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After a heartbreaking loss in Shawsville in week two to Eastern Montgomery, the Hurley Rebels traveled across state lines in search of redemption. However, the Rebels retreated back from the bluegrass state of Kentucky with a similar result.
Hurley dropped to 1-2 on the season after a 45-6 thumping at the hands of Pike County Central last Friday. The Rebels got it within a point in the second quarter after a two-yard touchdown plunge by Matthew Blankenship. However, that would be all for the Rebels as the Hawks posted 38 unanswered points.
Hurley gained 126 yards on the ground on 32 rushes. Dustin Stinson churned out 68 yards on nine carries while Blankenship added 44 yards on 13 carries with the lone Rebel touchdown.
Dylan Hall led the Rebels defensive attack with nine tackles in Kentucky.
Hurley returns to the Cliff after three long road trips to Rye Cove, Eastern Montgomery and Pike Central in the first three weeks of the season.
There is no place like home. Especially The Cliff. Smiley Ratliff Field is one of the most unique homefield advantages in not only southwest Virginia, but the entire state.
The Cliff will be jumping when the River View (WV) Raiders come to town. It will be the third and final opponent on the Raiders schedule from the Commonwealth. River View opened their season against McDowell County rival Mount View with a 41-0 loss. The past two weeks have brought similar results. The Raiders welcomed Grundy to Mitchell Estep Field in week two, only to see Gabe Fiser break Grundy’s record for most rushing yards in a game, in the Golden Wave’s 40-12 victory. Last week, the Raiders traveled to Bulldog Stadium where they fell to Tazewell by a score of 61-38.
Tazewell’s Chancellor Harris led the Bulldogs with 229 rushing yards, four touchdowns and five two-point conversions. The sophomore also wreaked havoc on the Raiders offense by recording 14 tackles. However, the Raiders offense had their best game to date against J’Me Harris’ squad.
The Raiders amassed 326 rushing yards behind strong performances from Dalton Roberts, Jacob Collins and Robert Baker. Roberts ran for 55 yards on 12 carries. The quarterback was also able to find the end zone twice on the ground. His attack did not stop there as he was 3-of-3 through the air for 52 yards and a score.
Jacob Collins’ 12 carries amassed 88 yards for the Raiders with a touchdown. Robert Baker found similar success with 16 carries for 84 yards and a score.
Freddy Dawson was on the end of Roberts one touchdown strike. He finished with 20 receiving yards. Dawson also reeled in both of Roberts’ two-point conversion passes.
Everywhere you look on Thursday in Hurley there will be a Wing-T. Both teams look to run the ball right down your throat.
Hurley’s Blankenship has 221 yards in this short season. Luckily for him, it does not appear this River View run defense is tough.
The Raiders defense has allowed 336 and 229 to the feature back in consecutive weeks. Is this the night that Blankenship has all the Rebels at The Cliff doing the Rebel Yell? If history has anything to do with it, it could very well be the case.
This will be the second contest played in the series between these two schools. Hurley took home a 22-12 victory from Bradshaw in 2017 in the inaugural meeting between the schools.
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.