PREP FOOTBALL: Gate City runs over Powell Valley

BY JOSH FLOYD
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
GATE CITY, Va. – When one thinks of a menacing triple threat involving Greek mythology, Cerberus – the original three-headed menacing presence – quickly comes to the forefront.

And while Gate City’s three main rushing backs aren’t of the furry growling variety, rest assured that their respective “bite” continues to be felt around the region – especially against long-time Southwest Virginia foe Powell Valley Saturday.

The top-seeded Blue Devils – paced by 100-yard rushing performances from Dusty Clark, Trey Clark and Joseph Vaughn – amassed 286 of their 386 yards on the ground in the opening half to help post a
definitive 33-12 Region D, Division 2 first-round decision at Legion Field.

“We really push each other, plus we practice really hard,” admitted Vaughn, who also added 53 return yards in the victory. “It’s really good to have other guys that can give you a break, especially when they can run the ball that well.”

With Powell Valley loading up their aggressive defense on the right side to hopefully negate Gate City’s off-tackle attack, the Blue Devils (10-1) responded by motion and counters off their unbalanced line away from the stacking and towards their own bench. The adjustment off left tackle consistently worked for the hosts, who needed just 18 offensive plays to garner a commanding 27-6 edge early in the
second.

“Our kids have worked hard up front,” noted Gate City coach Bill Houseright, whose squad will battle Clinch Mountain District foe Lebanon next Saturday at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise for the regional title. “We noticed in the films that everybody is traveling with [Joseph], so we’ve been working on coming back with a little counter this week. We did a good job with it.”

Despite the overall focus against Vaughn, the Gate City back still garnered 111 yards on 19 carries with three scores. Teammate Trey Clark, meanwhile, finished with a game-high 135 yards on just 12 attempts, with Dusty Clark racing for 133 yards and two TDs behind 21 attempts.

“We have a lot of people we can throw back there, along with a lot of stuff we can do,” admitted quarterback Dusty Clark, whose 31-yard TD run on the game’s second play was certainly a tone-setter during a rather unusually balmy November afternoon. “When our line blocks like they can – as [we] saw in the first half – we’re pretty good.”

The Vikings (5-6) engineered a well-constructed drive to begin the third quarter behind the play of quarterback Jacob Huff. Operating out of the shotgun for much of Saturday’s contest, Huff finished a respectable 14-of-26 with 160 yards and two TDs – including his 35-yard scoring seam route strike to teammate Gil Lusk for the lone second-half score.

Huff, who hit Lusk in stride despite staring into the faces of three different Blue Devil rushers, also threw for a first-half touchdown with his 26-yard floater to Nathan Baker.

“We feel like [Huff] has improved more in the last two weeks, along with linebacker Kendall Lomax,” said Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins, whose squad won their final two Lonesome Pine District games to qualify for the playoffs. “That’s the secret to getting to the playoffs – having that extra practice time with your young kids.
“We’ve got good young kids, and we want them to get better.”

The aforementioned Pioneers defeated J.J. Kelly 30-6 in Saturday’s other Region D, Division 2 contest. Lebanon, which beat Gate City for the regional crown a year ago, lost a close 13-7 CMD decision against the Blue Devils back on Sept. 18.