KTN Week 5 SWVA previews

http://timesnews.net/article.php?id=9008183

Prep preview: D-B faces Jeff County; Powell Valley takes on Burton

Published 09/17/2008 By Bill Lane and George Thwaites

Southwest Virginia

NORTON "? Remember a Thanksgiving night when Thomas Jones of the Chicago Bears took to the field across from Julius Jones of the Dallas Cowboys?

Forget it. That golden memory has absolutely nothing to do with Friday's Lonesome Pine District clash between Powell Valley and J.I. Burton at Lawson-Fitchko Stadium. It's a dubious analogy, at best.

Malcolm Pinkston's debut in uniform for the Raiders (3-0, 2-0) has been an inevitable source of community chatter this week, given twin brother Myron Pinkston's increasing profile with the Vikings (2-1, 0-0). But neither coach is intrigued by this potentially distracting storyline.

Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins, who dismissed Malcolm Pinkston from the team in August due to an unspecified infraction of team rules, refuses to discuss his former three-year starter at all.

J.I. Burton coach Jimbo Adams, who allowed the prodigal Pinkston to practice with the Raiders shortly after he officially enrolled with the Norton City school, isn't as close-mouthed on the subject as Robbins. But he still doesn't care to dwell on it.

"We play a team concept here at Burton. He's one of 40,"? said Adams, who affirmed Pinkston's eligibility for Friday's ballgame.

"He's a good kid and seems to be accepting the opportunity of getting a second chance."?

Adams said Pinkston will be playing some on both sides of the football, but how much "will depend on the situation."?

It's not as if the unbeaten Raiders were lost in the wilderness before Pinkston showed up.

Offensively, Burton already boasts five players averaging double-digit yards per carry, the chief three being slotbacks Martinez Miles (16-334, 20.9 yards per carry) and Jaycob Coleman (22-308, 14.0), as well as quarterback Devin Talley (11-136, 12.4). The same athletes "? and others, like linebacker Will Godsey "? have been responsible for Burton's continued successes on the defensive side of the football.

Both teams have enjoyed open dates prior to this week's game. Robbins said he hasn't used the extra time to cook up many surprises.

"We're just trying to get better as a football team every week. We're not trying to trick anybody. I think I've made that mistake enough in my life,"? said Robbins.

Running back Myron Pinkston has flourished in his brother's absence. He leads the Viking rushing attack (56-222, 3 TDs), but has impressed equally as a blocking back for teammate Jordan Martin (40-179, 3 TDs).

The apple didn't fall far from the tree in quarterback Gil Lusk, a shrewd student of the game who has thrown for 172 yards and a score while directing traffic for the Viking offense.

As Army strong as he is cat-quick, Pinkston is also a surprising force on the Viking defensive interior line, creating problems along with defensive end Michael Mullins. Linebacker Dakota Cantrell is a huge playmaker in the middle with other solid athletes filling out the secondary.

Burton has won the last three meetings between the two teams, nipping the Vikings 30-26 at Bullitt Park last year after capitalizing on two crucial Powell Valley turnovers and a big special teams play from Talley.

Don't think for a moment that it ever gets old for the Raiders.

"They're a great program with a great tradition,"? Adams said. "Coach Robbins is a (VHSL) Hall of Fame coach and a National Coach of the Year. Any time you play somebody with those kinds of accolades, it excites you as a coach.

"If you look at their teams for the last 25 years, they're a Hall of Fame program. Our kids get excited from that standpoint."?

Preview capsules

Twin Springs (1-3, 0-0) at St. Paul (2-1, 1-0)

The Titans stopped the skid with last week's 26-17 win at John Battle "? a shocking outcome and indication that football is on firmer footing in Nickelsville. RBs Daniel Smith (36-246, 3 TDs) and Adam Gillenwater (24-107) make good use of the bruising Titans front, while QB Michael Salyers makes good use of his time in the pocket: he's thrown for 233 yards and four TDs, all four scoring strikes to WR Chris Jordan (9-183). QB Tyler Phillips and RB Denver Fritz fuel the Deacons, who beat Twin Springs 48-24 last year.

Rye Cove (1-2, 0-0) at Castlewood (3-0, 1-0)

War Eagle RB Steven Vikara led Rye Cove in last week's win over Appalachia, proving a threat as both a ball carrier and receiver. Teddy Parker is also pounding the football for the Warbirds. The unbeaten Blue Devils, who beat Rye Cove 18-6 last season, are paced by RB Ryan Phillips and QB Corey Davis.

Coeburn (2-2, 1-0) at Thomas Walker (2-2, 1-1)

The Pioneers seek payback for last year's 14-6 loss at Coeburn. RB-WR Zach Hensley paces the Thomas Walker rushing attack with 354 yards and six scores. QB Travis Hall has passed for 415 yards and seven touchdowns. RB Shane Bright, who has rushed for 476 yards and seven TDs and QB John Dean, who has passed for 256 yards and two TDs, pace the Coeburn offense.

Appalachia (0-4) at Gate City (2-1)

This could be another one of those young Bulldog squads that takes its lumps now in order to serve them up later "? but only if the personnel hews to the local traditions and work ethic. Gate City is certainly sticking to its knitting: QB Tihlee Anderson has rushed for 232 yards and three TDs while passing for 211 and a score. Sophomore RB Justin Vaughn is turning into a workhorse of the Blue Devil rushing attack

Lebanon (2-1) at Clintwood (4-0)

If last week was any indication, Ralph Cummins Field has regained its status as a hostile environment for interlopers. The crowd is definitely getting into it these days. Greenwave RB Chris Robinson has rushed for 461 yars and 10 TDs so far while QB Heath Counts has passed for 362 yards and four scores. If injured Lebanon RB Drew Helbert is forced to sit this one out, the Pioneers could face a long night in Dickenson County.

Harlan County (2-1) at Lee High (1-2)

A week after loaded Middlesboro unloaded on the Generals, Lee High looks to even up the columns against Harlan County "? not to be confused with Harlan Independent, which Lee High beat 43-0 on Sept. 5. The Black Bears are led by RB Nathaniel Gilliam, who has rushed for 261 yards and two TDs, while QB Zach Blanton has passed for 245 yards and three scores. RB Tyler Graham (53-352) stokes the Lee High rushign attack while QB Tyler Mullins has passed for 211 yards and a score. WR Scotty Woliver (12-168, 1 TD) leads the receivers.

J.J. Kelly (3-1) at Grundy (1-2)

The Indians appear to be back on the warpath. RB Devan Sproles has rushed for 384 yards and four TDs while QB Matt Dotson has passed for 380 yards and two TDs. Garth Nicely paces the Indian receiving corps with eight catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. Last year, Kelly beat the Golden Wave 44-6. Grundy has a big offensive line that was instrumental in its 26-44 win over East Ridge two weeks ago.