By Allen Godsey
TriCitiesSports.com
August 17, 2007
GATE CITY, Va. ? It was planned to be a jamboree with three teams playing each other about two quarters each at Legion Field Friday evening. It turned out to be a scrimmage between Powell Valley from the Lonesome Pine District and Gate City from the just-formed Clinch Mountain District because Shelby Valley, Ky., withdrew as a participant because of a death in its football family.
The scoreboard and time-clock were not used in the scrimmage. The two teams began by practicing punts for several minutes, then kick-off coverage, then points after touchdowns, this consumed.
"We want to look at the film before we make any major conclusions,"? said Gate City coach Nick Colobro, "I saw some positive things happen for us out there tonight. It was a good scrimmage. We saw some different offensive sets and also some different defenses that we hadn't seen."?
Senior running back Tyler Parks ran the ball six times for 51 yards, junior Dustin Jones four times for 30 yards and Jarrod Sanders gained 26 yards in three carries. Quarterback Tihlee Anderson connected on 3-of-5 passes for short yardage.
Junior quarterback Jon Kern did not dress for the game because of a lower back injury suffered in last week's scrimmage against Volunteer. Kern hopes to be back at practice on Monday.
"I'm really glad that we got to do the situational stuff, to get ready for the season. It will pay dividends for both of us,"? said Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins, "We were a little better tonight than we were in last week's scrimmage. I would have liked to see a little better blocking. Overall, I'm pleased with what we accomplished tonight."?
Powell Valley got the ball first at its own 30. It took the Vikings 14 plays to hit paydirt. Running back Myron Pinkston scored the touchdown from the five yard line. Pinkston gained 22 yards on four carries in the drive. Quarterback Cedric Mitchell ran for 53 yards and was 2 of 3 passing in the Vikings first score to lead 6-0. No PAT was attempted. Powell Valley did not score again.
On the Blue Devils' first possession from their 30, Gate City ran off eight plays -- picking up three first downs -- before the Vikings held at their 45-yard line.
On the Devils' next try from their 30, Gate City marched to the Viking 18 in 10 plays. A fourth-down pass then fell incomplete, ending the drive. Gate City picked up three first downs on the possession.
Gate City, on its third possession, drove 40 yards to the Powell Valley 40 before being stopped. Sanders had runs of 11 and 12 yards for the Blue Devils.
Both teams got in some good practice on goal line offense and defense.
Gate City will open the regular season at Richlands (the defending group AA state champion) on Friday, Aug. 24. Powell Valley opens at Lee the same night.
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