical. Carter, Jordan and Cook each have speed and power. Defense could be the key. The Bobcats have to be better than last year when they couldnt get the big stops when they needed them. An interesting player to watch on that unit is Minter, who has had many ebbs and flows in his career but led the team with nine TDs. Findley is an ace in the hole in a close game. Radford certainly will be one of the 16 teams in the Division 1 West playoffs.

GILES

Coach: Jeff Williams (fifth season) Record at Giles: 27-17 Last season: 10-2, 5-0 (lost in Group A Division 2 second round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 4

GLENVAR

Coach: Kevin Clifford (sixth season) Record at Glenvar: 28-23 Last season: 6-5, 3-2 (lost in Group A Division 2 first round) Returning offensive starters: 5

RADFORD

Coach: Matthew Saunders (sixth season) Record at Radford: 40-20

HOGOHEEGEE DISTRICT
CHILHOWIE
Coach: Larry Russell (12th season) Record at Chilhowie: 80-40 Last season: 6-6, 3-2 (lost in Group A Division 1 second round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 4 Players to watch: QB-S Dylan Thomas (6-1, 160, sr.), WR-DB Reid Sturgill (6-2, 170, sr.), HB-DE Buddy Brooks (6-1, 175, jr.), HB-LB Justin Jones (5-10, 190, jr.), PK-P Derek Farris (5-9, 150, sr.), FB-LB Bryan Vance (5-10, 170, sr.), G-LB Ben Whitley (5-11, 220, sr.), C-DT Dalton Snider (5-10, 230, sr.), TE-LB Hunter Phipps (6-0, 190, sr.), TE-LB Trevor Austin (6-0, 180, sr.). 2011 summary: Chilhowie was nothing of not resilient. In the wake of a 55-10 pasting by George Wythe in Game 8, the Warriors rebounded to play their best ball of the year. The high point of three-straight strong outings was a comeback from a 31-0 halftime deficit for a 39-38 playoff win at Rural Retreat. Chilhowie was crunched 55-7 by eventual state champ Clintwood the next week, leaving Russell with twice as many wins as losses in his tenure. Outlook: The Warriors look to be strong up front. The big question is who will replace Brett Johnson, who rushed for 1,476 yards and caught 30 passes for 516 yards. Jones has the physical good to get the job done. Thomas started the second half of the season at QB. Sturgill is back after catching 15 passes. Chilhowie has two assets that are not immediately obvious. One is a well-stocked roster, one of Timeslands deepest. The Warriors need a big year from Farris, who was 22 of 27 last year on PATs. Dont look for Chilhowie to challenge George Wythe for the Hogoheegee title, but a trip to the Division 1 West playoffs is a good bet.

GEORGE WYTHE

Coach: H.S. Ingo (fourth season) Record at George Wythe: 27-9 Last season: 12-1, 5-0 (lost in Group A Division 1 quarterfinal) Returning offensive starters: 6 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: TE-DE Hardy Lester (6-5, 225, sr.), WR-DB Isaac Baltazaar (6-2, 150, sr.), QB-DB Alex Willis (6-1, 170, sr.), OG Jacob Deane (5-10, 215, sr.), C-DT Neil Pressley (5-9, 275, sr.), OG-DT Chase Altizer (5-11, 220, sr.), RB-LB Justin Snavely (5-10, 205, sr.), RB-LB Jordan Atwood (5-11, 205, sr.), RB-LB Trey Skeens (6-0, 180, soph.), RB-DB Jalen France (6-0, 160, sr.). 2011 summary: George Wythe captured its fifth straight Hogoheegee title, winning its first 12 games before falling

23-13 at home to eventual state Division 1 state champion Clintwood. The Maroons were explosive offensively and stingy defensively, topping 30 points scored 10 different times with a high of 73 in a playoff hammering of Twin Springs. Aside from Clintwood, Wythe begins 2012 with a 15-game regular-season winning streak. Outlook: The Maroons are the favorite to win another Hogoheegee title. Three backs who all topped the 1,000yard mark graduated, but Wythe always has replacements. Lester, who has committed to Richmond, can dominate as a blocker or receiver and is ultra-solid defensively. Willis is a veteran QB whose productive season last year was clouded by a three-interception performance in the playoff loss. Hell have plenty of throwing targets this time around. Lester and Baltazaar can beat defenses short or long. The Maroons wont put up staggering point totals this time, but an extended postseason run is highly possible.

