Week 10 KTN previews

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Southwest Virginia

CLINTWOOD "? Months ago, Clintwood coach Rick Mullins nicely summed up the implications of Friday's showdown between J.I. Burton (8-0, 4-0) and the Greenwave (7-1, 3-0) at Ralph Cummins Stadium.

There are two Region D champions. There are two Group A state champions. There is only one Lonesome Pine District champion.

"It seems we've had a big game every week we've played this season. But this is as big as it gets,"? Mullins said.

Clintwood tied for a share of the crown in 1999. The last time the Greenwave won it outright was in 1987. The Raiders, meanwhile, are working on making it four straight.

Both squads are a lock for the Division 1 playoffs, but Friday's game has seeding implications. Clintwood has a 22.9 power rating while Burton has a 22.8.

Raider coach Jimbo Adams and his team are entirely focused on the moment at hand. They'll let the math take care of itself.

"Friday night is for the Lonesome Pine District championship. We win it, we're it, period,"? Adams said. "That's where it's at. It is what it is. As far as we're concerned, this is for all the marbles."?

Despite losing to Clintwood in last year's Region D championship game, Norton remains in the midst of one of the most impressive unbroken dynastic runs of any in Southwest Virginia football history. This year's squad enjoys continuity with past teams in many respects, but has fixed its own unique stamp on the Burton football tradition.

Running the double wing offense, the Raiders have had exceptional speed at slotback before. But Jaycob Coleman (57-1159, 12 TDs) and Martinez Miles (52-984, 17 TDs) also boast unprecedented strength and physicality. Both can flat-out fly. Both can knock your head off. Both are beasts on the defensive side of the ball.

Coleman, a senior, is being courted by Marshall, William & Mary, Richmond and several Division II programs. Miles, a junior, is already on Virginia Tech's recruiting radar.

"The slotbacks are unbelievable athletes. We don't have anybody in practice that can give us a look at that kind of speed,"? Mullins said. "You can be in good position against them and if you don't play it just right, they can go 70 yards every time they touch the football."?

Clintwood also has its talked-about athletes. Running back Chris Robinson, who has rushed for 1,028 yards and 21 touchdowns, has attracted interest from James Madison. Two-way tackle Russell Hull is probably Southwest Virginia's best lineman, while linebacker Alec Osborne is a defensive playmaker far out of proportion to his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.

Adams, for one, is one of Osborne's biggest admirers. But he predicts the ultimate difference-makers in Friday's clash will be players whose names aren't as well known.

"All the big-name players are going to make big plays,"? Adams said. "The question is, how is everybody around them going to play? Are they going to play with intensity?"?

Preview capsules

Gate City (7-1, 3-0) at Lee High (2-5, 1-1)

This might ordinarily be a good time for the Generals to lay an ambush. Unfortunately for Lee High, the Blue Devils should be on high alert after last week's 13-0 win over Powell Valley "? and Gate City has a Clinch Mountain District championship to clinch with a win here. Blue Devils RB Joseph Vaughn (95-706, 7 TDs) continues to impress while QB Tihlee Anderson "? who has passed for 495 yards and three TDs while rushing for 436 yards and nine scores "? continues to find a way to take two steps forward for every step back. Generals RB Tyler Graham (134-768, 6 TDs) has led the squad in rushing for six of the last seven games. QB Tyler Mullins has passed for 418 yards and four touchdowns, rushing for 301 yards and three TDs. Gate City boasts the highest Division 2 power rating in Region D (22.3) and is a good bet to be the playoffs' top seed.

Pound (3-5, 1-2) at Powell Valley (3-5, 0-3)

Look past the overall identical records and the similarities end. Whether at RB, QB or on the defensive side of the football, Myron Pinkston is playing some impressive football. He has rushed for 704 yards and passed for 131 and two scoring strikes. RB Jordan Martin has rushed for 412 yards. Last week, Wildcats RB Aaron Balthis accounted for 246 yards offense "? 121 yards rushing and 125 yards receiving. The Vikings are still in the mix for postseason play with a 15.9 rating in Division 2.

Appalachia (1-7, 0-3) at J.J. Kelly (6-2, 2-2)

This game has been moved to Thursday night due to Friday's forecast for rain. Clintwood took a little starch out of the Indians last week, but Kelly "? certainly playoff-bound with a 20.1 rating "? should provide stiff competition for the Bulldogs. Indians RB Jordan Bates has rushed for 788 yards and nine TDs while Devan Sproles has been good for 488 yards and five scores. RBs Tyler Barker and Cody Carter pace the Bulldog rushing attack.

St. Paul (2-6, 1-3) at Rye Cove (3-5, 2-2)

Despite being one game away from arch-rival Twin Springs, the Eagles probably aren't looking past the Deacons. Steven Vikara leads Rye Cove in rushing (88-613, 9 TDs) and receiving (13-240, 2 TDs) and has even thrown a couple of TD passes. St. Paul QB Tyler Phillips (1,040 yards, 7 TDs passing, 309 yards rushing) and RB Denver Fritz (499 yards, 5 TDs) lead the Deacons offense.

Thomas Walker (4-4, 3-1) at Twin Springs (5-3, 4-0)

The Titans can clinch the Cumberland District championship outright by beating the Pioneers. Thomas Walker can earn a shot at a share of the title by holding fast at Nickelsville. Twin Springs rode a balanced attack to victory against Castlewood last week. QB Michael Salyer, RB Adam Gillenwater and WR Kris Jordan are the tip of the Titans' offensive iceberg. RBs Zach Hensley and Jamie Twigg fuel the Pioneers.

Holston (7-2, 3-2) at Castlewood (6-2, 3-2)

Despite a solid 17.0 rating in the Division 1 standings, Castlewood needs to keep winning "? and Twin Springs needs to start losing "? for the Blue Devils to find a way to slip into the playoffs. Thanks to a Black Diamond District title, Haysi (18.6 rating) will occupy one of the Division 1 slots remaining after Clintwood and J.I. Burton finish jockeying for position.

Ervinton (0-8) at Twin Valley (0-8)

A slew of "300"? DVDs are probably warm to the touch this week in Dickenson and Buchanan counties. Good luck, and may the best team win.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vt_leefan86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ervinton (0-8) at Twin Valley (0-8)

A slew of "300"? DVDs are probably warm to the touch this week in Dickenson and Buchanan counties. Good luck, and may the best team win. </div></div>

LOL [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PassMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vt_leefan86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ervinton (0-8) at Twin Valley (0-8)

A slew of "300"? DVDs are probably warm to the touch this week in Dickenson and Buchanan counties. Good luck, and may the best team win. </div></div>

LOL [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>
It's kinda sad one of them has to get a win out of this. Can't they just agree on a tie and keep the left number at 0 hahaha