Welcome to Coalfield Sports’ Game of the Week Poll!
Throughout the season, we will select 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 eight!
Richlands at Graham:
This Tazewell County rivalry dates all the way back to 1926. The G-Men won last year’s matchup 20-13 in overtime to break the Blue Tornado’s 11-game win streak. Graham holds the all-time edge 51-39-5.
Richlands comes into this SWD matchup with a record of 4-3. The Blues are led on offense by their senior quarterback Race Moir. Joining Moir in the backfield is Trey Brown. On the outside they have two dangerous playmakers in Taylor Horn and Sage Webb. A player to watch on the Richlands’ defense is CoalfieldSports.com Week 8 Defensive Player of the Week nominee Sean Toney.
Graham is on a six-game win streak after dropping their opener to cross-town rival Bluefield. The G-Men are led by their playmaker at quarterback, Cameron Allen. The Purdue-committ hands the ball off to bruising tailbacks Jaziere Reed and Tre Booker. Devin Lester is Allen’s favorite target in the receiving corps. Lester is joined by Chris Shinault, who adds a big target for Allen to throw to. Nick Kastner is the leader of the G-Men defense. Kastner was the CoalfieldSports.com Week 6 Defensive Player of the Week.
Ridgeview at Abingdon:
Abingdon first played a football game in 1921 but it would be another 96 years before the Falcons took on the Ridgeview Wolfpack. Ridgeview won the only game in this M7 matchup last season by a score of 21-13.
Ridgeview has proved themselves as one of the area’s most dominant teams in 2018. Led on the ground by Division 1 prospect Trenton Adkins and shift senior Matthew Sexton, the Wolfpack is off to a 7-0 start. Tyler O’Quinn has had a successful season at signal caller for the ‘Pack. On defense, there are many standouts such as Carson Sykes and brothers McKenzie & Alijah Sproles.
Abingdon will be fresh, coming off a bye-week in week eight. The Falcons, who most recently picked up a 14-6 rivalry win over Virginia High, are sitting at 5-2 on the season. Gabe Booth is having a superb season at quarterback. Holt Dotson & TJ Taylor are Boothe’s favorite targets in the passing game. William Seymore and Martin Lucas are the two mainstays on the ground for first year head coach Garrett Amburgey.
Rural Retreat at Northwood:
This series dates back to 1987 when Northwood High was first founded. The Indians hold a 28-5 advantage over the Panthers.
The Indians are 1-6 on the season with their lone win coming over the Bland County Bears. First year head coach Jamey Hughes is led on offense by Dorian Delp. Delp had 16 carries 124 yards & two touchdowns while also accounting for a 85-yard kick return touchdown in their win over Bland County.
The Northwood Panthers have an identical record as the Indians at 1-6. Coach Chris Duble’s team is led by quarterback Gage Hogston. Hogston threw three touchdown passes and also rushed for a score when the Panthers picked up their lone win vs. Twin Springs in week one.
Patrick Henry at Honaker:
These two teams first met in 1962 with Patrick Henry coming away with a 52-0 win. Since then, Honaker has had the upper hand in the series, winning seven of the next nine games.
A win for Mark Palmer’s Rebels would have them at 8-0 with a potential undefeated matchup vs. Chilhowie looming. Patrick Henry is sporting a high powered offense that is averaging over 40 points per game. Zach Brown and Cody Smith are the workhorses in the backfield for the Rebels.
Honaker has already improved over last years 3-7 record as Coach Doug Hubbard’s team is sitting at 4-3. The Tigers are led on offense by quarterback Levi Miller. Miller’s favorite target on the outside is Chandler Hubbard. Those two accounted for three passing touchdowns in last week’s shutout of Hurley.
Rye Cove at Twin Valley::
This series dates back six years with the Panthers from Oakwood holding a 4-2 advantage over the Eagles from Scott County.
The competitive Eagles are 2-5 on the season with wins over Hancock County (TN) & Jenkins (KY). Coach Cheyenne Osborne hopes to pick up his first Commonwealth win of the season when the Eagles travel to Buchanan County. Rye Cove is led by their star tailback Mason Hardin. Hardin picked up 229 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Jenkins.
The Panthers are 4-4 on the season but are coming off a tough loss to the Thomas Walker Pioneers. Jeremy Ward, in his first season at the helm of the Panthers, is led on offense by Brandon Lester and Tylor Keen. Lester is a CoalfieldSports.com Player of the Week winner after his six touchdown performance earlier this year. Keen was a nominee himself last week after going a pefect 6-6 on passes and finishing with four scores. Ward’s son Xzavier is also a threat to score on offense.
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