RURAL RETREAT

Coach: Christopher Moore (third season) Record at Rural Retreat: 12-10 Last season: 8-3, 4-1 (lost in Group A Division 1 first round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 8

Players to watch: RB-LB T.C. Caudill 6-0, 170, sr.), RB-CB Dominique Epps (6-0, 170, sr.), DE-TE Jordan Kelly (6-3, 250, sr.), OL-DL Hunter Addison (6-1, 230, jr.), LB-TE Devan Wilson (6-1, 175, jr.), WR-CB Heath Martin (6-1, 150, sr.), WR-S Tyler Holliday (5-7, 130, sr.), TE-LB Travis Anderson (6-2, 210, sr.), QB J.B. Wright (5-11, 160, sr.), TE-LB Jay Linkous (6-0, 240, sr.). 2011 summary: Rural Retreat put itself in position to play for the Hogoheegee title, but the Indians were smashed 42-6 by George Wythe in the regular-season finale. The Indians appeared to have regrouped for the playoffs, taking a 31-0 lead over Chilhowie in a first-round game at home. Instead, the Indians became victims of one of the greatest comebacks in VHSL history as Chilhowie rebounded for a 39-38 victory. Outlook: The Indians have a promising mix of veterans and newcomers. Caudill led the team in rushing with 649 yards, netting 7.0 yards per carry. Epps brings some explosiveness and big play capability to the attack. There are no shortage of skill position players. A lack of experience and just average size up front could be an issue. Kelly led the team in tackles last year, while Caudill had 42 solo stops. The programs outstanding tradition has always been a confidence booster for the players. The defense looked leaky in a benefit game. Even so, pencil the Indians in for at least six wins and a Division 1 West playoff berth.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THE ROANOKE TIMES

PIONEER DISTRICT
BATH COUNTY
Coach: Will Fields (11th season) Record at Bath County: 76-45 Last season: 5-7, 2-2 (lost in Group A Division 1 second round) Returning offensive starters: 3 Returning defensive starters: 5 Players to watch: RB-LB Christian Woodzell (6-0, 220, jr.), RB-DB Raymond Miller (5-10, 190, sr.), OL-DT Adam Neil (5-11, 215, sr.), WR-DB Chris Nichols (6-2, 200, sr.), WR-DB Lucas Hodge (5-9, 150, sr.), RB-DB Ben Wolfe (5-9, 150, jr.), OL-DL Walter Mines (5-10, 205, sr.), RB-DE Tyler Deeds (5-10, 200, sr.), DB-RB Lukas Wells (6-0, 175, sr.), OL-DL Chase Altizer (6-1, 230, sr.). 2011 summary: Bath County came on strong in the second half of the season with a 22-19 loss to Covington in the sixth game seeming to turn things around. The Chargers qualified for the Division 1 East playoffs with the reward being a five-hour bus ride to Franklin to open the playoffs. The Chargers played one of their best games of the year winning 20-12 before returning to this side of the state for a 29-9 loss to Covington. Outlook: The Chargers return a host of running backs, but none of them averaged 50 yards per game rushing last year. Last years top receivers, Aaron Newmarker and Ryan Plecker, graduated along with QB Tyler Robertson. Mines and Altizer will have to open some holes up front until newcomers adjust to their roles. Woodzell is a power back who can run inside. This is a power team well suited for the late season cold of the Alleghany Highlands. Because four victories might be enough to make the East Division playoffs, the Chargers ought to emerge as a playoff contender again assuming key players stay healthy. Coach: Philip King (10th season) Record at James River: 42-50 Last season: 4-6, 3-1 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: QB-DB Kyle King (5-11, 165, sr.), LB-RB Owen Deacon (6-0, 210, sr.), WR-DB Dylan Flint (6-0, 145, sr.), RB-LB Chris Moore (5-8, 145, sr.), WR-LB Dylan Bryan 6-2, 180, sr.), LB-OL Cody Dyer (5-9, 180, jr.), WR-DB Chase Haynes ( (5-9, 150, jr.), OL-DL Cort Clark (6-2, 225, jr.), OL-DL Tyler Cook (5-11, 180, sr.), RB-DL Dakota Harlow (5-10, 160, jr.). 2011 summary: James River closed strong, winning their last three, but it was too little too late to qualify for the 16-team Division 2 West playoffs. The two biggest problems all year were inconsistency and porous defense. In all six defeats, James River gave up at least 35 points. The Knights gave up just 19 points in their last three games combined, capped by a 37-0 rout of Craig County in the season finale. Outlook: The Knights run a spread offense led by King, who passed for 1,174 yards and ran for 560. He threw more interceptions than TDs and completed just 42 percent of his throws. Moore and Deacon give the Knights a nice inside-outside package. Stevers averaged almost 16 yards on 32 catches last year. All five offensive linemen must be replaced. Defensively, James River must improve. King led the team with 45 unassisted tackles at free safety, which indicates ball carriers were breaking through the initial defense. As usual, James River likely will have to win the Pioneer title to make the playoffs, which could be within reach.

