HINTON, WVa- In the world of collegiate conference realignment, Greenbrier West and Summers County would be one of those package deals, two schools linked together through a prolific past. Two proud football traditions that have met every year since 1968. This isn’t college, though. This is a meeting of undefeated teams in the oldest high school athletic conference in the state of West Virginia. In fact, this will be the 57th meeting between the pair. They met twice during the 1995 season, a regular season win for the Bobcats and a playoff triumph for the Cavaliers.
Greenbrier West leads the all-time series 43-13, but there have been epic matchups over the years. Hinton’s Eddie Pack scored three touchdowns in the inaugural matchup; a 27-0 Bobcat win for the eventual Class AA state champions. The Cavaliers walked it off in overtime in 1974 when Dennis Burns hit Clifford Wicks with a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 6-0 victory. Hinton squeaked by Greenbrier West 19-18 in 1978 despite two Timmy Booth punt return touchdowns. Herbert Mitchell kicked the game-winning 23-yard field goal in a 29-27 West win in 1981. In 1988, Mike McQuain hit Jamie Bragg for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the game’s first play from scrimmage, then held Hinton on a 4th quarter, goal line stand to win 7-6. Hinton broke a 14-game losing streak with a 12-9 comeback win in 1993 when Scott Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown. I could do this for days, but I won’t. Well, one more. Hunter Bevins hit a game-winning field goal with :01 remaining in 2016 to beat Class A #2 Summers County 30-27. You get the picture.
Both teams entered the 2023 season with a ton of excitement surrounding their programs. Neither disappointed in week one. Summers County won the “Battle for the Bluestone” for a third consecutive season, whipping Pikeview 47-22. Ryan Oliveros scored four touchdowns in the contest, two on the ground and two through the air. Oliveros accumulated 254 yards in the process. Brandon Isaac threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Summers County will need similar production this week to keep pace with the Cavaliers.
Greenbrier West was equally as impressive in a 41-7 thrashing of Pendleton County. Cole Vandall passed for 109 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for an additional 54 yards. Jake Pate tallied 78 yards and a touchdown. Moses Gray crossed the goal line twice. Tucker Lilly and Isaac Agee each caught a touchdown pass. Wait, there’s more. Ethan Holliday had 157 yards of total offense, 127 in the return game. The Cavaliers are by no means a one-man show.
Greenbrier West’s first order of business will be to slow down the production of Oliveros. Oliveros’ huge output was supplemented by Isaac’s passing and the rushing talents of Tyson Adkins. Isaacs put up a respectable 55 yards on the ground and Adkins had a 68-yard performance against Pikeview. Adkins is also a capable receiver if called upon, so he’ll have the attention of the West defense.
The Cavaliers successfully contained Pendleton County’s Dillon Smith, holding him to only 31 yards on 11 carries and 1-6 passing for 9 yards and an interception. The Wildcats mustered only 138 total yards of offense. The Cavaliers have held Summers County under 200 yards of total offense the past two seasons in head coach Josh Evans’ wing-t attack. Evans has revamped his offense in ‘23, going to a spread set to utilize Oliveros’ talents.
Greenbrier West will look to continue what they started in week one. The offense spread the ball around with 11 players getting touches. That’s only scratching the surface. The Cavaliers have a stable of running backs and wide receivers. Vandall is a threat to pass or run in any situation, and the West receiving corps is as talented and diverse as it’s been since offensive coordinator Isac Osborne joined the staff in 2019. Five receivers were involved in the passing attack in week one. As a squad, the running backs accounted for over 200 yards and four touchdowns.
The winner of this early-season conference matchup will be in a great position both in the Coalfield Conference and the Class A division. Five of the seven Class A conference members won in week one, placing added importance on this game. Richwood hosts Meadow Bridge in the only other Class A conference tilt this weekend.
Kickoff this week is at 7:30. Tune in to Rock 95 at 7 P.M. for pregame radio coverage.
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