Tonight’s lone regular-season matchup in Southwest Virginia has major implications.
When Thomas Walker (6-3) makes the short trip to Five Star Stadium to face Lee High (1-8), the outcome will have a major impact on the playoff picture in both Division 1 and Division 2 in Region D.
But for the two teams involved, it will be a history-making affair. The contest marks the first time the two Lee County rivals have ever squared off on the gridiron.
Nearly 27 years ago, Thomas Walker had the ultimate first. It was on Nov. 5, 1982, that the Pioneers posted the first varsity football win in school history, an 18-14 win over Twin Springs.
The school had fielded its first team that fall and under the direction of head coach Gary Wolfe the team had taken its lumps early. In the school’s first game on Aug. 27, 1982 the Pioneers suffered a 45-7 beating at the hands of Rye Cove.
Yet, the team found the winning formula in its final regular-season contest. Trailing 14-6 heading into the fourth quarter, Mike Mangus and Tim Rouse scored touchdowns to
complete a comeback and earn the first victory. Rouse was at the center of several historical moments that fall, having scored the first varsity touchdown in school history in the
season-opener against Rye Cove.
More history will be made tonight in Lee County. Now for a look at historical moments that occurred on this date in history:
Nov. 12, 1954
Robert Gudger’s 40-yard touchdown pass to C.R. Silas in the first quarter accounted for Slater High School of Bristol’s lone score in an 18-7 loss to Greeneville. … Harry Parrish had a touchdown run and also intercepted two passes, leading Virginia High to a 21-0 victory over Tennessee High. Joey Arnold and Jack Wright also scored touchdowns for the Bearcats.
Nov. 8, 1963
Damon Carter’s three touchdown runs highlighted Wise’s 33-0 beatdown of Haysi. … Ronnie Odle scored on touchdown runs of 54 and 45 yards in Coeburn’s 12-0 victory over Pound. … Grundy posted a 23-7 win over Richlands behind two TDs from Ronnie Davis. Richlands’ lone score came on David Lowe’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Billy Kidd.
Nov. 10, 1972
Mike Kilgore’s touchdown run and Robert Clisso’s extra-point kick were the difference in Wise’s 7-6 win over Ervinton. … Behind two touchdowns from David Henegar, Tazewell topped John Battle, 21-14. Battle quarterback Jerry Chorosevic threw two touchdown passes to Pat Fitzgerald to account for the Trojans’ scores. … Ron Harper scored twice, but it wasn’t enough as Sullivan Central suffered a 49-16 loss to Elizabethton. Dale Fair notched three touchdowns to lead the Cyclones.
Nov. 13, 1981
Ricky Noel gained 107 yards on 16 carries and reached the end zone twice, leading Tazewell to a 28-14 triumph over Narrows in the Region IV playoffs. Gary Stansbury and Jimmy King also scored for the Bulldogs. … Chilhowie’s Tony Taylor made 15 tackles in the Warriors’ 48-7 blowout of Fries in the Region C playoffs.
Nov. 9, 1990
Gary “Two” Morton’s 10-yard scoring run in overtime gave Tennessee High a 21-14 triumph over Greeneville in the first round of the TSSAA Class AAA playoffs. … Jamie Bryant piled up 204 rushing yards and four touchdowns in J.J. Kelly’s 41-6 win over Rye Cove. … Sam Daniels gained 315 yards on 14 carries and reached the end zone twice in J.I. Burton’s 60-0 destruction of Thomas Walker.
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