JAMES RIVER

2011 STANDINGS
WESTERN VALLEY
DISTRICT OVERALL

x-Franklin County Patrick Henry George Washington William Fleming Halifax County

4 3 2 1 0

0 1 2 3 4

9 7 6 1 2

3 3 5 9 8

BLUE RIDGE
x-Northside Rockbridge County Staunton River William Byrd Alleghany Lord Botetourt 5 4 2 2 1 1 0 1 3 3 4 4 11 9 7 3 4 3 1 3 4 7 6 7

PIEDMONT
x-Magna Vista Martinsville Bassett Tunstall Patrick County 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 11 6 3 5 0 1 6 8 7 10

RIVER RIDGE
y-Christiansburg y-Salem Cave Spring Hidden Valley Pulaski County Blacksburg 4 4 3 3 1 0 1 1 2 2 4 5 12 8 9 7 1 1 2 4 4 5 10 9

SEMINOLE
x-Brookville Jefferson Forest Amherst County Heritage Rustburg E.C. Glass Liberty 6 4 4 3 3 1 0 0 2 2 3 3 5 6 14 9 6 6 5 3 1 0 3 6 5 6 7 9

COVINGTON

Coach: Rod Tenney (first season) Last season: 9-4, 4-0 (lost in Group A Division 1 quarterfinal) Returning offensive starters: 7 Returning defensive starters: 8 Players to watch: TB-CB Troy Helton (5-8, 160, sr.), FB Luke Moye (5-9, 185, soph.), BB-LB Colton Harris (5-10, 180, sr.), WB-CB Brandon Phillips (5-11, 160, jr.), TE-OLB Luke Crawford (6-0, 205, sr.), OT-DT Derek Dressler (6-2, 270, soph.), DT-OG Darryl Tolson (6-2, 225, sr.), TE Colton Howard (5-7, 130, jr.), LB Ashton Oyler (6-0, 150, soph.), OT K.J. Barber (6-0, 225, jr.). 2011 summary: Covington won seven of its last eight, including rematches with Parry McCluer and Bath County in the Division 1 East playoffs. The one loss was a VHSL-record 88-8 debacle in the state quarterfinal loss to Sussex Central. The Cougars won the Pioneer title by the narrowest of margins, edging Bath 22-19 and James River 50-48 in their two biggest regular-season games. Head coach Steve Dressler resigned after the season. Outlook: Tenney was promoted after previous head coaching stops at Bath County and Craig County. He knows the district. Tenney has installed the single-wing offense he learned at Bath, which is bound to have growing pains. No matter what, Helton will get the ball. He has rushed for more than 4,000 yards in three years, including 2,003 last year in 13 games. It might be hard to resist the temptation to simply run Helton behind the tandem of Dressler and Tolson. Covington will be difficult to unseat as the Pioneer champion.

