PREP FOOTBALL: BHC's Prep Picks

Friday
Region IV, Division 3
Marion at Richlands
Richlands has reeled off nine straight wins since opening the season with a 10-7 loss to Gate City. That run includes a 27-7 win at Marion at midseason where Austin Johnson broke open a close game with three scores. Marion held Richlands to 107 yards rushing. Only three teams have rushed for at least 100 yards against Marion, which held Grundy to zero yards rushing last week. Marion has solid hitters and several options on offense, but the Scarlet Hurricane lacks an answer for the big-play ability of Richlands.
Prediction: Richlands 30, Marion 10

Graham at Cave Spring
Few players in Southwest Virginia have been as productive as Graham quarterback David Marrs. After the G-Men opened the season with five straight losses, the 6-foot, 190-pound Marrs energized the team with his running, passing and punting skills. Marrs directed the game-winning fourth-quarter drive in last week’s 19-15 playoff victory over Tazewell. Cave Spring compiled 360 total yards en route to a 55-12 victory over Graham on Sept. 4. Quarterback Josh Woodrum keys the potent spread offense for Cave Spring.
Prediction: Cave Spring 32, Graham 14

Region C, Division 1
Rural Retreat at Holston
Holston makes its third straight regional playoff appearance and the Cavaliers begin defense of their regional title tonight against a familiar foe. Quarterback John Pratt overwhelmed Rural Retreat in Holston’s 41-8 victory on Oct. 16. Rural Retreat has improved since the month since that last meeting and quarterback Zayne Williams has made steady progress. Youthful Rural Retreat will have no answer for the Holston rushing attack of Pratt, Jeffrey Bramlett and Jordan Blevins.
Prediction: Holston 28, Rural Retreat 6

Region C, Division 2
Fort Chiswell at Chilhowie
Chilhowie handed Fort Chiswell its only loss of the season back in September, a fact not lost on the motivated Pioneers. The Warriors have been hampered by injuries and offensive inconsistency all season and must right that against the Pioneers if they want to win. Adam Powers, who accounted for Chilhowie’s lone score in the 6-0 win over FC earlier this season, has been banged up since midseason and is questionable for tonight’s contest. Aaron Conley (732 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns), wide receiver J-Rod Blevins (20 receptions, 289 yards, one TD) and Cody McMahan (760 passing yards, six TDs) must step up against a tough Fort Chiswell defense.
Prediction: Fort Chiswell 13, Chilhowie 6

Radford at George Wythe
George Wythe posted a 21-19 victory over Radford in the Maroons’ second game of the season, erasing a 19-point deficit and getting a key field goal block by Randy Divers in the final seconds. Radford, coached by former Castlewood head coach Matthew Saunders, is much-improved and beat Giles last week to advance. This game will likely come down to the wire.
Prediction: George Wythe 22, Radford 20

SATURDAY
Region D, Division 2
Powell Valley at Gate City
Gate City rushed for 330 yards en route to a 35-7 win at Powell Valley Oct. 23. Powerful junior Joseph Vaughn supplied 130 yards and three scores on 21 carries. Over the past four weeks of the season, GC outscored it foes by an average margin of 43-8. Powell Valley, which managed just 130 yards in the loss to GC, was forced to restructure its offense when Myron Pinkston was dismissed by the team in mid-October. PV, the Lonesome Pine District co-champion, clinched a playoff bid on the final week of the season with a 6-0 victory over rival Appalachia.
Prediction: Gate City 28, Powell Valley 7

J.J. Kelly at Lebanon
These two teams produced a playoff classic last season in Wise. Lebanon trailed 24-14 at halftime, and then rallied for a 35-32 win. The Pioneers, which won their first regional title in 14 years last season, took advantage of five Kelly turnovers and collected 362 total yards. J.J. Kelly is coming off an emotional 14-7 victory over J.I. Burton on Nov. 6. The Indians rushed for 173 yards, took advantage of four Burton turnovers and ended Burton’s strong of five straight shutouts. This game promises to be another heavy-metal classic, with gritty guys like Lucas Kerns of Kelly and Kevin Widener making some serious music.
Prediction: Lebanon 14, J.J. Kelly 7

Region D, Division 1
Haysi at J.I. Burton
It will be interesting to see how Burton bounces back from a 14-7 loss to rival J.J. Kelly in the final week of the regular season. The Raiders had a string of five shutouts snapped and were plagued by turnovers. Haysi is on a hot streak right now, having won five of six and claiming the Black Diamond District title. However, look for Burton end the Tigers’ season for the second year in a row.
Prediction: J.I. Burton 39, Haysi 6

Thomas Walker at Clintwood
Cumberland District’s reward for winning the Cumberland District is making the long trip to Clintwood to tangle with the powerful Greenwave. Clintwood crushed TW, 60-0, in last year’s playoffs and a similar scenario is likely to unfold on Saturday afternoon. Clintwood’s balanced rushing attack will have its way against a TW defense that has been suspect up front.
Prediction: Clintwood 48, Thomas Walker 12