Pocahontas County (1-0) at Greenbrier West (1-1)
Friday, September 10, 7:30 PM
Cavalier Field, Charmco
Radio: 95.3 WRLB (7pm)
Series: Greenbrier West leads 33-9
Last Meeting: (10/8/2021) Greenbrier West 58 Pocahontas County 0
Last week: Greenbrier West got in the win column with a 20-8 victory at Summers County. In the absence of week one star Kadin Parker, Ty Nickell and Chase McClung provided the Cavaliers with some punch. Nickell rushed for 120 yards which included a go-ahead 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Nickell also led the Cavaliers with 10 tackles, 9 assists, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss. The scoring run and 100-yard performance were both career firsts for Nickell, and his tackle and assist numbers were career bests. Chase McClung scored on a 43 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, marking a career first for him. McClung added 5 tackles. Cole Vandall contributed with both a touchdown run and pass. Jayden Robinson, Josh Jones, Reney Cordial, and Joey Terry each had big defensive performances. Robinson and Cordial had a fumble recovery a piece. Marcus Adkins added an interception for the Cavalier defense.
Pocahontas County was off in week two due to COVID-19 protocols, however, the Warriors got a big home win over Tucker County in week one. Trailing the Mountain Lions 14-0 in the second quarter, the Warriors ripped off 34 unanswered points for the victory. Junior Braedan Hayhurst threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another. Tucker McGee caught one of those touchdown passes to start the Pocahontas rally. Senior Danielle Burdette had a 51-yard punt return touchdown an at 6 ft. 170lbs., Burdette was the primary receiving target and pulled down a 12-yard touchdown reception. Sophomore Clayton Burns showed off a strong leg and nailed three field goals (26, 27 and 39 yards).
The matchup: Historically, this has been one of the more physical matchups on each team’s schedule. Both teams have committed to throwing the football more in recent years, but expect these two teams to try to run the football and play tough defense. In last season’s 58-0 win, Greenbrier West ran for 431 yards and 7 touchdowns. They limited Pocahontas County to 2 yards rushing and 24 yards of total offense. Nickell is coming off his first career 100-yard rushing game and will look to build on that performance. Nickell also had a career-best night defensively against Summers County. His output on both sides of the ball will be a key for the Cavaliers. Vandall has thrown a touchdown pass in each of the first two games, and his ability to run the football gives the Cavaliers an extra dimension in the backfield. Chase McClung caught his first career touchdown pass in the week two win. The offensive line was shuffled in week two, but Chase Franklin continues to anchor that unit along with Cordial and Elijah Perkins. Robinson will contribute on both sides of the ball, and Jones and Terry will be a big part of the defensive unit.
This is Warrior head coach Doug Burns’ ninth season as the head coach. Burns has an overall record of 41-41. Only once in his tenure has his team started a season 2-0. In 2017, the Warriors got off to a 3-0 start enroute to a 7-4 season and the second of his two playoff appearances. Danielle Burdette is a weapon that the Warriors will make an effort to get the ball to. Special teams were a bright spot for Pocahontas County with Burdette’s punt return touchdown and Clayton Burns’ field goals. McGee handles the punting duties. Defensively, Ryan Halterman had an interception in the win over the Mountain Lions.
Miscellaneous Notes: Greenbrier West is 41-12 all-time in home openers, 37-10 at Cavalier Field. Before Cavalier Field opened in 1974, West was 4-1 at Rainelle’s Memorial Recreation Field and 0-1 at Rupert. Cavalier head coach Toby Harris is 12-2 in home openers at Greenbrier West. In remembrance of the thirteen fallen American troops in Afghanistan on August 26 and the 2,996 World Trade Center victims on 9/11, fans are asked to arrive early to take part in a tribute to those that lost their lives. Fans are also encouraged to wear red, white, and blue along with or in place of their blue and gold. Little Miss and Mister Cavalier will be crowned at halftime. James Monroe was originally scheduled as this Friday’s opponent, but the Covid-19 situation in Monroe County necessitated the change. James Monroe and Pocahontas County agreed to trade dates, so the Mavericks will travel to Charmco on October 8. The Greenbrier West JV team defeated Summers County 50-0 on Tuesday night.
Information compiled by Michael Goddard
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