photo* SWVA Photography
The goal at the start of the season for many of the Ridgeview Wolfpack football players was to win a state championship. The Wolfpack are one win closer after Friday night’s opening round playoff victory over the Marion Scarlet Hurricanes. The Wolfpack dominated and were never challenged in the 49-7 triumph. All 56 of the game’s total points were accumulated in the first 24 minutes of action.
After receiving the opening kick, things did not start well for the Pack. A Kanin Lewis fumble turned the ball over to Marion. The Scarlet Hurricanes were unable to capitalize on the turnover however. After a Marion punt, the Wolfpack offense quickly asserted itself.
Trenton Adkins took the first play on a handoff 57 yards to the house for the game’s opening points. Not to be outdone, the Scarlet Hurricanes quickly answered. Less than a minute later, Bradley Thomas found Devin Hamm in stride for a 27 yard touchdown pass to tie the contest after the PAT. The score by Marion would be all the points on the night for the team from the Southwest District.
Adkins scored his second a little over a minute later from 25 yards out and with 6:29 left in the first quarter, the Wolfpack had a lead they would never relinquish.
The high powered Ridgeview offense added two more scores in the first quarter. Adkins scored his third from 58 yards out at the 3:57 mark and quarterback Nick Phillips found Cannon Hill in the back of the end zone for a 27 yard touchdown pass at the 2:16 mark. At the end of one, the Wolfpack were in front 28-7.
Neither offense could muster much of anything for the first six minutes of the second quarter, however after a brief nap, the Wolfpack offense woke up for the remainder of the half. Adkins added two more touchdowns to his lofty tally for the campaign: a 42 yard carry at the 5:21 mark and a 15 yard carry less than three minutes remaining in the half.
The final points of the half and the contest came on a highlight reel 55 yard punt return by freshman Brandon Beavers with 24 seconds left in the half to make the score 49-7. Coach Rick Mullins praised the youngster after the contest. “Yeah, he’s gotten better as the season has went on. That was a nice little return. I’m glad to see that.”
After the teams returned from the locker room to start the second half, a running clock was used for the remainder of the contest as both teams used their benches to gain playoff experience.
Koda Counts, Alijah Sproles and Chase Salyers led the Pack defense and contained the Marion balanced offense.
Leading the way for the Ridgeview offense was Adkins who had 296 yards on 12 carries with five scores in a half of work. Adkins credited the big boys up front for his success. “The line was blocking great tonight,” said Adkins. “They were opening up holes every single play. They were being very aggressive and doing what they do.”
The Scarlet Hurricanes were led by Brandon Thomas who accumulated 159 yards passing and one touchdown. The Marion rushing attack was only able to muster 16 yards on the ground in the contest.
Next up for the Wolfpack is district rival Wise Central who dispatched Richlands in the opening round 28-16. Mullins looked ahead to the rematch with the Warriors. “They’re playing well right now. We just have to worry about ourselves and get ready for next week. We’ll be ready for them.”
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.
