The Hurley Rebels will host the Tazewell Bulldogs for the first time ever this Friday night.
Hurley is coming off a 26-6 road victory against Montcalm (WV) and are now 3-2 with victories over Rye Cove and River View (WV) as well.
Tazewell lost to defending West Virginia AA state champion Bluefield this past Friday night. They are 1-3 and their lone win was a 61-38 win against River View.
In last year’s matchup, the Dogs surprised the Rebels and won the contest 62-27 in Tazewell.
Hurley has plenty of size with numerous lineman that are over 300 lbs.
They’ve been successful in their three wins in opening up holes out of their Wing T formation for Matt Blankenship. The Rebels tailback is Hurley’s leading rusher with over 400 yards and five touchdowns through five games. The Rebels average 15.6 points a game while allowing an average of exactly the same, 15.6 points a game. However, the last two weeks in their wins over River View and Montcalm, the Rebels have only allowed six points each contest.
Tazewell will continue to rely on a solid running game behind Chancellor Harris, Mike Jones and Jamir Blevins. Harris and Jones each rushed for over 100 yards last week against Bluefield. The Dogs are rushing for well over 300 yards a game. Sophomore athlete Josiah Jordan should also be back after missing last week’s match up against the Beavers. Chancellor Harris leads Tazewell on the ground with 647 yards and nine touchdowns.
With rain being in the forecast, both teams are sure to carve it up on the ground. Will it be the slow and steady Hurley offense and defense led by Matt Blankenship and Taylor Justus? Or will Harris, Jones and Jordan run through the Rebels in Buchanan County? We’ll find out Friday night at 7 p.m. at The Cliff!
Photo Credits: Elizabeth Bennett
I’m a 2003 graduate of Tazewell High School and love the town I grew up in. After graduation I continued my education at Radford University getting my Bachelor’s degree in Management and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Personally my life revolves around my family and main profession. I have an amazing wife and two beautiful, sweet little girls. Throughout the week you can find me at Ramey Automotive in Richlands where I’m the General Manager. I’m blessed to be a part of a family business that is eager to support multiple things and especially high school football.
My grandmother lives in Bastian, Va and she has a sign that hangs in her carport that says “If you’re lucky enough to live in the mountains, you’re lucky enough”. Man is that sign true. I’ve lived here all my life and there’s a few things constant; high school football being one of them. In 2017 I was fortunate to get to provide the color commentary for Tazewell Football on Kicks Country and G98 radio. I’ll continue to do so this year as well. Follow me as I share past stories and cover your Tazewell High School Football team throughout the season.
