WHO: #3 AA Bluefield (6-2) at #5 AAA Greenbrier East (5-2)
WHERE: Spartan Stadium in Fairlea
WHEN: Friday, October 24 at 7:30 PM
LAST WEEK: Bluefield (defeated Pikeview 39-0) GE (beat Nicholas Co. 41-14)
LAST MEETING: Bluefield beat Greenbrier East 42-40 in 2024
The Greenbrier East Spartans, with a hope of a home playoff game looming in the back of their mind, welcome in the Bluefield Beavers this Friday night to Spartan Stadium. The Beavers have marched their way to a 6-2 record and are in the midst of a 3-game win streak including a massive shutout of previously undefeated Pikeview last week, 39-0 which saw a couple of school records broken along the way.
Last season’s battle between the two teams was one for the ages, although Spartan fans probably have tried to erase it from their memory. With the Spartans on the road at Mitchell Stadium and leading by 19 points, 40-21, with just 10 minutes remaining, Bluefield scored 21 unanswered points over that span and handed the Spartans a deflating loss, 42-40, in a game that sent East into a season swoon.
But 2025 is a new day–and year– and the boys from Greenbrier County are playing the best football they have played in a handful of years.
Players to Watch for Greenbrier East:
Brody Hamric: 90-of-157, 1,140 yds, 12 TD, 3 INT– 154 rush yds, 3 TD
AJ Godfrey: 177 rushes, 828 yds, 15 TD
Grant Burdette: 27 receptions, 380 yds, 4 TDs
Kaden Stone: 15 catches, 245 yds 5 total TD
Nate Suttle: 30 receptions, 333 yds, 6 total TD– 5 INT on Def.
Jackson Morgan
Brayden Brown: 4 fumble recoveries
Zayir Lee
Harrison Smith
Brody Hamric settled in a few weeks ago at his quarterback position and has performed admirably in his senior season. He has thrown just three interceptions this season but hasn’t thrown any in his last four games which includes around 110 pass attempts. So, with Hamric taking care of the football and finding Stone, Suttle, and Burdette consistently, running lanes get bigger for AJ Godfrey. Last week, Godfrey tied former East running backs Ian Cline (2021) and Jason Hoke (2001) for the school record of rushing TDs in a single game (5), and as much as Hamric’s passing opens the running game for him, Godfrey helps that passing attack as well. Brown is a fumble recovery extraordinaire, and Smith has disrupted the backfield well all season. Morgan has been a great addition to both lines this year for East and is a big reason the line play has improved 110 percent from year’s past. Throw in Zayir Lee, Keshawn Bland, Braylon Godfrey, and Logan Vanfosson each having good seasons, and the Spartan defense is a strenght this year, not a weakness.
Players to Watch for Bluefield:
Max Simpson: 134-of-221, 2000 yds, 20 TD, 6 INT
Jamarion Owens: 99-yd TD catch vs Pikeview- longest play in Beaver history
Pax Calhoun: 39 receptions, 737 yds, 8 TD
Jordan Hess: 27 catches, 385 yds, 3 TD
Jeremiah Jones: 279 yds, 6 TD during 3-game win streak
Simpson is the guy who makes the Beavers go, especially over his last three weeks. The sophomore, who holds a college offer from Division-1 East Tennessee State, has put up big numbers this season. Last week, he threw for 397 yards and 3 TDs, and the passing yards broke a single game record for Bluefield. One of those TD passes was to Owens from 99 yards out off a short pass to the side. His favorite target, however, is Pax Calhoun who is one of the leading statistical pass catchers in the area. Calhoun is a big play threat and can catch the deep ball or take a short throw and make things happen with his feet. Hess is a perfect complement to Calhoun and Jeremiah Jones is similar to East’s Godfrey, meaning he runs hard and is a big, strong back. Willis Wilson, the Beavers’ other star at running back who is a speed-first player, was injured three weeks ago and is out for the season.
Tale of the Tape Outlook:
The Spartans gameplan in this game could almost be picked from a hat. Do they stop Simpson and let Jones get his tough yards and allow Bluefield to run, or do they try to stuff Jones and hope Simpson forces some throws into traffic? Do they double Calhoun and let Hess get 1-on-1 matchups or do they let Calhoun get his numbers while taking away Hess’ side of the field? Those are the questions that Spartan head coach Ray Lee and his assistants will figure out by Friday night. As daunting as the Beavers seem on paper, they are not the juggernaut they used to be but are still very good and likely a state tournament team rather easily. After talking to a few Spartan players, each of them mentioned last year’s game that they know they should have won, so look for Greenbrier East to be ready in what should be one of the better games around the region this weekend.
Something to Watch:
The Beavers average 27 points per game and allow 21.9 to their opponents. Not insane numbers by any means, but during their 3-game streak, those numbers shoot up to 38.3 (scoring) and 9.3 (allowed).
The Spartans are scoring 33.7 per game and allowing just 19.9.
Finally, there have been three common opponent matchups. They are:
Bluefield lost to Princeton 51-6. The Spartans lost to Princeton 35-14.
Bluefield defeated Beckley 34-28. East beat Beckley 28-14.
The Beavers defeated Nicholas County 36-7. The Spartans just beat Nicholas 41-14.
What do those scores mean? Once Friday night kicks off, probably not much.