7 KYLE KING
James River
Last season: 3-7, 0-4 (did not make playoffs) Returning offensive starters: 8 Returning defensive starters: 8 Players to watch: QB-DB Cody Dunbar (5-8, 165, jr.), RB-DB Matt Ouellette (5-9, 175, sr.), WR-TE Zach Towers (6-2, 190, sr.), OL-DL Jesse Crowder (6-4, 270, sr.), PK-P Jefferson Lee (5-6, 175, sr.), CB-QB Matthew Bryant (6-1, 165, sr.), OG-DL Austin Bunnell (6-2, 260, sr.), OL-DL Dylan McCallister (5-9, 225, sr.), C-DL Andrew Newby (5-11, 240, jr.), FB-LB Michael Brookman (6-1, 260, jr.), WR-DB Levi Helm (6-1, 170, jr.). 2011 summary: Craig County had a tough year, but the good news is only four seniors were lost to graduation. The Rockets beat the teams they were expected to handle, including winless Narrows and Auburn, but struggled against stronger opponents. In losing six of their last seven games, the Rockets were shut out three times and they scored one TD in another game, finishing in last place in the Pioneer. Outlook: The Rockets have two good backs in Dunbar and Ouellette. Dunbar returns at QB after rushing for 992 yards and 15 TDs and passing for 485 yards. Ouellette ran for 533 yards and seven TDs. Expect a return to the I-formation after the team dabbled in the wing-T and the spread. The defense will change to a four-man front designed to tie up blockers and allow an athletic linebacker corps and secondary to make plays. Posting the third winning season in school history probably is a stretch, but Craig has a solid shot at netting four victories and qualifying for the Division 1 East playoffs.

PARRY McCLUER

CRAIG COUNTY

Coach: Mark McPherson (ninth season) Record at Craig County: 25-55

Coach: Mike Craft (second season) Record at Parry McCluer: 4-7 Last season: 4-7, 1-3 (lost in Group A Division 1 first round) Returning offensive starters: 4 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: OG-DT Trevor Roberts (5-10, 235, sr.), OT-DL Blake Goff (5-11, 220, sr.) , HB-LB Brandon Long (5-6, 160, sr.), HB-LB Raheem Dawson (6-2, 195, soph.), FB-DL Patrick Knick (5-10,215, sr.), C-DL Tyler George (6-2, 240, soph.), E-DB Gunner Beverley (5-11, 170, sr.), E-LB Daquan Dawson (6-0, 170, jr.), QB-DB Morgan Henderson (5-11, 185, jr.), QB-DB Josh Perry (6-2, 170, jr.). 2011 summary: Parry McCluer qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2004 as Craft carried the tag of interim head coach. The longtime assistant was named full-time head coach after the season. After losing to Covington in the regular season finale, Parry McCluer went back to Casey Field the next week to open the Division 1 East playoffs, losing 28-12. Senior Lucas Wheeler rushed for 1,253 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Outlook: The Fighting Blues had a preseason QB battle between Perry, a better drop-back passer; and Henderson, a superior runner. It is possible that Parry McCluer could use both juniors this year, tailoring the position to suit the situation. Parry McCluer has switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-5 in order to take advantage of a large crop of aggressive athletes. Perry will handle the place-kicking and punting. Dawson started on defense last year and played a lot the last three games at running back after Wheeler was injured. PM earned a No. 13 playoff seed in the East with a losing record. Based on that, a postseason return is probable.

SOUTHWEST
x-Richlands Marion Carroll County Abingdon Tazewell 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 11 4 3 3 0 1 7 7 8 10

VALLEY
x-Broadway Harrisonburg Fort Defiance Robert E. Lee Spotswood Turner Ashby Waynesboro 6 4 4 3 2 1 1 0 2 2 3 4 5 5 12 8 6 7 3 1 1 0 3 5 5 7 9 9

HOGOHEEGEE
x-George Wythe Rural Retreat Chilhowie Holston Northwood PH-Glade Spring 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 12 8 6 3 2 1 1 3 6 8 8 9

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE
x-Galax Grayson County Graham Fort Chiswell Bland County Narrows 5 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 14 10 5 5 2 0 1 2 6 5 8 10

OLD DOMINION CONFERENCE

NORTH CROSS
Coach: Stephen Alexander (third season) Record at North Cross: 16-7 Last season: 8-3, 2-1 in VIC (won VIS Division III championship) Returning offensive starters: 1 Returning defensive starters: 1 Players to watch: RB-OLB Evan Anderson (6-0, 195, sr.), OLB Branden Taylor (6-1, 210, sr.), QB Max Revercomb (6-0, 175, soph.), RB-LB Trayvon McGhee (5-10, 190, jr.), LT-DE Eddie Smith (6-3, 230, sr.), CB Harrison Call (5-11, 170, jr.), WR-FS Penn Draper (6-0, 170, jr.), C-LB Sterling Moskal (5-10, 185, soph.), RB-SS Andrew Proctor (5-10, 175, jr.), TE-DE Jimmy Coles (6-0, 205, jr.). 2011 summary: North Cross captured the VIS Division III title by getting on a roll late with the help of a veteran offensive line. Anderson rushed for 1,389 yards and 18 TDs, while Kentucky baseball recruit Thomas Weaver threw four TD passes in the state final against a Norfolk Christian team that had four UVa signees. Taylor made second-team All-VIS on defense for a team that won eight of their last nine games. Outlook: The Raiders have left the VIC for the Charlottesville-based Old Dominion Conference. A young offense line led by Smith and Moskal must open holes for Anderson. Taylor will lead an athletic back seven on defense that may have to carry the team until the offense catches up. Repeating a VIS title will be big longshot as the roster numbers were so low that the Raiders had to cancel a preseason scrimmage against Radford. Two VIS champions are part of a tough schedule that could make a return to the playoffs a difficult proposition.

