CHARMCO (WVDN) – Week five of the West Virginia high school football season will have a “Backyard Brawl” feel to it when the Cavaliers and Wildcats take the field in Charmco. The two schools are 16 miles apart via highway, 10 miles as the crow flies.
Greenbrier West is in the midst of a historic run defensively. They’ve tied the school record for shutout wins to open a season with four, previously set by the 1981 team and tied by the ‘83 squad. The defense has only allowed 303 yards of total offense in four games while creating 14 turnovers. Ethan Holliday is the team’s leading tackler with 40 stops and has wreaked havoc on the opposition with two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery, and four tackles for loss. Ty Nickell has 21 tackles including a team-leading six tackles for loss and a sack. Dalton Heath has racked up 20 tackles and a fumble recovery from his linebacker position. The list of defensive contributors goes on. Reney Cordial, Marcus Adkins, Daron Vaughan, Evan Vandall, Jacob Whitt, Cameron White, Trent Parker, Ethan Hamons, Cole Vandall, Brandon Poticher, and Jacob Nutter all have double-digit tackles. Isaac Agee has done a fabulous job at strong safety and Kaden Parker returned from injury to score on an 86-yard pick six at Pocahontas County.
The offense has done its part as well. Averaging 43.5 points per game, the Cavaliers are scoring at the fourth highest pace in program history. Nickell has rushed for 853 yards and 13 touchdowns, setting a Cavalier record for rushing touchdowns in a half with five against Webster County. Cole Vandall and Holliday have both rushed for three touchdowns a piece and both have over 100 yards on the season, and four other Cavalier backs have rushing touchdowns. Tucker Lilly has thrown two touchdown passes and Cole Vandall has passed for 239 yards. Heath and Holliday each have a receiving touchdown to their credit.
Meadow Bridge comes into tonight’s game with a 1-3 record. The Wildcats fell to the surprising Van Bulldogs in week one, rebounded in week two to crush Richwood, dropped a convincing decision to county rival Midland Trail in week three, and got shut out by James Monroe in week four. The Wildcats haven’t been shut out in back-to-back weeks since head coach Dwayne Reichard’s first season at the helm, 2016.
Meadow Bridge is averaging 14 points per game while giving up, on average, 29 points per contest. Kaiden Sims leads the Wildcat rushing attack with 174 yards on 58 carries. Conner Mullins has carried the ball 21 times for 157 yards while leading the Wildcats with 4 receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Seaton Mullins has 13 completions in 32 attempts, one touchdown, and two interceptions to his credit. Seaton also has 53 carries for 133 yards. Trip Roles has pulled down three receptions for 41 yards.
Greenbrier West has celebrated homecoming all week leading up to tonight’s game. Ceremonies will take place before the game including the coronation of the queen. Past homecoming queens will be in attendance and part of the ceremonies. Fans should arrive early and expect festivities to begin at 7 P.M. Radio coverage begins a 7 P.M. on Rock 95.
