Lebanon Coach Embraces Another Challenge At Floyd County

LEBANON, Va. – John Adams hates to waste time.

The Lebanon football coach walks fast, speaks with authority and embraces challenges.

That efficient approach has often equaled success for the former Lebanon offensive lineman.
This season, the Adams plan yielded the first regional title for the Pioneers in 14 years.

Lebanon (9-3) tries to add to the success story today when it travels to Floyd County (12-0) in the Group A, Division 2 semifinals. Game time is 1 p.m.

After the graduation of 18 seniors, the Pioneers were not considered a state title contender in the preseason.
But with speedy tailback Drew Helbert and physical defender Lukas Addison serving as the centerpieces, Adams molded another winner.

“All the little pieces just kind of worked out,” Adams said. “We had several guys step up on the offensive line and other kids have played their roles.”

Floyd County has grabbed the spotlight this season in Group A. Led by quarterback Luke Harris, receiver Brett Holman (46 receptions) and Zach Bonham (717 yards rushing), the Buffaloes have averaged 31 points per game.

Entering last week’s 41-13 victory over Chilhowie, Harris had accounted for 25 touchdowns while passing for 1,791 yards passing and rushing for 893 yards.

“Harris is good, but Floyd has more then one player,” Adams said. “They have excellent receivers, a real good tight end and tough running backs. Floyd is just a gritty team.”

Lebanon displayed a mix of grit and quickness en route to rushing for 268 yards in a 19-13 win over defending Division 2 state runner-up Gate City last week.

“We knew what we to do,” Adams said. “We’ve always played pretty good defense against Gate City, but our offense stepped up Saturday and we ran the ball better against them than we have in while.”

Helbert, who contributed 128 yards rushing and two scores against Gate City, paced Lebanon in the regular season with 930 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Six-foot-three junior Jerome Cobb (460 yards), 6-3 senior quarterback Tarrell Lee (427 yards) and 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior fullback Daniel McClanahan (391 yards) have also been effective. Senior linebacker Marcus Smith (10 fumble recoveries) has been the leader on defense

According to Addison, the Pioneers entered the season with plenty of incentive.

“Even though we lost a bunch of seniors, we still had some experience coming back and we all wanted to make a name for ourselves,” said Addison, a standout at guard and linebacker.
“Football is big in our community. This is an exciting time for everybody.”

Few longtime fans in Southwest Virginia can forget the last time Lebanon advanced to the state semifinals in 1994.

On a pleasant day in Lebanon, the Powell Valley Vikings held off the Pioneers by a 34-33 score. Thomas Jones, currently playing in the National Football League, earned the headlines for PV by speeding for 268 yards and three scores. Jones also topped the 3,000-yard career rushing mark, surpassing the state record previously owned by Eric Bates of James Monroe.

“We held Jones under 300 yards, and I do mean held him,” Adams said. “Nathan McGlothlin had a big game (169 yards rushing, four scores) for us. We came up short on a two-point conversion late in the game.”

Adams said he hasn’t seen the replay of that classic. He would rather dwell on the task at hand.

“I’ve never played Floyd County before, and I’ve only been there once to scout a game,” Adams said. “I see a lot of see a lot of similarities between us, especially in terms of size.”

For Addison, today’s game is the culmination of a four-year quest. Addison and Stephen Martin are the lone Pioneers to spend four years on the varsity.

“I remember that first day of practice in my freshman year,” said Addison, a 6-2, 180-pound senior. “I got murdered by a senior. It was probably the worst hit I ever took. It’s amazing how things progress.”

Called a “Renaissance man” by his coach, Addison balances football with music and theatre. In addition to being named to the all-regional choir and taking a church mission trip to El Salvador, Addison appears in school plays and is a member of the Mountain Youth Drama group which performs in schools throughout Russell County.

“I try to be well-rounded,” Addison said. “The high school world can be pretty overwhelming at times, but there’s so much out there in life and I want to take in all it has to offer.”

Addison is eager to absorb another indelible life inexperience today.

“Not everybody gets the chance to compete in the state semifinals,” Addison said. “We were the underdogs all year, then all of a sudden we’ve come out of nowhere and bonded as a team.
“Everything happens for a reason.”

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544

Group A, Division 2

Lebanon at Floyd County

Speed often makes the difference in the playoffs, yet these two squads rely more on grit. Led by quarterback Luke Harris and a physical cast of backs, Floyd County has compiled more 4,000 yards total offense. While Lebanon lacks a potent passing game, the Pioneers feature a three-pronged attack in the backfield and a versatile junior in Andrew Jessee. Lebanon also has the edge in strength of schedule. Thanks to the big-play capability of Drew Helbert and Tarrell Lee, go with Lebanon in the upset.

Prediction: Lebanon 24, Floyd County 21