Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 17, 1993 TAG: 9309170215
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-13 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Disturbing as it is, there is no graceful way to put this.
According to this line of thinking, the seven-or-so-mile distance that separates the two schools isn't as far as it used to be. Boys and girls have better transportation these days and often cross paths with students from the other county high school.
They see each other in the county vocational school, shared by both high schools. They see each other at the local burger joints and the pool. They may even bump into each other out at the country club.
Thus they have come to socialize with one another. Perhaps in certain cases, when prudent, and after all the appropriate etiquette has been observed, some have even allowed romance to kindle.
So it's said that with all this partying, dating and mutual admiration, members of the Giles and Narrows communities have developed new-found respect for each other.
It is said that gone are the days when the fellows down at the big Celanese plant would glare at each other weeks before the game, then organize fantastic cash wagers on its outcome.
Gone are the days when a victorious coach said that he'd dearly love to walk down the opposite sideline and salute the opposing fans with an indelicate hand gesture.
Gone are the days when one guy who didn't have all his fish on the line bet another who didn't have both his oars in the water that the loser would at the end of the game push the winner across the field in a wheelbarrow.
Gone are the days when one player warned another in a pileup that the next time (which also would be the first time) he or any of his kin was caught in a particular section of the county, they'd next be seen floating down the creek. It wasn't a pleasure cruise the speaker had in mind.
Yes sir. Giles vs. Narrows has gotten downright genteel. One of these years, the two sides may even sit down for a pleasant spot of tea after the gridiron hostilities are complete.
Or so it is claimed.
Don't you believe it.
This remains Timesland's greatest rivalry. Martinsville-Magna Vista, Parry McCluer-Covington, Radford-Blacksburg, Pulaski County-Salem, William Fleming-Patrick Henry - I've seen them all, the last of the real biggies, although the Fleming-PH game has dwindled to the point where you could set off a bomb in the Victory Stadium stands, and nobody would get hurt.
No, they don't make them like Pulaski-Dublin or Alleghany-Clifton Forge anymore. Games like those, you could collect the venom in 5-gallon pots.
Narrows-Giles remains a rib-bruiser, a head-banger, a thigh-masher of the old school.
Harold Chafin will work the public address tonight just as he has every year since 1980, when Giles won the Group AA state championship. Chafin's son Steve played for that team. The elder Chafin hasn't missed a Giles game since 1978. Back in the early 1960s, Chafin kept statistics for the legendary Harry Ragsdale at Narrows.
Although Chafin is one who speaks of the new civility in Green Wave vs. Spartans, he knows what this affair means.
"It's an emotional thing," he said. "There are people all over the country who never go to a Giles or a Narrows game, but they'll make plans to go to this one."
I haven't paid to attend a high school game since 1973, but I'd fork over the cash to see this one. Fortunately, Narrows and Giles continue to have me as their guest.
I accept.
\ PERHAPS YOU HAVEN'T HEARD: Pulaski County center Wayne Page was scheduled to see a neurosurgeon Thursday about the neck injury that probably has cost him the rest of season. Cousin Reggie Page has been starting in his place. . . . Cougar defensive tackle and guard Chris Lawson was in an automobile accident Tuesday, and his status for tonight's game at Bluefield is uncertain. Mike Rupe will play guard, and offensive tackle Larry Puckett will go two ways and play defensive tackle if Lawson can't play. . . . The Milton twins of Giles - Raypheal and Maurice - are cousins of Pulaski County quarterback Andre Eaves. . . . Charlee Taylor, a freshman who may be Radford High's best girls' basketball player this year, is the daughter of Radford University Athletic Director Chuck Taylor. Meredith Braine, a starter for Blacksburg, is the daughter of Virginia Tech AD Dave Braine.
Ray Cox covers New River Valley sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News
by CNB