STUARTS DRAFT, Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East Spartans will leave the state this Friday night, Sept. 16, when they head to Stuarts Draft, Va., to take on a Cougar team that is riding high after an impressive 2-0 start to the season.
Stuarts Draft is averaging 38 points per game and allowing just seven to their opponents.
They are a balanced football team, but they do prefer to run the ball more than they throw it.
Head coach Nathan Floyd, in his ninth year, believes in an aggressive, yet fundamental approach to the defensive side of the ball. It has worked so far as the Cougars excel at forcing turnovers and getting into the offensive backfield.
Stuarts Draft (2-0) Players to Watch:
RB- Da’shea Smith- 324 yards rushing, 5.2 yards per carry, five touchdowns
RB/LB- Troy Thompson- 88 yards rushing three TDs vs. Waynesboro, top defensive player
QB- Landon Graber- dual threat
The offense for the Cougars starts and stops with Smith and Thompson. They are workhouses that tote the rock a lot. In two games, Smith has carried the ball 62 times. Thompson is more of a utility player that can move around the field, and on defense he is a playmaker. He has a fumble return for a score and an interception on the season.
One factor that may play a role in this game is the youth of Stuarts Draft. They have only 10 seniors on their entire roster, with Thompson being one of those. The Spartans are not necessarily a big veteran group but do boast some senior leadership amongst some of their top options.
The Cougars will try to set the tone early with Smith and may try some play action and roll Graber out on several occasions to keep the Spartan defense honest.
East (1-2) is coming in off their own high after dismantling a very good Robert C. Byrd team 42-14 on the road last week. After that performance, the Spartans show averages of 23.3 ppg and are allowing 31.
Ian Cline and the Spartan offense finally got on track as the junior had 343 total yards (249 rushing) and four scores. But as good as the offense was, the defense was arguably better than that.
RCB quarterback Nick George was pressured all night by the East “D” and struggled mightily in the passing and running game, something he is not used to
East flew to the ball, made stops in the backfield and tackled well all night long. The same effort will be needed for another road win this weekend.
Keys to the Game:
This is a good, hard-nosed matchup on paper. If the Spartans of week three show up, East will even their record and start brand new on this 2022 campaign. If the Spartans of weeks one and two hit the field, Stuarts Draft has enough playmakers to capitalize on that effort. However, the Spartans are confident right now and have their swagger back. I have been pretty far off on score predictions this season, and while this game could be close, the Spartans are going to be ready.
Prediction:
Greenbrier East- 37
Stuarts Draft- 24
