WDBJ 7 Friday Football Extra for 11/24/00

[Pulaski]

[ANCHOR=Mike]

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[GRAPHIC=FFE BIG]

Good evening folks and welcome to Friday Football Extra's State semi-final preview special. We have reached the final four stage of the season, and schools from the Friday Football Extra coverage area are still in the hunt for state titles in five of the six divisions. Before the night is over we'll hear from all of the combatants in tomorrow's contests, check the statewide playoff schedule, plus meet our latest player of the week.
[GRAPHIC=PULASKI/HERITAGE]
We begin in Division Five, where the Pulaski County Cougars face perhaps the biggest test of any area team tomorrow when they host Heritage high school out of Newport News. The Hurricanes are not only unbeaten, but they have given up just four touchdowns this entire season. Plus, last week they captured the eastern region division five title by embarrassing Hampton 41-to-nothing.
(///////sot////////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=53-Heritage In Maroon; :00]
[SUPER=50-Joel Hicks/193 Wins at Pulaski Co.; :10]
[SUPER=51-Newport News/Heritage vs. Hampton; :22]
[SUPER=51-Pulaski Co.; 1:00]
[SUPER=51-Roanoke Co./Pulaski Co. vs. Cave Spring; 1:41]
[RUNS=2:34]
[OUT Q=...TRIPLE A TEAM."]
(----------------)

[Heritage]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[GRAPHIC=PULASKI HERITAGE]

Now if you're like most folks, including yours truly, it was almost beyond comprehension that any team could hang 41 points on Hampton and at the same time completely shutout the Crabbers. So with that lingering disbelief still hanging in my head I decided to ask Heritage head coach John Quillen just how his Hurricanes were able to create such a storm against Hampton.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WE WERE...]
[SUPER=50-John Quillen/Heritage Head Coach; :08]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=this challenge."]
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[Board-Bump]

[ANCHOR=MIke]
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Salem and Magna Vista get to chine next as we preview tomorrow's division four semi-final matchup in Henry County. But first here's a look at the state wide schedule for semi-final Saturday.
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[GO TO SCOREBOARD]
[RUNS=:30]
[OC...DIVISION TEAMS]
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[GO TO BREAK]

[Salem]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=FFE-13]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
Welcome back everybody as our state semi-final preview special rolls on right here on Your Hometown Station.
[GRAPHIC=SALEM/MAGNA VISTA]

The Division Four semi-final tomorrow afternoon in Ridgeway pits the Magna Vista Warriors against the Salem Spartans. Yes, that the same Salem Spartans, who were written off at mid-season and given up for dead by many of their own fans.
Yet here here we are in the final four - and the two time defending state champs are again knocking on the door to the surprise of many.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=AT MID YEAR...]
[SUPER=50-Willis White/Salem Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=2:47]
[OUT Q=...playing magna vista."]
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[Magna]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[WRITER=mst]
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[GRAPHIC=SALEM/MAGNA VISTA]

The Warriors under first year head coach Joe Beckelheimer have definitely come to play every down this season. The team's turnaround under his first year leadership has been nothing short of amazing. Yet he refuses to take the credit, instead giving the props to his senior class of players.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=50-Joe Beckelheimer/Magna Vista Head Coach; :07]
[SUPER=51-Harrisonburg/1999 Division Four Final; :25]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=...ALL OVER THE FIELD."]
((In order to to do that the Warriors will not only have to handle a Salem team that is playing its best football of the season right now, but the Warriors also must avoid getting wrapped up in the Salem mystique. ((JOE BECKELHEIMER:))
And while Willis White may be surprised that his team is still alive in the final four, Beckelheimer isn;t the least but surprised that he's playing the two time defending champs tomorrow.)) ((JOE BECKELHEIMER:))

[Tease#1]

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When we come back we will check in on tomorrow's Division Three semi-final between Rustburg and Gate City. Plus, we'll hear from both Giles and Honaker as they prepare for the Division Two semi-final in Pearisburg. Friday Football Extra continues right after this short break. [go to break]

[Rustburg]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[WRITER=mst]
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[GRAPHIC=FFE]

Welcome back folks as the Friday Football Extra division three semi-final preview special continues here on Your Hometown Station.
[GRAPHIC=GATE CITY/RUSTBURG]
The division three mathcup tomorrow in Rustburg features two storied programs from Southwest and Central Virginia - Gate City and Rustburg. The coaches from both teams are also well respected in the state, and not surprisingly they have plenty of admiration for each other's team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=51-Rustburg/Last Friday; :00]
[SUPER=50-Nick Colobro/Gate City Head Coach; :10]
[SUPER=50-Mike Scharnus/Rustburg Head Coach; :35]
[SUPER=51-Gate City; :45]
[SUPER=50-Justin Seaver/Gate City Wide Receiver; 1:35]
[SUPER=50-Derrick Crabtree/Rustburg Cornerback & QB; 1:45]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=...WHAT WE CAN DO."]
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((And while that purpose is to win and advance, but the means by which Gate City treis to reach that end is what makes this one so interesting. Rutsburg has shown it can defend the pass - and goodness knows Gate City has shown that it can play a vertical game with anyone on the high school level.))

