PREP FOOTBALL: Holston, Tazewell Comebacks Mark Start of SWVA Playoffs

The football playoffs in Southwest Virginia begin this weekend, and they feature many familiar faces: Richlands, Gate City, Powell Valley, Lebanon, Clintwood and J.I. Burton are all making their annual appearances.

However, the storylines run much deeper.

A year after winning just one game, Tazewell is back in the playoffs as a top seed. Thomas Walker is in the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, and former also-ran
Holston makes its second consecutive trip to the Region C, Division 1 playoffs.

Here is a look at the regional playoff games involving Southwest Virginia teams. Dates and times will be announced later this week:

REGION C, DIVISION 1
Holston earned its first playoff bid since 1995 last season and lost 27-20 to Bath County in the opening round.

This season, the Cavaliers (8-2) edged Bland for the top seed and will play host to Three Rivers District member Eastern Montgomery (5-5) on Friday night.

Holston head coach Jason Matlock and his team now know the postseason routine.

“I think it’s big for us that it’s not a new experience,” Matlock said. “We can kind of build on the experience we had last year and hopefully correct some things last year that led to our being unsuccessful.”

Mountain Empire District champion Bland (9-1) will play host to Pioneer District titleist Bath County (7-3) in the other semifinal.

REGION C, DIVISION 2
George Wythe (6-4) and Chilhowie (9-1) will represent the Hogoheegee District, and both will face strong Three Rivers District foes in the opening round.

GW, the district champion, will travel to Three Rivers District champion Floyd County (10-0) for a rematch of one of the area’s best regular-season games. Floyd County posted a 40-39 overtime victory over the Maroons on Sept. 12 in Wytheville.

Chilhowie (9-1) lost to George Wythe in the regular-season finale on Halloween night, but the defeat did not cost the Warriors a spot in the playoffs. They earned the third seed and will play host to Giles (6-4) on Friday night.

Chilhowie is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, when it lost to Giles in the first round, and has its first home playoff game since 2001.

REGION D, DIVISION 1
Clintwood and J.I. Burton are the heavyweights in this division, so most fans expect a rematch in the regional finals. Clintwood defeated Burton 27-13 at home on Oct. 24.

Both teams open at home: Clintwood (9-1) takes on Thomas Walker (6-4); Burton (9-1) faces Black Diamond District champion Haysi (8-2).

Thomas Walker (6-4) is making its first playoff appearance since 1997. The Pioneers tied Twin Springs for the Cumberland District title but earned a regional bid because of a higher
Virginia High School League power-point rating.

REGION D, DIVISION 2
Lebanon enters the playoffs as perhaps the area’s hottest team. The Pioneers have won four straight, including last weekend’s 14-7 triumph against Tazewell.

“We were really pleased with beating a good team like that,” Lebanon coach John Adams said. “I feel like we played with playoff intensity.”

The Pioneers (7-3) play at J.J. Kelly (7-3) in the first round. Kelly is in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Defending regional champion Gate City (8-2) plays host to Powell Valley (5-5) in the other semifinal.

REGION IV, DIVISION 3
Tazewell has enjoyed the greatest turnaround of any team in Southwest Virginia, rebounding from last season’s 1-9 showing to post an 8-2 record this fall.

The Bulldogs (8-2) open the playoffs at home against Southwest District rival Graham (4-6).

Defending regional champion Richlands (7-3) plays host to Patrick County (7-3) in the other semifinal.

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