INDEPENDENT
ROANOKE CATHOLIC
Coach: Bob Price (10th season) Record at Roanoke Catholic: 55-35 Last season: 8-4 (lost in VIS Division 4 first round) Returning offensive starters: 5 Returning defensive starters: 6 Players to watch: RB-DB Patrick Macher (6-1, 165, sr.), RB Nick Fittz (5-11, 175, soph.), QB-DB David Hart (5-10, 144, jr.), RB-S Alex Wall (6-2, 170, sr.), FB-DE Cameron Thompson (6-0, 187, soph.), OG-MLB Ben Price (5-10, 215, sr.), OT-DT Tommy Perini (5-11, 210, jr.), OG-DE Nicholas Ruble (5-10, 194, jr.), TE-OLB Nick Nester (6-3, 198, sr.), OT-DT Sean Bowers (6-0, 235, sr.). 2011 summary: Roanoke Catholic was in a familiar position at the end of last season as the Celtics advanced to the playoffs again. Just like several seasons before, they were eliminated in the first round. Seniors Sean Deer and Christian Akers both rushed for more 1,200 yards, good for 90 percent of the teams offense behind All-VIS tackle Paul Blanton. Outlook: The Celtics are down to just 20 players after an injury to returning wideout Jack Pilgreen in its first scrimmage. He could miss the first half of the season. It is a young group that needs to come together quickly and stay healthy if the Celtics want to return to the playoffs this year. It is going to be a tough chore for Catholic as they have lost one team on their schedule and could lose a second dropping them to eight regular season games. If that is the case, making the first round of the playoffs could be considered a successful season and would be a great confidence boost for the young group.

PIONEER
x-Covington James River Bath County Parry McCluer Craig County 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 9 4 5 4 3 4 6 7 7 7

THREE RIVERS
x-Giles 5 Radford 4 Glenvar 3 Floyd County 2 Eastern Montgomery 1 Auburn 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 8 6 3 3 0 2 4 5 7 7 10

VIRGINIA INDEPENDENT
x-Liberty Christian North Cross Blue Ridge Hargrave Military z-Roanoke Catholic z-Carlisle
x-district champion y-district co-champion z-ineligible for conference title

3 2 1 0 0 0

0 1 2 3 0 0

11 8 6 4 8 4

0 3 4 5 4 5

2011 FINAL TIMESLAND TOP 10

1. Christiansburg (12-2) 2. Magna Vista (11-1) 3. Northside (11-1) 4. Franklin County (9-3) 5. Salem (8-4) 6. Cave Spring (9-4) 7. Rockbridge County (9-3) 8. Galax (14-1) 9. Giles (10-2) 10. George Wythe (12-1)

