Welcome to Coalfield Sports’ Game of the Week Poll!
Throughout the season we will be selecting five games each week for our weekly pick’em segment on the SWVA Sports Podcast. Co-Hosts Ryan Dye and Brady Hess will keep a running total of their picks along with a collective total of the weekly guest picker!
With so many great games each week to choose from, we’re going to need your help in selecting the Coalfield Sports’ Game of the Week! So while you’re here, scroll to the bottom to cast your vote for week two!
Narrows at Bland:
It’s the 28th edition of “The Battle at Wolf Creek.”
The Green Wave defeated the Bears by a score of 52-0 in 2017. Narrows holds 17-10 series advantage.
Narrows is coming off an 11-2 season, which was their best since 1979. Matthew Morgan will lead the Wave into battle against the Bears after having two touchdowns in their week 1 comeback win vs. Auburn.
Bland County is fresh off a 38-16 week 1 win vs. Craig County. Sammy Bright led the Bears with 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Rockets.
Union at Richlands:
“The Game” has quickly became one of the most competitive rivalries in the state. All eight games have been decided in the fourth quarter or overtime by less than 10 points.
Union opened the season with a 35-20 win over J.I. Burton in which Bears’ tailback Avery Jenkins had 227 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Union quarterback will be anxious to face the Blues after unfortunately tearing his ACL in this matchup last season.
The Blue Tornado bounced back in week 1 after a disappointing 4-7 record in 2017. Richlands traveled to Gate City and came back with a 42-7 victory over the Blue Devils. Race Moir lead the passing attack, going 16-21 for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
Galax at Radford:
Galax travels north to take on Radford in the 49th matchup of the storied series.
Galax, a perenial powerhouse in 1A over the last decade, is led into battle by quarterback Gage Cooke & their new look offense. Cooke completed 7-of-9 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns last week against Glenvar. Maroon Tide tailback Blake Brown ran for 109 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Radford looks to avenge their 17-14 loss from last season vs. the Maroon Tide. The Bobcats were successful in their first game against George Wythe. Quarterback Zane Rupe completed 12 of his 17 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Bobcats victory. Talented sophomore PJ Prioleau had 22 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Twin Valley at Montcalm:
The 12th game of this series in 2017 was a dramatic one, with the Montcalm Generals gutting out a win vs. the Panthers from Pilgrim’s Knob.
Twin Valley opened their season with a 54-18 win over Jenkins, KY. The win marked the 50th win in program history. The Panthers were led by Brandon Lester’s 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Tylor Keen had 10 carries for 138 yards and two scores. The senior was also 1-2 through the air with a 42-yard touchdown.
Montcalm is coming off a 4-6 record in 2017. Adam Havens is the new head coach of the Generals. Havens was a former all-state quarterback at Montcalm, where he led the Generals to the most wins in a season in school history in 2005.
Graham at Tazewell:
It will be the 99th meeting between the two Tazewell County rivals when the G-Men head west on route 460 to take on the Bulldogs.
Graham opened their season with a 38-14 loss in their annual rivalry game against Bluefield. Graham is led on offense by quarterback Cameron Allen, who had 374 total yards against the Beavers. Devin Lester will be Allen’s favorite target after collecting 12 catches for 140 yards in the season opener.
Tazewell opened the season in a 37-30 home loss vs. the Virginia High Bearcats. The Bulldogs fell behind early by a score of 30-7 before coming alive and closing the gap to 37-30 in the fourth quarter. Tazewell was led by sophomore WR/QB Josiah Jordan who accounted for 150 total yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore RB Chancellor Harris also cranked out 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Vote now for CoalfieldSports.com ‘Week 2’
Game of the Week!
I was raised in beautiful Abb’s Valley, Virginia.
Unfortunately, I went down with the ship as a Pocahontas Indian. I spent my last year as a Tazewell Bulldog. I moved away for a time and became a resident of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama (Roll Tide), but I eventually had to move back to the mountains of SWVA and assume the position of ambassador of Falls Mills, VA.