CoalfieldSports Pick Em: Week 6

This season, the folks at Coalfield Sports are picking five of the most intriguing matchups in the area to be the games of the week before you the fans select THE game of the week.

Each week, Ryan and Brady, the hosts of the SWVASports Podcast will pick the five contests and be joined by a special guest each week.

So far, the records are as follows:

Ryan: 20-5

Brady: 21-3

Guest: 20-5 (Eugene Hilton: 3-2, Lloyd Combs: 5-0, Rick Baker 4-1, Casey Goetz 3-2, Anthony Stevens 5-0)

Anthony Stevens was only the second guest to have a perfect 5-0 slate. The sports editor of the Lebanon News joins Lloyd Combs in the club as the two to have perfect weeks against the experts. Brady also posted a 5-0 record while Ryan had a 3-2 week. Brady now leads the pack with a 21-3 record.

This week’s guest picker is Chase Parker. Chase is the weekend sports anchor and a multimedia journalist for WVVA. Chase was born and raised in Lexington, Virginia where he attended Parry McCluer High School. After his day as a Fighting Blue, Chase attended Virginia Tech, where he graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism in 2017. During his time in Blacksburg, Chase was a sports editor for the Collegiate Times, where he covered all Hokie athletics. Chase spent time in the Roanoke Valley where he interned for the area’s NBC affiliate at WSLS.

This week, we have implemented a new segment to the pick em. This week was the first time we have offered up a trivia question on Twitter. Out of the correct answers, we select a person at random to let them pick with the experts and the guest picker.

This week’s trivia question winner is Dakota Hamilton! Thanks for playing, Dakota! Best of luck to you this week!

The five games are: Giles at Radford, Holston at Narrows, Honaker at George Wythe, Tazewell at Hurley and the CoalfieldSports.com Game of the Week, Virginia High at Chilhowie.

Let’s get to it!

Giles at Radford:

 

Brady: There has been a lot of talk this week surrounding this contest. It will now be played in Salem due to the lighting defect at Radford High School. Moving this game to turf will benefit the Bobcats. Prioleau has the jets and will take off not far from the Roanoke airport. The Single Wing is tough no matter when. However, I like the athleticism of Radford to overpower Giles.

 

Chase: I’m going with Giles because I never pick against the Single Wing in the month of September

 

Ryan: This game would have been more intriguing if Giles wasn’t facing such dire straits from a numbers perspective. Reports of the Spartans having nearly 15 starters out for this game have swayed public opinion on this outcome. Expect P.J. Prioleau to run wild. Bobcats roll.

Dakota: Giles has struggled so far this season and also has had some key injuries. I’ll take Radford at home.

 

 

 

Holston at Narrows:

 

Brady: This is a matchup with two of the best quarterbacks in 1A with Wyatt Freeman and Leo Ezzel. Both signal callers have been the heartbeat for their team to this point in the season. Narrows handed the Cavaliers a lofty defeat a season ago on their home turf. Narrows has been a little more battle tested than Holston in the early going. I look for the Green Wave to send Holston back to Damascus with another loss.

 

Chase: I’m going Narrows because they are one of the more talented and underrated teams in the state. Their quarterback is really good and can play at the next level.

 

Ryan:  This was a blowout last year as the Green Wave cruised right on through Damascus with relative ease. However, this year’s Holston team is much better. Leo Ezzel is a man on a mission in red and black. The spread was seven touchdowns last season, and while I expect the spread to be far less this time around, I still take Narrows to win.

Dakota: Narrows lost a close game to Giles, 12-7. For that reason and that reason alone, I’ll take Narrows.

 

Honaker at George Wythe:

 

Brady: The rematch of the 2012 state championship. Since then, the two teams have met each season since 2014 with George Wythe holding a 3-1 advantage since 2014. Both teams have experienced early season success. George Wythe escaped from Auburn last week behind Ravvon Wells. I look for Wells and the Maroons to move past Trevor Dye and the Tigers again this week, but not by much. If Honaker limits their turnovers, look for a barnburner in Wytheville.

 

Chase: The Tigers fought tooth and nail with Grundy last week while George Wythe held off Auburn in a tight one. I think Ravvon Wells picks up where he left off last week as the Maroons get past the Tigers.

 

Ryan:  This was a marquee matchup six  years ago. In fact, it was the state title matchup. George Wythe beat a Honaker team in a dandy of a game that year. Honaker has still never won a title and hasn’t been back since that defeat. The Tigers took one on the chin last week against Grundy and the Maroons squeaked by Auburn. Ultimately, I like home field advantage here. Maroons get the win.

Dakota: George Wythe is consistently at the top of the 1A teams in the area, and Honaker is rebuilding. Maroons.

 

Tazewell at Hurley:

 

Brady: The Bulldogs will make the trip into the depths of Buchanan County for their first matchup at the Cliff.  Tazewell has proved they can be explosive on offense. The Rebels are coming off a nice defensive performance last week. However, I think the athleticism and speed of Tazewell gives the Bulldogs the advantage in this one. Look for Chancellor Harris to rack up 200+ on Friday. It will be a packed house at the Cliff in what will be Hurley’s second home game of the season.

 

Chase: I’ll go with Tazewell here because their running back Chancellor Harris is explosive. Despite their record, the Bulldogs have talent and potential. I think they get their second win of the season over the Rebels.

 

Ryan: Tazewell making its first trip to The Cliff. Hurley is in a rebuilding year under a new coach. Tazewell continues to gain experience under Coach J’me Harris. In the end, the Bulldogs just have too much speed for the Rebels. Tazewell: big.

 

Dakota:The Bulldogs will be one of the most exciting teams for the next couple of years in SWVA. The young Dogs continue to grow this week.

 

 

COALFIELDSPORTS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK: Virginia High at Chilhowie:

 

Brady: I have been picked apart all year by people for stating that Chilhowie is better than numerous 2A teams this season. This is the week that they will back up my statements. Chilhowie is 5-0 at the midway point. One of Jeff Robinson’s biggest messages in the offseason was to avenge the few losses the Warriors had in 2017. Greg Sanchez and the gang have done just that when they defeated Marion and George Wythe. Virginia High took home a W against Chilhowie last season. Therefore, the X on the Bearcats has been painted on them out of Chilhowie for over a year. Zack Cale, Sanchez and the gang will take home the victory in this one. It will be close though. Aaron Rose is one of the best players in our region. If the Bearcats’ gameplan goes through the senior tailback, it will make the Chilhowie faithful sweat. However, if the Warriors can keep him in tact, they win this one.

 

Chase: I’m going with Chilhowie. They are the real deal. Undefeated, 5-0. They picked off where they left off a year ago. They are a contender for a state title.

 

Ryan: This is the game of the week for a reason. Virginia High is 4-1. Chilhowie is 5-0. That lone loss was to a Tennessee High squad that is turning some heads in Tennessee. Chilhowie has blown everyone out so far. This was a three touchdown spread for the Bearcats last year. Chilhowie is undoubtedly better, but are they 4 touchdowns better than last year? Yes. Chilhowie by 6.

Dakota: Chilhowie has been on a revenge tour for all of their losses last season. I look for them to be fired up and continue that trend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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