BECKLEY —
Limiting our weekly game balls to five this week was almost impossible. How do you leave out Justin Mariotti, who hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to lead Bluefield to a 51-50 win over Oak Hill in an instant classic? Should Valley’s Cody Winter come out empty-handed after leading his team to a win over Richwood with 141 yards and a touchdown on the ground?
But holding the game balls to the best of the best is what makes them special, so the winners this week can hold their heads high, knowing they beat out some tough competition to earn the honors.
Jake Grimmett (Midland Trail) — A regular on our list, Grimmett rushed the ball only seven times Friday night, but he scored on three of them. He ended the night with 113 rushing yards, and he also threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Devon Steele.
Andrew Johnson (Wodrow Wilson) — The Flying Eagles’ starting quarterback may have helped lock up a playoff position for his team with his performance on the road at River View. The senior rushed for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries, while completing 9 of 12 passes for 108 yards and another score.
Jake Parker (Meadow Bridge) — Parker rarely misses the list, and there was certainly no reason to leave him off this week. In a 34-12 win over Mount View — a surging group of Golden Knights that came into the game having won three straight — Parker rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries.
Tyler Sagraves (Nicholas County) — Sagraves has earned game balls in the past for his abilities as a quarterback, but this week he excelled on both sides of the football. On offense, he threw for 118 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 101 yards and another score and returned an interception 65 yards for his third touchdown of the evening.
Aaron Tolliver (Independence) — The Patriot tailback did everything in his power to help his team get back to .500 with a 43-20 blowout of PikeVIew. He rushed for 167 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 10 carries, and he also caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brian Sexton.
Today's Sports Front
Football phenoms of Week 9
- Today's Sports Front
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First the title, then the prom
The prom could wait.
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Beckley Newspapers Memorial Golf Classic to honor Holland
Andy Holland won’t be on the golf course when the 33rd Beckley Newspapers Memorial Golf Classic begins this July, but that doesn’t mean his presence won’t be felt.
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King’s Warriors take down Chaos 3-1
Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors head coach Scott Reitnour had a busy day Saturday.
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Coleman's bunt lifts Valley
Limited offensively this season because of a hand injury, Todd Coleman took advantage of an opportunity Saturday afternoon.
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Houstin? No problem
Houstin Syvertson is a man of many names.
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Justice hopeful of Mickelson’s return
While speaking at a banquet at TPC Sawgrass in Florida for a Birdies for the Brave event he hosted with his wife, Kathy, and Phil and Amy Mickelson this winter, Greenbrier owner Jim Justice joked with golf’s most famous left-hander about his struggles the last two years at The Greenbrier Classic.
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Wallace a willing BMP visitor
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Princeton win marred by controversy
Locked in a 1-1 tie with Greenbrier East in the Class Region 3, Section 2 baseball final Friday night at Spartan Ballpark, Princeton was looking for a spark to overcome the Spartans’ home field advantage.
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After early scare, Woodrow advances
Give first year Red Devils coach Chad Quesenberry a lot of credit. After opening up the sectional series with a loss to Shady Spring over a week ago, his Oak Hill squad would have to win three straight in order to advance to next week’s regional semifinals.
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Wickline fires one-hitter; Mavericks move on to states
Putting their nervousness behind them, the James Monroe Lady Mavericks earned their first state playoff berth in softball in 16 years with a 6-2 victory over Westside Thursday evening in the Class AA, Region 3 title game in Lindside.
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