[Giles]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[GRAPHIC=GILES/HONAKER]
The Division Two semi-final tomorrow afternoon will be played in Pearisburg with Giles hosting Honaker. The visiting Tigers, who whipped Powell Valley to reach this point, bring a lot to the table - including quarterback Heath Miller. The six foot four inch 225 pound senior has already committed to play football at the University of Virginia next season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=51-Honaker; :00]
[SUPER=50-Steve Ragsdale/Giles Head Coach; :14]
[SUPER=51-Honaker/1999 Semi-Final vs. Floyd Co.; 1:08]
[SUPER=51-Pearisburg; 1:25]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=...doing things like that."]
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[Honaker]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[GRAPHIC=GILES/HONAKER]

That single wing factor is also on the minds of Honaker. The Tigers know if you can't be disciplined when defending Giles, you're as good as dead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=YOU...]
[SUPER=50-Doug Hubbard/Honaker Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=... big key."]
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[ANCHOR=Mike]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
Next up the Division One semi-final combatants speak their minds as we check in with Bath County and take a look in at Rye Cove. Friday Football Extra will be right back. [GO TO BREAK]

[Bath]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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The last remaining member of the Friday Football Extra gang trying to gain a spot in the state finals tomorrow is Bath County.
[GRAPHIC=BATH/RYE COVE]
The Chargers are one of the feel good stories of this 2000 season. They have just one defeat a year after manufacturing just one win. And like Magna Vista, the Chargers have accomplished all of this with a first year head coach.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=51-Hot Springs/Region C Final; :00]
[SUPER=50-Chris Jones/Bath Co. Head Coach; :10]
[RUNS=2:35]
[OUT Q=...YO DO THAT."]
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[RYE COVE]

[ANCHOR=MIKE]
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[GRAPHIC=BATH/RYE COVE]
If you plan on following Bath County tomorrow on the road, remember that the game is being played at Gate City high school and not at Rye Cove.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=51-Duffield; :00]
Rye Cove's head coach has a busy day in store for himself tomorrow. Not only must he takes his Eagles into battle against Bath, but Bill Houseright must also get ready to cheer on his son tomorrow night. Bill Houseright's son is none other than Virginia Tech Linebacker, Jake Houseright.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WELL...]
[SUPER=50-Bill Houseright/Rye Cove Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=...SEVEN O'CLOCK SATURDAY."]
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[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Our player of the week from the regional championship weekend last Friday night - just so happens to be a member of the Bath County football team. The story of how no recount was necessary for this Bush when Friday Football Extra continues. [go to break]

[Player]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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[TAPE#=PLAYER]
[GRAPHIC=PLAYER OF WEEK]

Tonight's player of the week is being recognized for his performance in last week's regional championships.
[GRAPHIC=MICHAEL BUSH]
On what was the coldest Friday night of the season, Bath County's Michael Bush turned in one of the year's hottest performances. Bush overcame the cold and a fired up Rural Retreat team to lead the Chargers to a 53-to-28 win and the Division One Region C championship.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=51-Hot Springs/November 17th; :00]
[SUPER=50-Michael Bush/FFE Player of the Week; :21]
[SUPER=50-Chris Jones/Bath Co. Head Coach; :30]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=...AS AN ADVANTAGE."]
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(( Michael Bush came into the Rural Retreat game beaten and bruised with an injured knee. Just Don't try telling that to the Indians. Bush scored the Chargers first three touchdowns in the Region C division one championship to send the Chargers into the lockeroom at halftime with a 24-to-22 lead. ((MICHAEL BUSH:)) Bush would finish the game with 218 yards rushing and three scores. Almost all of that damage was done in the first half before he rei-njured the knee and had to leave the game. ((CHRIS JONES:)) ((MICHAEL BUSH:)) Bush would come back and help swing the game in favor of the Chargers for good in the second half. On this fourth and eight, he makes Rural Retreat feel his pain by coming all the way back across the field and diving for the first down marker. The play led to the score that put the game out of reach.)) ((MICHAEL BUSH:))
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[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
There is no News 7 at six tomorrow due to college football, but on News 7 at 11 tomorrow night we will have highlights of all of these semi-finals contests for you, plus a complete wrap-up of the 82nd renewal of the Virginia Tech-Virginia game at Lane Stadium.
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[GO TO PINNACLE 13043] Also tomorrow, if you can't make it out to these games Your Hometown Station has plenty of action for you. Ga. Tech takes on Georgia at Noon and then at 3:30 Boston College battles Miami in the Big East.
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[GO TO PINNACLE 13041] We also have an NFL doubleheader coming your way on Sunday as Buffalo takes on Tampa Bay and the Dolphins hook up with the Colts. The NFL Today starts things off at Noon right here on WDBJ-7.
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[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
Folks, if you're heading to the games tomorrow - stay dry. We'll be right back here next Friday night to preview the state championship battles. Take care and as always thanks for giving up part of your weekend for Friday Football Extra. [GO TO BREAK]