NORTH CROSS
2011 VIS champs

2011 PLAYOFFS
VHSL GROUP AAA DIVISION 6 First round Eastern Region Oscar Smith 50, Bethel 15 Grassfield 17, Landstown 6 Salem-Virginia Beach 62, Ocean Lakes 28 Bayside 27, Woodside 21 Northern Region Westfield 21, James Robinson 3 West Potomac 35, Chantilly 7 Lake Braddock 50, Oakton 21 Centreville 42, Fairfax 19 Northwest Region Forfeit (Gar-Field 42, Osbourn 37) Franklin County 21, Colonial Forge 14 Region semifinals Eastern Region Oscar Smith 34, Grassfield 14 Salem-Virginia Beach 35, Bayside 21 Central Region Hermitage 14, Thomas Dale 0 L.C. Bird 21, Varina 16 Northern Region Westfield 42, West Potomac 34 Centreville 21, Lake Braddock 18 Northwest Region Battlefield 38, Franklin County 21 C.D. Hylton 54, Osbourn 26 Region finals Eastern Region Oscar Smith 35, Salem 34 Central Region Hermitage 10, L.C. Bird 0 Northern Region Centreville 27, Westfield 24 Northwest Region Battlefield 28, C.D. Hylton 13 State semifinals Oscar Smith 42, Battlefield 14 Centreville 10, Hermitage 9 State championship Oscar Smith 47, Centreville 21 DIVISION 5 First round Eastern Region Hampton 16, Green Run 12 I.C. Norcom 46, Lakeland 28 Phoebus 32, Warwick 14 Lake Taylor 52, Great Bridge 20 Northern Region Stone Bridge 35, Langley 0 South County 31, James Madison 0 Robert E. Lee-Springfield 25, Hayfield 20 Yorktown 20, McLean 6 Northwest Region Brooke Point 42, Mountain View 35 George Washington 42, Massaponax 26 Region semifinals Eastern Region I.C. Norcom 20, Hampton 14 Phoebus 20, Lake Taylor 17 Central Region Hermitage 14, Thomas Dale 0 L.C. Bird 21, Varina 16 Northern Region South County 25, Stone Bridge 3 Yorktown 51, Robert E. Lee-Springfield 15 Northwest Region North Stafford 41, George Washington 7 Brooke Point 47, Broad Run 27 Region finals Eastern Region Phoebus 24, I.C. Norcom 20 Central Region Hanover 31, Atlee 12 Northern Region South County 37, Yorktown 13 Northwest Region North Stafford 43, Brooke Point 35 State semifinals Phoebus 27, North Stafford 26, OT South County 38, Hanover 22 State championship Phoebus 20, South County 10 DIVISION 4 First round Region I Chancellor 31, King George 0 Warhill 21, Jamestown 15 Region II Briar Woods 49, Park View-Sterling 21 Loudoun County 42, Heritage-Leesburg 14 Louisa County 26, Sherando 25, OT Powhatan 44, James Wood 6 Region III Amherst County 19, Heritage-Lynchburg 8 Staunton River 28, Harrisonburg 9 Region IV Hidden Valley 24, Bassett 10 Salem 27, Pulaski County 6 Region semifinals Region I Grafton 20, Chancellor 16 Courtland 20, Warhill 10 Region II Briar Woods 29, Loudoun County 19 Powhatan 35, Louisa County 0 Region III Broadway 50, Amherst County 23 Jefferson Forest 21, Staunton River 7 Region IV Christiansburg 41, Hidden Valley 20 Magna Vista 36, Salem 35, OT Region finals Region I Grafton 38, Courtland 24 Region II Briar Woods 21, Powhatan 7 Region III Broadway 29, Jefferson Forest 14 Region IV Christiansburg 46, Magna Vista 12 State semifinals Briar Woods 31, Grafton 0 Christiansburg 35, Broadway 0 State championship Briar Woods 28, Christiansburg 26 DIVISION 3 First round Region I Poquoson 7, Southampton 0 Lafayette 57, Park View-South Hill 21 Region II Kettle Run 42, Fauquier 0 Tuscarora 28, Warren County 21 Monticello 42, Western Albemarle 40 Liberty-Bealeton 28, John Handley 12 Region III Robert E. Lee-Staunton 13, Fort Defiance 11 Rockbridge County 33, Rustburg 7 Region IV Tunstall 49, Marion 14 Martinsville 46, Abingdon 0 Region semifinals Region I York 