HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Holston returns to postseason

Page 1C, 11-12-07

Holston qualifies for Region C playoffs for first time since ’95

BY TIM HAYES

Bristol Herald Courier

The dry spell has ended in Damascus. The Holston High School football team is back in the postseason.

The Cavaliers qualified for the Region C, Division 1 playoffs for the first time since 1995 and will host Bath County in the first round on Friday night. The Virginia High School League officially released its playoff pairings on Sunday and perhaps nobody was happier than first-year Holston coach Jason Matlock.

"This is huge for our program, our school and our community," Matlock said. "It is our first winning season and playoff berth since ’95 and the first time that we will host a playoff game in 22 years.

"The excitement is high, and I’m glad that the hard work of these young men in the weight room and the practice field is translating into some success that is great for the entire program."

Second-seed Holston (6-4) hasn’t played since an October 26 victory over Castlewood, but Matlock feels his team used the break wisely and that a long layoff will not hurt his team.

Ironically, Bath County (6-4) was the team Holston played the last time it reached the postseason.

Holston has been one of the most inspiring stories in Southwest Virginia this fall. The Cavs won just one game last season and few figured they would be a contender this fall.

"It feels great to be in the postseason," Matlock said. "We set a goal at the beginning of the season to make it to the playoffs, and our guys worked towards that goal."

Rural Retreat (7-3), which has won the last three regional titles, will host Bland (7-3) in the other Region C, Division 1 semifinal.

The following is a brief look at the other playoff matchups:

Region C, Division 2 — Radford’s upset victory over Floyd County on Friday night meant that Floyd (7-3) fell from the third seed to the fourth seed and will travel to fellow Three Rivers District rival Giles (9-1) or a first-round matchup. Meanwhile, Hogoheegee District champion George Wythe (9-1) will host Grayson County (8-2) in the other semifinal.

Region D, Division 2 — Lebanon won the inaugural Clinch Mountain District title, but that was only good for a third seed and the Pioneers will have to travel to CMD member Gate City (7-3) for a first-round game. Lebanon (8-2) beat the Blue Devils 33-13 on September 14.

Powell Valley (7-3) earned the top seed and will host Black Diamond District champ Honaker (6-4) in the other regional semifinal. The Vikings beat Honaker in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Region D, Division 1 — Clintwood (6-4) clinched a playoff berth with Friday’s 37-0 win over Appalachia. The Greenwave will host Appalachia (6-4) on Saturday in the first round, just eight days after closing out the regular season against the Bulldogs.

Cumberland District champion St. Paul (8-2) travels to defending regional champ J.I. Burton (9-1) in the other game.

Region IV, Division 3 — A rematch will highlight the first round of Region IV, Division 3 playoffs. Marion (6-4) will travel to Graham (6-4) for the second time this season and will look to avenge a 13-8 setback to the G-Men on September 14.

Top-seeded Richlands (8-2) will host Piedmont District member Patrick County (5-5) in the other semifinal.

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