Ridgeview Wolfpack (5-1, 3-1 M7)
VS.
John Battle Trojans (1-5, 0-2 M7)
When: Friday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Battle Hill, Bristol Va.
Series all time: Ridgeview leads 3-1 (Last meeting Ridgeview defeated John Battle 24-7 on October 12, 2018 in Rose Ridge, Va.)
After a tough defeat to the Union Bears in a primetime showdown shown on locally syndicated television, the Ridgeview Wolfpack look to get back on track. Friday night, the Wolfpack will travel to Bristol to face the John Battle Trojans under the lights on Battle Hill.
Though the Wolfpack lead the all time series 3-1, none of the victories for the Pack has come easily. 2018 saw nervous times for all of Wolfpack Nation as the teams were deadlocked in a scoreless tie at the half and were tied 7-7 into the fourth quarter.
This season the Wolfpack offense have had no issues putting up the numbers. The offense has been led by junior running back Trenton Adkins, who has now surpassed the 1,600 yard mark for the season. Adkins was held to a season low last week, but still eclipsed the century mark in the loss to Union, finishing with 119 yards rushing.
Wolfpack quarterback Nick Phillips continues to improve by the week. With the Bears focusing on Adkins, Phillips was given the opportunity to shine against Union. The junior did not disappoint, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns a week ago. Timmy Hess was the beneficiary of Phillips’ work as he hauled in both touchdown receptions. Kicker Landon Knepp continues to be reliable, with a perfect 2-2 on field goal opportunities last week.
The Trojans have a victory on television this year over their city rival Virginia High Bearcats. However, not much else has gone right in favor of the Trojans.
Do-everything playmaker Dylan Cunningham is out for the season due to injury, and a host of other injuries have plagued the Trojans. The offense is now led by quarterback Jack Thurston. Thurston ran for two scores and threw for 122 yards and another touchdown last week in a 56-34 loss to Wise Central. Sophomore Zack Moore also gained 60 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns in the win over the Warriors.
The loss of Cunningham on defense has been a catalyst for the Trojans woes keeping opponents off the scoreboard. Battle has allowed 29.5 points over their six contests to this point in the season. In four meetings with the Trojans however, the Wolfpack have not scored more than 27 points.
2017 and 2018 saw matching 24-7 Ridgeview victories. The Trojans lone victory in the four games played, was a 23-20 victory in 2016.
Battle Hill should be rocking Friday night for this Mountain 8 District contest. With the trend of the previous four meetings, expect the Trojans to defend Battle Hill with everything they have.
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.