
A bus trip from Hurley to Shawsville is no Sunday drive.
It is even worse when you blow a 12-point lead.
That was the case for the Hurley Rebels this past Friday as they took on the Eastern Montgomery Mustangs.
Dylan Owens found Justin Tyree on a seven-yard strike with 38.4 seconds left in the contest to give Eastern Montgomery their first lead of the game. That is all it took, as the Mustangs took home a 14-12 victory.
Hurley took a 12-0 halftime lead into the half behind the hard-nosed running of tailback Matthew Blankenship. The Rebels tailback took in plunges from nine and two yards out.
Blankenship’s two touchdowns were a result of 96 yards on 20 carries in the heartbreaking loss.
In Hurley’s week one win, Blankenship amassed 81 yards and a touchdown in the Rebels’ 18-7 victory over Rye Cove.
Behind his 177 rushing yards, Blankenship will lead the Rebels on their third consecutive road trip to start 2018. The Rebels will take part in their first interstate battle as they hop across the border to the Bluegrass state to take on Pike Central (KY).
The Pike Central Hawks are looking to notch their first win in 2018 after starting 0-2. The Hawks lost a heartbreaker in double overtime to Shelby Valley in week one, 43-35. The Hawks look to avenge themselves this week against Hurley after a 36-0 trouncing at Bell County in week two.
Much like Hurley, the Hawks will come out in the wing-T and single wing. However, the Hawks should be able to outnumber the Rebels on Friday.
While the Rebels offense has primarily worked through Blankenship, quarterback Chad Justice has shown what he can do. The Rebels signal caller was 4-of-4 for 108 yards in Hurley’s opener against the Golden Eagles of Rye Cove. Taylor Justus can also cause some damage as the primary receiver in the wing-T offense that Hurley takes pride in. Against Rye Cove, Justus had 105 yards on three snags.
Look for Jacob Sutherland to pick back up where he left off this week after a big game against Eastern Montgomery last week.
Will Billy Idol yell as Hurley regains their road trip traction or will Pike Central find their first win of the season?

I am a graduate of Richlands High School—class of 2014. In May 2018, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Journalism and History with a minor in war and Society from Virginia Tech.
My passions in life are numerous. We don’t have all day. This is not the place to divulge into Hokie Football, so I will shed some light on one of my other favorites.
I was born and raised in the coalfields of southwest Virginia—Richlands to be exact. I remember the first time I ever went to a high school football game (Richlands-Tazewell ’02). Since then, a passion has grown that is stronger than the current in the Clinch River. As a football player in this region, I was able to witness the passion oozing out of the hills firsthand. It was something that when I began college, people had a hard time believing the spectacle that is high school football in the coalfields. Luckily, I was able to go 42-8 in between the white lines on Fridays and Saturdays from 2010-2013. I look forward to having another platform to tell you my stories, your stories and their stories. Here’s to the good times and hoping I don’t leave you like I did Coach Greg Mance numerous times—by saying, “Gosh Durn It!”
Let’s talk, SWVA sports, Hokies, history or maybe even barbecue.