ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Giles vs. Blacksburg
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Blacksburg
RECORDS: Giles (0-0, 0-0 in Three Rivers District); Blacksburg (0-0, 0-0 in Blue Ridge District)
RADIO: WKEX, 1430 AM (Blacksburg)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Giles - running back Chris Ratcliffe; Blacksburg - running back-linebacker Michael Davis
IMPLICATIONS: Two old rivals from their days together in the old New River District hook up again. Both teams figure to be contenders in their respective districts, Giles in the Three Rivers and Blacksburg in the Blue Ridge.
QUICK HITS: Ratcliffe steps in to start for the first time at single wing tailback, meaning he'll have to carry much of the ballhandling, running, and passing loads of the Spartans offense. ... Davis will again start at linebacker for Blacksburg. What's different for him this year is he'll be asked to run the ball more on offense. ... Giles went 11-2 last year, advancing as far as the Group A Division 2 semifinals. ... Both Blacksburg's running backs are first-year starters.
Narrows vs.
James Monroe, W.Va
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at James Monroe
RECORDS: Narrows (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Mountain Empire District); James Monroe (0-0 overall)
RADIO: None
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Narrows - running back David Turner; James Monroe - tailback T.J. Bailey
IMPLICATIONS: An emotional rivalry that crosses the state lines resumes for the third year.
QUICK HITS: Narrows is 0-2 against the Mustangs. ... James Monroe lost in the first round of the West Virginia Class AA playoffs last year. ... Turner was the Green Wave's leading offensive performer a year ago with 117 carries for 853 yards. ...Bailey had over 800 yards rushing a year ago.
Good Counsel, Md. vs.
Pulaski County
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Pulaski County
RECORDS: Good Counsel (0-0); Pulaski County (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Roanoke Valley District)
RADIO: WRIQ, 101.7 FM (Radford)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Good Counsel - tailback Doug Bost; Pulaski County- linebacker Ryan Brockmeyer
IMPLICATIONS: This is the first meeting between the Cougars and the Silver Spring, Md., parochial school.
QUICK HITS: The matchup came about when Good Counsel, seeking to expand its schedule to 11 games, was referred to the Cougars as a potential opponent. ... Pulaski County will be playing two teams from the Washington, D.C., area this year, Anacostia of the district being the other. ... Good Counsel is in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, which also includes DeMatha. ... Brockmeyer had 157 tackles for Pulaski County in 1995.
Auburn vs. Pocahontas
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Pocahontas
RECORDS: Auburn (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Three Rivers District); Pocahontas (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Mountain Empire District)
RADIO: None
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pocahontas - center Bobby Baker; Auburn - quarterback Jason Phipps
IMPLICATIONS: Auburn, which hopes to build on its surprising success from a year ago, opens with one of the most challenging games on its schedule.
QUICK HITS: Baker, who weighs 275 pounds, is one of five interior line players for Pocahontas who weigh at least 220 pounds, meaning that Auburn will be facing substantial matchup problems. ... William Shelton is the leading returning ground gainer for Auburn this year and comes in with 230 yards on 44 carries. ... Pocahontas has switched from the Black Diamond District in Region D to the Mountain Empire in Region C. ... Phipps is the only full time starter Auburn returns to its backfield. Shelton was a part-time starter in 1995.
Fieldale-Collinsville vs.
Christiansburg
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Christiansburg
RECORDS: Fieldale-Collinsville (0-0 overall; 0-0 in Piedmont District); Glenvar (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Blue Ridge District)
RADIO: WBNK 100.7 FM (Christiansburg)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Fieldale-Collinsville - tailback Kevin Franklin; Christiansburg - quarterback Chris Epperly
IMPLICATIONS: Both of these teams hope to get off to a good start in 1996. Having just moved into the Blue Ridge from the now defunct New River District, Christiansburg is also looking to establish itself in its first three non-district games before kicking off district play Sept. 27 against Northside.
QUICK HITS: Scottie Brubeck, an All-Timesland performer at defensive back for Christiansburg last year, injured his left knee in the Demons' final preseason scrimmage and is expected to miss the first six to eight weeks of the season. ... Fieldale-Collinsville and Christiansburg haven't faced one another since the late 1980s. ... Mike Scott had over 1,000 yards rushing for the Demons during the 1995 season. ... Fieldale-Collinsville was in Region III last year before moving with the Piedmont District to Region IV this year; Christiansburg was in Region IV a year ago before moving into the Blue Ridge District, which is in Region III.
Parry McCluer vs.
Radford
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Radford
RECORDS: Parry McCluer (0-0 overall; 0-0 in Pioneer District); Radford (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Three Rivers District)
RADIO: WRAD 1460 AM (Radford)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Parry McCluer - offensive and defensive lineman Matt Wheeler; Radford - quarterback Adam Artrip
IMPLICATIONS: Coming off an 8-3 season (3-1 in Three Rivers) Radford is looking to dethrone Giles in the Three Rivers. Bobcats' coach Norm Lineburg said that won't be easy considering a tough early schedule . After battling Pioneer power Parry McCluer, Radford will face Powell Valley, the defending Group A Division 2 state champion, the second week of the season. This is the first of six consecutive non-district games for the Fighting Blues.
QUICK HITS: Parry McCluer went 5-5 last year, the first in Coach Charlie Wheeler's regime. ... The main question for Radford early on will be how quickly an overhauled offensive line comes together. ... Between the two teams, Parry McCluer and Radford have seven state football championships, five of them for the Fighting Blues. ... The most recent championship for the Blues was 1987; for Radford, 1972.
James River vs.
Floyd County
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. at Floyd County
RECORDS: James River (0-0 overall; 0-0 in Pioneer District); Floyd County (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Three Rivers District)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: James River - quarterback Travis Blankenship; Floyd County - running back Nick Wohn
IMPLICATIONS: James River missed the playoffs last season after finishing 7-3, a big improvement over its two 2-8 finishes in 1993 and 94. The Knights are the favorite to win the Pioneer in 1996 but must get off to a good start. Floyd County finished last year 1-9 (0-4 in Three Rivers) and Buffaloes' coach Winfred Beale said he hopes to return his team to the physical style of play that produced winning seasons in 1992 and 93.
QUICK HITS: Twelve of the 13 returning starters for James River this season are seniors ... A loss at Bath County in the final game of the season knocked James River from playoff contention. The Chargers went on to win the Group A Division 1 state title. ... The Buffaloes have won three games in the past two seasons. ... The Buffaloes have two home games in the first seven weeks of the season.
LENGTH: Long : 144 linesby CNB