Pulaski County Cougars (7-3) at George Washington-Danville (8-2)
Date: Friday, November 9, 2018.
Where: J.T. Christopher Stadium—Danville, VA
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Last meeting: 9/22/2000—Pulaski County 42, George Washington 13
All-time record: Series tied at 7-7
Players to watch:
Pulaski County– QB Kade Akers, WR E.J. Horton, RB Gage Mannon
George Washington– RB Wesley Graves, LB Deadrian Towler, DT Bryson Akers
What to watch for:
Pulaski County: The Cougars travel to Danville for the first time in 19 years. They do so after a solid 7-3 season. The losses came at the hands of Northside (29-28), Blacksburg (21-14) and Salem (21-10). Gage Mannon has had no trouble racking up the yards for head coach Stephen James and the Cougars. Mannon has had multiple games with four touchdowns this season and 250+ rushing yards. Mannon fits into the traditional ground and pound ways that Joel Hicks once instilled in Pulaski. Kade Akers is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the area. He will often look toward the best receiver in southwest Virginia in Kent State-commit E.J. Horton. Look for Horton to make some plays on Friday if the Cougars want to advance to the second round in a very difficult 4D region. This is Pulaski County’s first trip to the playoffs since 2016. However, the Cougars have not won a playoff game since 2012, when they defeated Magna Vista 32-0 behind quarterback Marcus Johnston and defensive back Jake Tabor.
George Washington: The Eagles are back in the playoffs once again in 2018. George Washington has not missed the playoffs since 2010. However, at the school that has produced David Wilson, Herman Moore and Ferrell Edmunds, the Eagles have not been able to add a state championship to their belt since 1982. Nick Anderson and the Eagles come into Friday’s matchup with Pulaski for their fourth consecutive home matchup. George Washington’s two losses were tight ball games. If a couple bounces had went in favor of the squad from Danville, the Eagles very well could be sitting at 10-0. The losses occurred in a September 7thmatchup with Jefferson Forest (27-21) and on October 19thin a Piedmont District matchup with Franklin County (16-14). Wesley Graves leads the offensive attack for the Eagles.
I am a graduate of Richlands High School—class of 2014. In May 2018, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Journalism and History with a minor in war and Society from Virginia Tech.
My passions in life are numerous. We don’t have all day. This is not the place to divulge into Hokie Football, so I will shed some light on one of my other favorites.
I was born and raised in the coalfields of southwest Virginia—Richlands to be exact. I remember the first time I ever went to a high school football game (Richlands-Tazewell ’02). Since then, a passion has grown that is stronger than the current in the Clinch River. As a football player in this region, I was able to witness the passion oozing out of the hills firsthand. It was something that when I began college, people had a hard time believing the spectacle that is high school football in the coalfields. Luckily, I was able to go 42-8 in between the white lines on Fridays and Saturdays from 2010-2013. I look forward to having another platform to tell you my stories, your stories and their stories. Here’s to the good times and hoping I don’t leave you like I did Coach Greg Mance numerous times—by saying, “Gosh Durn It!”
Let’s talk, SWVA sports, Hokies, history or maybe even barbecue.
