By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer
—
Forget about Football Friday.
For one night, anyway.
This is Football Thursday, since several area teams decided to change their schedules to avoid butting heads with Friday night’s West Virginia at Marshall game.
Seven games are on tap, including two battles of unbeatens.
At Coal City, Independence will put its 2-0 mark on the line against high-scoring Greenbrier West.
The host Patriots are coming off two close wins. They defeated Sherman 14-7 last Friday at Seth after stopping Midland Trail 29-20 two weeks ago in the season opener.
“We’ve played real solid, and the kids have responded to the challenges of the first two weeks,” coach Scotty Cuthbert said. “Now we have to have an A-plus game. We’ve got the real deal coming in.”
West has had its way with opponents, pounding Shady Spring 53-14 opening night before whipping Class A power Richwood 47-0 last Friday.
“We’ve got a little bit of experience, which is always a plus early in the season,” coach Lewis McClung said. “We’ve got real good chemistry and they’re playing well together.”
The Cavaliers aren’t real fancy. They line up and run at you. They’ve got backs to spare, but alternating tailbacks Jabez Fleming and Dylan Trout are having banner years.
Last week Fleming gained 122 yards and scored touchdowns of 48 and 1 yard on just 14 carries.
Trout gained 57 yards and scored on 4- and 1-yard runs
“Both Jabez and Dylan play defense, and if we can rest them on alternate series, that makes us stronger as the game goes on,” McClung said.
In all, West has gained 762 yards on the ground, compared to only 55 through the air.
Quarterback Chase Fitzwater doesn’t throw a lot, but he runs the option well and is effective when he does throw. Halfback Janeek Wiggan has speed and is another big threat.
“They have four outstanding backs,” Cuthbert said of the Cavaliers. “You can’t key on anybody.”
Independence also utilizes several backs, led by Adam Whitt, who has 73 and 68 yards in the two games.
Chris Nelson and Travis Mills also line up in the backfield. Quarterback Jeff Cook doesn’t pass much, but has been solid running the team, and transfer Kevin Hayes has scored a couple of TDs while playing wildcat.
“Independence is not as big as they usually are, but they’re awfully quick,” McClung said. “That concerns me. If Whitt gets loose on us, we won’t catch him.”
———
The other battle of unbeatens sees defending Class AA state champion Bluefield playing at AAA Greenbrier East.
Bluefield has blanked its two top rivals, cross-town Graham 48-0 on opening day and Princeton 17-0.
East pulled out a 24-22 win two weeks ago at Lincoln County, then came back to beat its own top rival, Woodrow Wilson, 17-0 last Friday.
Coach Aaron Baker said the Spartans have put that win behind them.
“Any time you play the defending state champs, and with the success Bluefield has had throughout the years, you have to do everything in your power to make sure you’re ready. They’re a talented team.”
While some teams took Labor Day off, East showed up for practice at 7:30 a.m.
“We’ve had a good week and that’s what it takes to get ready for a good club,” Baker said.
The Spartans’ offense sputtered at times against Woodrow, but their defense and special teams were stellar.
Cornerback Michael McCormick returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns and kicker Kolten Renick booted a 31-yard field goal.
Baker knows his team must play strong defense again to have a chance against the Beavers.
“(Running back) Byron Steptoe is a heck of a player, and their quarterback, Levi Beckett, is a guy they rely on heavily.
“They’re the two keys, but they have other kids as well we have to worry about. They’re not the biggest team, but they’re pretty quick.
“Anything can happen, and we’re looking forward to a good game on an odd night.”
———
Also tonight, Shady Spring (1-1) is at Summers County (0-2), Nicholas County (1-1) is at East Fairmont (0-2), Mount View (0-2) is at Tug Valley (2-0), Midland Trail (0-2) is at Meadow Bridge (2-0) and Wyoming East (0-2) is at Sherman (0-2).
— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com
