A good crowd was on hand for Friday’s scrimmage

Heading into the 2018 Ridgeview Wolfpack football season, all the talk centered around sophomore sensation running back Trenton Adkins.

However, it was another running back whose star shone the brightest during the Wolfpack’s scrimmage with the Lebanon Pioneers on Rose Ridge Friday evening.

Senior Matthew Sexton, a transfer from Eastside, ran through, around and over the hapless Pioneers on his way to a 60 yard touchdown during the untimed portion of the scrimmage.  Sexton would go on to add two more scores during the timed portion of the scrimmage, from two yards and 43 yards, respectively.  Sexton also showed his prowess on defense, delivering several bone jarring hits from his linebacker position to Pioneer receivers.

Ridgeview would score five times throughout the untimed portion of the scrimmage.  Sexton’s two scores were the only scores during the timed portion of the scrimmage.

Ridgeview’s Matthew Sexton

Overall, it was an impressive showing for the Wolfpack.  With the scrimmage now in the rear view mirror, here are some other highlights and takeaways from the opening taste of football for the 2018 season.

• Sexton may have impressed Wolfpack Nation the most. However, he wasn’t the only one who found the end zone.  Junior Alijah Sproles scored on a 7-yard scamper.  Senior Jacob Hensley scored on a 60-yard pass from senior quarterback McKenzie Sproles.  Freshman Bryson Mullins scored on a 7-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Nicholas Phillips.  Senior Quinn Turner also scored on a TD reception.
• The line play from Ridgeview was phenomenal.  The offensive line in particular was very impressive.  The offensive line was able to open up holes time after time to help spring Adkins, Sexton and Sproles for huge gains.
• On the defensive side, the defensive line mauled the Pioneers and didn’t allow many gains of positive yardage.  The line continuously broke through the Pioneer offensive line sending the quarterback scrambling.  Unfortunately for Lebanon, the QB usually scrambled right into the waiting arms of a Ridgeview defensive lineman or linebacker.

Next up for the Pack is a benefit game next Friday against the defending 1A runner up Chilhowie Warriors.  The game against the Warriors is highly anticipated and promises to be a tougher test for the Pack in preparation for the season opener against Grundy.

Brian Owens

I was born a Haysi Tiger but unfortunately succumbed to a broken heart on a cold rainy afternoon in King William, Virginia on December 6, 2014.

However, I was reincarnated as a Wolf, and became a runner of the Ridgeview Wolfpack on August 28, 2015.  You now hear me howling most autumn Friday nights high atop Rose Ridge in Dickenson County or anywhere else my Pack of hungry Wolves may be, from Grundy to Falcon Hill or from Ben Hur to Pikeville, Kentucky.

I never wolfed down (pun very intended) a Tiger Taco like Mr. Brady Hess, but I was and still am known to devour a pizza from Pizza Factory on Main Street in Haysi.

I have always wanted to write about sports and now I have the opportunity to thanks to those who have built this wonderful place on the world wide web.  Hope y’all enjoy.