What: Class 1, Region C quarterfinal
Who: (4) George Wythe Maroons vs. (5) Covington Cougars
When: Friday, November 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pendleton Field, Wytheville, Va.
Series all time: Covington leads 2-1
Last meeting: Covington defeated George Wythe 21-0 on September 27, 1985.
With the 2018 high school football regular season in the rear view mirror, it is now time to look forward to the playoffs. On Friday night, what appears on paper to be a very intriguing first round game sees the George Wythe Maroons hosting the Covington Cougars. The Maroons are the fourth seed in the Class 1, Region C playoffs, while the Cougars are the fifth seed.
The Cougars will make the 130-mile trip down U. S. 220 and Interstate 81 to face a Maroons squad they haven’t faced in over 33 years. The last meeting between the two schools was in 1985.
The Cougars offense is led by running back Shaun Smith Jr. Smith, a punishing power back, has impressed all season for the Cougars, including a 180-yard performance against Parry McCluer on October 12. Another standout for the Cougars is senior receiver Jaun Miller. Miller can take it to the house on any given play whether it be catching or the occasional run with the football.
The Cougars defense is not shabby at all in the least either. In the win over Parry McCluer, the stingy Cougar defense forced six turnovers, including five interceptions.
The Maroons are led on offense by quarterback Cole Simmons and running back Ravvon Wells. Simmons had 173 yards passing and 64 yards rushing with three touchdowns a week ago in a 41-34 shootout with Rural Retreat. Wells had 161 yards with two scores in the win over Rural Retreat.
The winner of Friday night’s regional quarterfinal will in all likelihood travel to Galax for a regional semifinal the following week. The Maroons have already faced the Maroon Tide in the regular season, falling 21-14 in Galax on October 12.
I was born a Haysi Tiger but unfortunately succumbed to a broken heart on a cold rainy afternoon in King William, Virginia on December 6, 2014.
However, I was reincarnated as a Wolf, and became a runner of the Ridgeview Wolfpack on August 28, 2015. You now hear me howling most autumn Friday nights high atop Rose Ridge in Dickenson County or anywhere else my Pack of hungry Wolves may be, from Grundy to Falcon Hill or from Ben Hur to Pikeville, Kentucky.
I never wolfed down (pun very intended) a Tiger Taco like Mr. Brady Hess, but I was and still am known to devour a pizza from Pizza Factory on Main Street in Haysi.
I have always wanted to write about sports and now I have the opportunity to thanks to those who have built this wonderful place on the world wide web. Hope y’all enjoy.
