CHARMCO – Two teams eager to erase week one woes and notch their first win of the season collide this Friday night at Garten Stadium. Greenbrier West and Summers County each suffered through opening week losses they’d like to put in the rear-view mirror. Summers County dropped the Battle of the Bluestone to Pikeview 50-8 on Friday night. Greenbrier West sped out of the gates at Roane County but ran out of gas early, dropping a 67-16 decision to the Raiders.
The great news is week two is upon us and football teams generally see their biggest, or most noticeable, improvement following week one. The Cavaliers will look to shore up a leaky run defense, one that allowed 344 yards in Spencer Saturday night. West gave up an even 100 yards to Brodey Proctor on only three carries while Koltyn Starcher added 99 yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries. That can’t happen if Greenbrier West wants to be successful.
Summers County also allowed a 100-yard, 3-touchdown rusher in Peyton Mounts. Braydon Mullins added 93 yards on the ground for Pikeview, so the Bobcats face the same dilemma defensively. Newly minted Cavalier quarterback Colton Dunbar was an effective runner against a stingy Raider defense with 82 yards on 10 carriers. Look for Dunbar to get his opportunities this week, especially with starting tailback Ben Butler likely out while recovering from injury. Butler was starting to have what looked like a big night, taking his first carry of the season 29 yards for a touchdown and his second carry 16 yards before taking a shot that sidelined the sophomore ball carrier.
The ironies involved in this matchup keep on keeping on. Summers County’s sophomore running back, Cody Snavely, was also injured in the Bobcats loss and needed to be flown to CAMC in Charleston for treatment. Snavely lost use of his lower extremities but began to regain some mobility overnight. Snavely was walking by Saturday and was released although he still must meet with a neurosurgeon in a few weeks.
The Cavaliers will lean heavily on their offensive and defensive lines to control the line of scrimmage. Senior Logan Berry will be the leader of both units for Greenbrier West. At 6’3’ and 245lbs., Berry’s size coupled with his footwork should give the four-year starter an edge. Parker Vance (6’2”, 285lbs.) and Colton Caruthers (5’10”, 230lbs.) also possess size and speed in the trenches. Other contributors will be Scott McClung (6’2”, 185lbs.) and John John Akers (5’11”, 185lbs.). Cooper Judy (5’9”, 225lbs.) saw significant time the past two weeks.
Another key to West’s success will be limiting senior Bobcat quarterback Elijah Franklin. Franklin was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal opener, completing 9 of 15 passes for 110 yards including a 49-yard scoring toss to junior Noah Vanaman. Franklin did throw one interception but displayed a poise and quick release that belied his experience at the position.
Friday’s matchup will be the 59th meeting all-time between the schools. Summers County (Hinton from 1968-1993) is the only school that has been a part of Greenbrier West’s football schedule every season since its inception in 1968. The two schools met twice during the 1995 season, once during the regular season and once in the Class AA playoffs.
West has won the last six meetings in the series. The Cavaliers are 45-13 overall versus the Bobcats, 25-4 at home, 19-9 on the road, and 1-0 in a neutral setting. Garten Stadium, formerly Summers County Athletic Facility, has always been considered one of the tougher venues for Greenbrier West to compete, as the Cavaliers own a 15-8 record in the stadium.
