Welcome back, Bearcat fans! Here is the official Coalfield Sports preview of the 2018 Virginia High Bearcats.
Expectations are high this season for the Bearcats. They are led by a close-knit group of seniors, with a supporting cast of underclassmen. This should make for fun times in Bristol this fall. Here are some key returnees for the Bearcats, who are led by head coach Michael Crist.
SENIORS
AARON ROSE #2 LB/RB/FB…. Aaron returns for his senior campaign after having an all-state junior campaign in 2017. Aaron is a four year starter at linebacker that is a two time all-district selection, 2017 1st Team all-region linebacker, and a 2017 honorable mention all-state linebacker. He was named an all-district running back in 2017. Last season, Aaron led the Bearcats with more than 130 tackles. Rose also lead the team in rushing yards while only being third on the team in carries, yards per carry and rushing touchdowns. Aaron spent the spring on the camp scene, while taking visits to a number of division 1 and division 2 colleges. Throughout this time, he added 20 pounds to his frame in the weight room.
JAMIE LATHROP #1 QB…. Jamie comes into 2018 in his second year as the Bearcats’ starting quarterback. He started at cornerback as a freshman and wide receiver as a sophomore. In 2017, he was voted all-district quarterback, while leading the Bearcats in total yards from scrimmage, total touchdowns and was 3rd on the team in rushing yards. Jamie is a versatile athlete that helped lead the Bearcats’ baseball team to a state championship appearance this spring as the starting centerfielder.
AUSTIN DAVIDSON #21 WR/CB/KR/PR…. Austin enters 2018 in his second year as a starter at wideout and as the Bearcats’ top return man. With phenomenal vision and a high football IQ, Austin spent 2017 putting the Bearcats’ offense in prime position with his return skills, while adding multiple return scores. Austin is also known as, “Mr. Reliable,” on third down from his slot position. Austin is a hard worker on and off the field. He also helped lead the Bearcats baseball team this spring as their second baseman.
COLTON RATCLIFF #7 WR/OLB/K/P…. Colton enters 2018 in his second year as a starter on the defensive side of the ball. In 2017, Colton was voted all-district and second team all-region utility player on defense. Ratcliff also had an outstanding year on special teams, blocking a total of six kicks last season. In 2018, Colton’s role will expand to playing multiple positions on offense. In addition to his new role on offense, Colton will be the team’s new kicker and punter. Colton is also a standout on the Bearcats’ soccer team that has made two state appearances in the last three years.
TAUREAN BIZZELL #6 CB/WR…. Taurean enters 2018 in his second year as a starter at cornerback and will also see time at wide receiver. In this author’s opinion, Taurean was the most improved player on the team from 2016 to 2017. Taurean led the Bearcats’ defense in interceptions last season and became a reliable run stopper. Taurean is another two-sport standout at VHS. This past spring, he was voted first team all-state as the goalie for the Bearcats’ soccer team.
OTHER RETURNING SENIORS EXPECTED TO MAKE AN IMPACT
DAUNTE HARRIS #77 NT/OG (BHC Write up) Check out @BHCSports’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/BHCSports/status/1025936311595745280?s=09
SEAN WATKINS #74 LT/DE
JALON DINGUS #54 OLB/OG
TRAVIS WILLIAMS #61 C
JUNIORS
RETURNING JUNIORS EXPECTED TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
MICHAEL BRADLEY #14 OLB/RB/WR
HUNTER WRIGHT #23 WR/S
COOPER GOBBLE #56 OLB/OG
SOPHOMORES
RETURNING SOPHOMORE EXPECTED TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
JEAN MULUMBA #3 DE/H-BACK
These are some of the young men that have put in a tremendous amount of work to help lead the Bearcats in search of a Southwest District Championship and more.
Below is some more helpful info for the upcoming season;
2018 SCHEDULE
Virginia High
Virginia High
BEARCAT RADIO https://www.spreaker.com/user/bearcatradio
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GO BEARCATS!!
My name is Doug Rose, and I’ve been a lifelong sports enthusiast. I’m 39 years old and I have 2 kids. My daughter is headed to Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky, to throw shot put and discus. My son is a senior at Virginia High School, and has been a starter in 2 sports since his Freshman year. They are the two reasons I am proud to be a Bearcat Dad.
I’ve been married for 20 years to the love of my life, LeAnn, who will be responsible for many of the pictures I post. LeAnn and I are 1997 graduates of VHS, where I played both baseball and football. I was fortunate enough to have the baseball team win a State Championship, while I was in school in 1996.