35, Poquoson 22 James Monroe 56, Lafayette 21 Region II Kettle Run 32, Tuscarora 0 Liberty-Bealeton 42, Monticello 14 Region III Northside 42, Robert E. Lee 14 Brookville 19, Rockbridge County 14 Region IV Richlands 58, Tunstall 7 Cave Spring 41, Martinsville 9 Region finals Region I James Monroe 45, York 7 Region II Kettle Run 21, Liberty-Bealeton 16 Region III Brookville 21, Northside 7 Region IV Cave Spring 35, Richlands 21 State semifinals James Monroe 14, Kettle Run 7 Brookville 38, Cave Spring 27 State championship Brookville 34, James Monroe 33 DIVISION 2 First round West Section Riverheads 55, Virginia High 0 Stuarts Draft 17, Union 15 Gretna 55, John Battle 13 Giles 44, Glenvar 14 Appomattox County 40, Grundy 7 Wilson Memorial 68, Central-Wise 24 Dan River 33, Gate City 10 Grayson County 35, Graham 15 East Section Goochland 45, Nottoway 7 Central-Woodstock 24, Windsor 8 Buckingham County 42, Stonewall Jackson 12 King William 48, East Rockingham 12 Amelia County 55, Essex 6 Strasburg 34, Clarke County 27 Manassas Park 64, William Monroe 22 Washington & Lee 34, Randolph-Henry 14 Second round West Section Riverheads 21, Stuarts Draft 14 Gretna 27, Giles 7 Wilson Memorial 42, Appomattox County 35 Dan River 31, Grayson County 20 East Section Goochland 45, Central-Woodstock 7 King William 32, Buckingham County 14 Amelia County 14, Strasburg 6 Manassas Park 35, Washington & Lee 34 Quarterfinals West Section Gretna 28, Riverheads 14 Wilson Memorial 43, Dan River 40 East Section Goochland 16, King William 12 Amelia County 40, Manassas Park 12 State semifinals Gretna 20, Amelia County 12 Goochland 47, Wilson Memorial 21 State championship Gretna 21, Goochland 16 DIVISION 1 First round West Section Galax 64, Holston 7 Castlewood 38, Rye Cove 24 J.I. Burton 46, Haysi 26 Honaker 29, Hurley 20 Clintwood 49, Eastside 21 Chilhowie 39, Rural Retreat 38 Radford 45, Thomas Walker 6 George Wythe 73, Twin Springs 35 East Section Sussex Central 68, West Point 6 Altavista 51, Lancaster 26 Bath County 20, Franklin 12 Covington 28, Parry McCluer 12 Northumberland 24, Charles City 22 Central-Lunenburg 63, Colonial Beach 24 William Campbell 40, Rappahannock 13 Mathews 42, Surry County 28 Second round West Section Galax 60, Castlewood 24 Honaker 39, J.I. Burton 34 Clintwood 55, Chilhowie 7 George Wythe 22, Radford 10 East Section Sussex Central 20, Altavista 12 Covington 29, Bath County 9 William Campbell 42, Mathews 0 Central-Lunenburg 14, Northumberland 12 Quarterfinals West Section Galax 48, Honaker 9 Clintwood 23, George Wythe 13 East Section Sussex Central 88, Covington 8 Central-Lunenburg 28, William Campbell 15 State semifinals Galax 50, Central-Lunenburg 14 Clintwood 17, Sussex Central 8 State championship Clintwood 33, Galax 28 VIS DIVISION I State semifinals Liberty Christian 45, Flint Hill 3 St. Christophers 38, Bishop Ireton 34 State championship Liberty Christian 50, St. Christophers 8 DIVISION II State semifinals Christchurch 41, Blue Ridge 8 Potomac School 42, Bishop Sullivan 19 State championship Christchurch 41, Potomac 19 DIVISION III State semifinals Norfolk Christian 43, Isle of Wight Academy 13 North Cross 45, Fredericksburg Christian 0 State championship North Cross 26, Norfolk Christian 0 DIVISION IV State semifinals Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot 49, Fuqua 20 Greenbrier Christian 59, Roanoke Catholic 24 State championship Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot 18, Greenbrier Christian 14

