1994 Powell Valley @ Appalachia (Article)

[SWVA-Football]

You're exactly right about the 2002 game, Trumpet. I remember watching it there at Appalachia and it was a heck of a game. Pretty close all the way through and I remember the interception that basically sealed the win .. everyone went crazy.

I'd say that was the best game Appalachia and Powell Valley have had versus one another since the late 90's, which is unfortunate. I think it also seems a little weird that a 'state-title contender' could have been taken down by a team that didn't even make it past the first round of playoffs seeing as how PV was stopped by Honaker in their first postseason game.

When you look at some of Appalachia's playoff/postseason games in 2002, though, there were some pretty interesting moments.

First was the 14-6 win over Burton in extremely muddy conditions, limiting both teams and preventing either from doing much of anything on Offense. Appalachia had a very close call in that game when most probably wouldn't have expected it. Then at the half-state game they whooped up on Bath Co. 42-14, but at the time it seems like Bath County's star quarterback was injured and didn't even see much playing time, so that had an effect I'm sure. Rather than a close game as most would have guessed, it ended up being more lopsided than any of their previous playoff games. And this was the half-state game, of them all! Who'da thunk-it?

I wonder if PV just had a bad game versus Honaker or if the competition Appalachia faced on the road to the state title was really that bad? Or, perhaps, was it that William Campbell was just really THAT DAMNED GOOD? Keep in mind this is pure speculation and that I could be completely wrong (and have often been before). Maybe someone knows the answer to this and more about the competition in the area at that time and at each level.

I remember being shocked when I heard the results of Appalachia's game versus William Campbell because on the Saturday just before, I was behind them at UVA-Wise when they absolutely crushed Bath County. It seemed so surreal to see what I thought was an 'unstoppable' team get absolutely embarassed by WC. My dad recorded the game when they aired it on one of the local channels and it was painful even to watch. Every time someone would get the ball, it would take no fewer than three Appalachia defenders to even bring them down. Man, what a crazy turn-around that year . . right at the very end of the road, of all places for it to happen.

[centennialdawg]

I still say that pass skidded on the ground and Spurlock did an excellent job of disquising it.

[imported_trumpet1988]

From what I remember about the Honaker game, PV got on the board first due to a safety. After that they scored a TD and missed the PAT. The halftime score was like 8 to 0 in favor of PV. PV had a pretty decent first half but the defense made some crucial mistakes and gave up twelve points to Honaker. I think the last play that decided the game was an incomplete pass or a Honaker guy making a good tackle?

That game, from what I remember was very cold, rainy, and muddy. That slowed both teams down. PV probably should have won in a close one but what should happen doesn't always happen. Have to give it to Honaker. They didn't give up.

I went and watched the GC/Honaker game with my dad a week later. Figured it would have been over 2 minutes going into the game. Honaker stepped it up and gave Gate City a bit of trouble. From what I remember, the special teams I think gave GC the winning touchdowns. The final score was 21 to 6. Was closer than the score indicated.

I remember listening to the Appy/Bath game while getting ready for a Christmas parade. I thought that the game would either be just really close if Appy won or a thrashing if Bath Co. won. Was wrong.

The GC/GW game wasn't a shocker as GW was supposedly peaking at the right time of the season and GC seemed to be complacent from the looks of the Honaker game though on paper GC probably should have beat GW's socks off and won state with ease but that didn't happen.

I remember the 49 to Goose Egg game PV had against GC that year. PV just got clobbered.

Remember coming home from all-district tryouts at John Battle. Our bus driver had the game on the radio. Once we got on the bus to go home the bus driver told me Appalachia was losing 28 to 0 at the half. Then it's like WC tore through them like a bull in a china shop. I remember them talking about the William Campbell taking a bow 15 seconds left in the game. Ridiculous. From the sounds of it WC could have won state in D4 that year. I guess karma happened against Appalachia from the times they beat teams like Pound 78 to 0.

[SWVA-Football]

Good post, thanks for the info.

It sounds like the field conditions during the PV/Honaker game must have been similar to those in the Appy/Burton game. They were both on the same day so it would make sense.

[1forall]

Rain Rain Rain the field was nothing but mud.