PREP FOOTBALL: 'Same ol' story for Pioneers, Blue Devils

John Adams is a stickler for details, but the veteran Lebanon football coach doesn’t need an extensive scouting report for his next opponent.

For the third straight year, Lebanon will face the Gate City Blue Devils in the regional playoffs.

“It’s the same ol’ stuff as always with Gate City,” Adams said. “We have to stop their running game.”

Gate City rushed for 296 yards en route to a 31-22 win over Lebanon in the Region D, Division 2 semifinals two years ago at Legion Field in Gate City. In last year’s regional championship at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Lebanon held the Blue Devils to 97 yards rushing en route to a 19-13 victory.

The rematch in Wise is set for today at 4 p.m.

“We had a real good effort on defense last year, and we were fortunate to make some plays with our running and passing games,” Adams said. “To beat Gate City, you need to score at least three touchdowns. We were able to do that.”

The Blue Devils (10-1) relied on the power running of 188-pound junior fullback Joseph Vaughn in a 13-7 victory over Lebanon earlier this season. Vaughn, who has scored 23 touchdowns, topped the 1,100-yard rushing mark for the second straight season.

“[Vaughn] is a hard-charging dude,” Adams said. “He’s hard to bring down with one tackle.”

Junior quarterback Dusty Clark has contributed 999 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns for Gate City, while 5-foot-5 senior halfback Trey Clark has added 438 yards. Senior Aaron Stokes (5-foot-9, 298) leads the line corps.

“Gate City is hard to stop once they get to the 50-yard line,” Adams said. “We’ve got to make them punt a few times and stay away from the turnovers that hurt us in our first game with Gate City.”

Lebanon (7-4) lost two fumbles in that Sept. 18 loss. It was just one chapter in a season Adams described as “full of drama.”

Saddled by injuries, illness and other issues, Lebanon also lost to Tazewell, Richlands and Marion.

“We had a chance to win probably three of the four games, but little things here and there hurt us,” Adams said. “We’ve just had a lot of ‘Days of Our Lives’ type stuff on this team. We have a unique bunch, with a lot of free spirits.”

The Pioneers won their first regional title in 14 years last season. Part of the success can be credited to the installation of a spread offense and varied passing attack.

Andrew Jessee, a 6-foot-1 senior quarterback, has thrown for 1,400 yards and 21 scores this season. Andrew Cobb, a 6-foot-2 senior leaper, has 40 receptions and nine TD receptions. Senior Bob Jones and 6-foot-5 senior tight Kevin Widener have combined for 11 scores.
Jessee completed 10 of 12 passes for 188 yards and two scores in last week’s 30-6 playoff win over J.J. Kelly.

“Kelly is a tough team to run against, and our passing game really helped,” Adams said. “We’re not the kind of running team we have been in the past, so we will have to pass some Gate City.”

Senior Dylan Smith leads the Pioneers with nearly 800 yards rushing, while 160-pound Justin Adams provides blocking at fullback.

According to Jones, the Pioneers received an emotional lift when 6-foot-2 senior linebacker Lucas Smith returned to the team last week following a broken left leg suffered in the second game of the season.

“Lucas is a big strong man and a leader on our defense,” Jones said. “Lucas put in a lot of work to work back from his injury, and we really appreciate it. Having Lucas back on the field gives us a lot of inspiration.”

John Adams hopes his team can build off last week’s crisp performance against Kelly.

“That was probably the best game we’ve played in a while,” Adams said. “We need the same type of effort Saturday. Gate City runs the ball real well, they play defense like they’ve always done and they have an excellent kicking game.

“About the only thing they don’t do a whole lot is throw the ball. Of course, Gate City doesn’t need to throw.”

First-year Gate City head coach Bill Houseright has followed the traditional blueprint that former coach Nick Colobro used to compile 235 wins and two state titles.

“Gate City is used to winning,” Adams said. “It’s been a while since we’ve played for two regional championships in a row, but this is a familiar game.”

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