Two weeks ago, Narrows (9-2) lost their regular season finale on the road to Parry McCluer (7-4) in a mud bowl. The Wave, who are seeded second in Region 1C, battled back from a 28-12 deficit and took a 34-28 lead late in fourth. Marcellius Dawson scored for McCluer with under a minute remaining to top Narrows 35-34 and win a share of the Pioneer District title. The win also moved McCluer up from the sixth seed to the third seed. The Green Wave looks to avenge that loss as they host the Blues in the second round of the regional playoffs.
Both Narrows and McCluer won their first round playoff games in rematches from the regular season. Narrows defeated Auburn 18-7 in a low scoring affair while McCluer thumped Bath County, 44-13.
Wyatt Freeman lead the Wave over Auburn with 266 total yards of offense and two rushing scores. 74 of those yards came on the ground which is the most yards that Freeman has rushed for in a single game. He was 10-of-21 for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting against the Blues.
Dawson lead the Blues over Bath with 180 rushing yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. He rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries against Narrows in week ten.
McCluer running back Marcellius Dawson dragging five Narrows defenders in the first contest (photo by Scott Dunn)
Narrows has the advantage playing at home. The Wave have an impressive 11-2 record at home since 2017. With Narrows being the only team in the county still playing, you can expect Ragsdale Field to be packed on Friday. The winner of this game moves on to the regional championship to face either Galax or George Wythe.
Born in Pulaski, Va it only took a few years before I would end up in the beautiful Giles County where I would graduate in 2012 from Giles High School. Since the age of 4, Pearisburg has been my homeplace and I don’t have any plans to leave.
Sports have always been big in my family. My father was fortunate enough to be able to play football for the Spartans in 1978, which was the first year that Coach Steve Ragsdale introduced the single-wing offense which we will still run today.
My high school football career was cut short due to a knee injury that I sustained my junior year, but fortunately I was able to compete in the State Championship my senior year as a shot put thrower on the track and field team.
I now get to enjoy the football games in the stands with my father as we are known as, “them guys with the train horn,” which we take to every football game. GO SPARTANS!