10

THE ROANOKE TIMES

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Covingtons Troy Helton enters his senior year having covered more than 4,100 yards on the football field a figure that complements his 55 touchdowns.

Photos by SAM DEAN | The Roanoke Times

Helton C is poised to go down in history

A career 6,000-yard mark isnt out of the question, but for Covingtons Troy Helton, the goal is simply to win.
By Robert Anderson robert.anderson@roanoke.com 981-3123

OVINGTON The mayor here used to be the Covington High School basketball coach. A former football assistant is the citys postmaster. Troy Helton has a civic duty too. He carries the mail on Friday nights for Covingtons football team.
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound senior usually makes a special delivery. After rushing for 2,003 yards in 2011 as Covington won the Pioneer District title and finished 9-4, Helton stands within range of becoming one of 20 VHSL players to top the 6,000-yard mark for a career. Helton enters 2012 with 4,162 yards and 55 career touchdowns, numbers just as certain to climb as the cost of a stamp. I really hope I get that 2,000 again this year, Helton said. I want to win, though. If I dont get 2,000 and we win, thats all right. Covington has a new offense and a new coach. Rod Tenney, a former head coach at Bath County and Craig County and an assistant at Covington for the past five seasons, will run the singlewing offense he learned at Bath under the late Carl Williams. Tenney will find a way to get Helton the ball. I told him he was born to be the tailback in the singlewing, the new coach said. Hell carry the football. Hes going to have to. S t e v e D r e s s l e r, w h o resigned as head coach after leading the Cougars to the Group A Division 1 quarterfinals, believes Helton can prosper in the tricky offense based on deception. In a way, thats going to help Troy out, Dressler said. Its kind of hard to key on Troy when you dont know whos got the football. Helton was the starting tailback under Dressler as a freshman in 2009, moving to quarterback the next two seasons. Helton ran a spread offense installed by former assistant David Bryant, who now spends his days running the local post office. Helton rushed for 1,454 yards and 23 TDs as a sophomore. Ive got to give [Bryant] a lot of the credit, Dressler said. He had a big impact on Troy.

Troy Helton is transitioning from commanding the spread offense to being in the single-wing. His coach told him he was born to be a tailback in the single-wing.

His stop-and-go and his east and west agility are just absolutely incredible.
Former Covington coach Steve Dressler On Troy Helton

Covington quarterback Troy Helton rushed for 2,003 yards in 2011 as Covington won the Pioneer District title and finished 9-4.

The Roanoke Times | File 2010

When we moved him to QB, we put in the spread offense we picked up from Wofford University. That really spread the field for him. The wiry Helton doesnt need much room to run. When there isnt any, he often leaps over tacklers, using the springs that allowed him to clear 6 feet, 4 inches last spring in the high jump. His stop-and- go and his east and west agility are just absolutely incredible, Dressler said. Helton wears jersey No. 5, and it wasnt a random choice. Its the same number that former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush wore at Southern California. I used to watch all their games, Helton said. I tried to see what he did, and take it to the field. Reggie Bush was a standout cutter. He used to juke everybody. Im really quick, but its

the speed Im trying to work on this year. Helton said he also is working on something else, his grades. His sub-2.0 career numbers in the classroom have turned some recruiters away. Tenney, whose son Corey is a junior offensive lineman at Marshall University, said Helton might be a candidate to qualify for entry to a Conference USA program such as the Thundering Herd under Proposition 48. I talked to the high school recruiting director up there, Tenney said. They want us to send a highlight tape. High on their priority list is a Prop 48 running back. They have a young kid in there, and they want somebody to take his place. They want to look at him. If he could get to a program that could put 25 pounds on him and have him not lose a step, he could be a force. College is not on Heltons mind as the Cougars embark on their season opener against Alleghany. At stake in the neighborhood rivalry is the Brackman Cup, which Covington has never won. Alleghany slammed Covington 47-0 in 2011. Were going to get it back the 24th, Helton said. I cannot wait for that game. Last year, thats in the past. Were not worrying about last year. Well, almost. Covingtons program is still reeling somewhat from last years Division 1 quarterfinal playoff loss at Sussex Central. The Cougars lost in

a VHSL-record 88-8 rout that featured an even more incredible 74-8 halftime score. Helton threw a secondquarter TD pass and added a two-point run for Covingtons only scoring. That game was ridiculous, Helton said. Theres no way, like, 88 to 8. We just gave up. We were nervous. I think we were a little intimidated. We got off the bus, it was a new environment. That loss was crazy. You learn from it. You take that loss and you want to get back and finish it off. We mention it every day. I want to play them again, honestly. I liked it. I thought it was awesome. I want a rematch. Dressler put the mismatch against Sussex into perspective. It was like they had 10 Troy Heltons, but they were all bigger, he said. Helton will leave a big mark on Covingtons program. He is well within range of becoming the No. 3 career rushing leader in Timesland history behind VHSL recordholder O.J. Thomason of William Byrd and former Patrick County star John Harris. The Covington seniors numbers would be even more impressive had he not missed several games with an ankle injury as a freshman. Helton never blinked an eye when he made the Cougars lineup as a 140-pound ninth-grader. I loved it, he said. I loved all the hype. But to me, it was just football. It was my dream.