the ARMY mascot at court side during a ESPN timeout
the ARMY mascot at court side during a ESPN timeout
High school football playoffs continue Friday night, and five ” Big-11 ” teams remain in the hunt.
Four games comprise that five-team lineup with three taking place in the Roanoke Valley. Here’s a look at week-two. High fives go out to North Cross for their runner-up finish last Saturday in the VIS Div. III state final.
Group 4A North:
DOMINION at SALEM: 7-4 Dominion rolls into Salem Stadium looking to upset the 9-2 Spartans. Salem should have the upper hand in this one and the Spartan fans will undoubtably be the tweflth man.
Group 3A West:
MONTICELLO at NORTHSIDE-
A pair of 10-1 teams square off at Jim Hickam Field. Monticello has scored over 30 points in all 10 wins and lost by one in the only loss. The Vikings only loss came in overtime at Botetourt. Should be some offense on display.
WILLIAM BYRD at HERITAGE-
The 9-2 Terriers travel to Lynchburg to take on undefeated Heritage. Count on Byrd coach Jeff Highfill to bring all kinds of tricks out of the magic hat. Just ask Salem.
HIDDEN VALLEY at LORD BOTETOURT-
Two ” Big-11 ” squads battle it out in Daleville. Hidden Valley is 5-1 in its last six games; so are the Cavaliers. Can the Titans stop Chris Thompson? Can the Cavs stop the Brand/Dermott duo? Better be in Daleville for our Loudmouth spotlight game.
Now, we serve up some volleyball.
Congratulations go out to Roanoke Catholic for their third straight VIS D-III state championship title. The 3-1 win over Westover Christian capped off a 20-4 season for the Celtics.
Northside and Hidden Valley serve it up in opposite brackets of Group 3A Thursday at the VCU Siegle Center in Richmond. Northside takes on Warhill at 5 p.m. with Hidden Valley battling leather with Lafayette at 7. The winners play for the state title Saturday at 3 p.m. in what could hopefully be an all- ” Big-11 ” final.
Next, as promised, the Top-5 moments of the ” Big-11 ” football regular season.
NUMBER 5: The Wild Bill All-Star First Team
A mathematical tie for every player on all eleven ” Big-11 ” teams. From preseason preparation in the dog days of August to playoff games in December, everyone who put on the pads makes the first team. A lot of commitment for those Friday night and Saturday afternoon games. Good job, guys and girls.
NUMBER 4: The Sash Bearer Also Wears Cleats
Talk about getting caught off guard. I’m covering the PH homecoming game and notice Patriot #20 on the sideline. I wondered if head coach Alan Fiddler had brought up a player from the 8th grade team. #20 is dwarfed by the two players standing to each side. Moments later, halftime arrives and the Homecoming Queen is announced. Oh, my goodness–it’s #20 again. PH senior Ammie Cook has played on the varsity team for three years. She told me later that her height and weight listed in the game program are simply a diversion. She’s in fact, barely 5 feet tall and weighs 95 pounds. No problem- Ammie is a defensive back and can tackle with authority.
NUMBER 3: Miracle at Bogle
Unbelievable finish in the November 1st game at Dwight Bogle Stadium where Cave Spring and Blacksburg were both on the bubble for a playoff spot. Blacksburg led 21-14 with 1:30 left, seemingly only needing to run out the clock. The Bruins fumbled on their second run and Cave Spring recovered. Three plays later, Blacksburg intercepted a Cave Spring pass at the one-yard line to seal it. But, hold on. One dive into the line lost 2 feet and Cave Spring took their final time out. Take a knee and a safety? The Bruins look to just move the ball forward to end the game, but confusion reigns and Austin Amos comes out of the pile with the ball for the tying Knight touchdown. Minutes later Cave Spring draws up a new play to win in overtime.
NUMBER 2: Game of the Year in Daleville
The collision course everyone had waited for. Undefeated Northside taking on undefeated Lord Botetourt at Cavalier Stadium on October 18th. The stands started filling up two hours prior to kickoff and spectators lined the field eight-deep in spots. They weren’t disappointed. After a 0-0 halftime standoff. Botetourt scored twice and Northside answered each time to send the game to overtime. The Cavaliers opened OT with a touchdown, then held the Vikings on four straight plays to get what Botetourt head coach Jamie Harless described as a program-changing win.
NUMBER 1: The Touchdown
The night of November 1st and Lord Botetourt is well in control at Staunton River. Fourth quarter and head coach Jamie Harless sends in #89, running back Josh Leonard. It’s not the typical substitution. Leonard is a special needs student at Lord Botetourt and also attends Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center. He’s never carried the ball in a varsity game. Leonard takes the handoff and heads straight up the middle for a 30-yard touchdown run. Harless, Staunton River coach Chuck Poston and his players, along with the referees, are aware the play is coming. Harless told me the following Monday, “it’s all about helping children doing something special.” Poston had commented to reporters after the game that it was bigger than high school football. Leonard sat down with me during a break in practice to talk about his TD. “I was very nervous,” he admitted. ” I’m very proud because I scored it for God.” What a play, Josh ! !t just doesn’t get any better than this.
A little housekeeping, and thanks go out to VMI for my invitation to the All-Military Basketball Classic November 9th in Lexington. Today’s picture is me with the ARMY mascot at court side during a ESPN timeout. The mule and the corps of cadets liked the Loudmouth pants. “The most fun you can have with your pants on.”
Next time we take on the annual folly of ” IS it a sport? ” Send your best shots to [email protected]
– Bill Turner