vs. 
In one of the marquee matchups in the Coalfields, the Beavers of Bluefield will travel to Ernie Hicks Stadium to take on the Richlands Blue Tornado on Friday night.
These two teams are no stranger to success.
Richlands has enjoyed a run a winning seasons and deep postseason runs that spanned over a decade.
Bluefield is a WVSSAC AA stalwart, winning nine state titles in Wild & Wonderful West Virginia.
It is natural that when these two meet, eyes turn to the game.
Bluefield is on a roll this season. They won a state title last year and haven’t missed a beat this season. Speed kills, and the Beavers have speed to burn.
Richlands comes off it’s worst season in nearly 15 years. However, the Blues are coming off an upset win over a previously unbeaten Class 4 William Byrd squad.
For Richlands, slowing down Bluefield is the key. The Beavers feature a stacked backfield led by “Juice” Edwards, younger brother of Truck.
On the other side, the matchup between Coalfield Sports Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week Taylor Horn from Richlands and DB Isaiah Johnson is something to watch. The Blues go as Horn goes and Johnson is the 7th ranked player in the entire country for the current sophomore class.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night.
There’s just something about growing up in this area that lends itself to sports. Friday nights are the undisputed king. We all head to the local high school to catch a glimpse of those boys of fall.
That was no different in Richlands where I grew up with a love and a passion for those Blue Tornado. Unlike my co-host, I never strapped that lightning R on my head. I took the band route instead. But that didn’t stop me from becoming most school spirited my senior year, a title I still proudly wear today.
Leaving to get my degree at Virginia Tech actually helped solidify all that I love about this area. Sure, football is a big deal in the NRV as well, but it’s just not the same. And that’s okay. Our area is special.
I’m happy to be back in SWVA this fall and I’m ready to bring you a plethora of content options as we embark on this thing called life. RIP Prince.
Oh, and Hunt Bros. Pizza is the best pizza.
