Giles (1-1) rushed for nearly 250 yards in their home-opening 33-14 win over Christiansburg (1-1).
The first quarter was scoreless as neither team could move the ball on offense. Giles battled similar issues as they did against Blacksburg with turnovers and penalties.
Early in the second quarter, the Spartans were finally able to get the single-wing offense moving. After driving the ball to the 7-yard line, Chase Fleeman put it in the end zone on a reverse after breaking several tackles, putting Giles up 7-0.
The Blue Demons went three and out on their next drive which set up Giles for their next scoring drive. Ratcliffe carried the ball two times for minimal yardage. On a third and long, Coach Williams decided to put the ball in the air. Christiansburg anticipated the run, however, Ratcliffe dropped back and completed the pass to Preston Whitlock, who had his defender beat by five yards. Whitlock sprinted into the end zone for the 57-yard touchdown reception. Spartans went in at the half with a 14-0 lead.
The pads were poppin’ in this physical game between the Spartans and Blew Demons (photo by Shannon Lowery)
The third quarter was much like the first. Neither offense found the end zone. The Spartans were able to get close enough for Whitlock to make a 37-yard field goal. Giles held a 17-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Christiansburg finally got points on the board in the fourth quarter as quarterback MJ Hunter threw for two touchdowns. Caleb Henley was Hunter’s go to guy as he was on the receiving end of both touchdown strikes. The Spartans finished the quarter with two more scores on the ground from Ratcliffe and a safety.
Giles will host the Graham G-Men on Friday, where kickoff is slated for 7 p.m..
Born in Pulaski, Va it only took a few years before I would end up in the beautiful Giles County where I would graduate in 2012 from Giles High School. Since the age of 4, Pearisburg has been my homeplace and I don’t have any plans to leave.
Sports have always been big in my family. My father was fortunate enough to be able to play football for the Spartans in 1978, which was the first year that Coach Steve Ragsdale introduced the single-wing offense which we will still run today.
My high school football career was cut short due to a knee injury that I sustained my junior year, but fortunately I was able to compete in the State Championship my senior year as a shot put thrower on the track and field team.
I now get to enjoy the football games in the stands with my father as we are known as, “them guys with the train horn,” which we take to every football game. GO SPARTANS!
