LINDSIDE (WVDN) – When Greenbrier West and James Monroe tangle on Friday night, the eyes of West Virginia will be on Lindside. The matchup between the #6 rated Cavaliers and the #11 rated Mavericks will be the only matchup of unbeaten teams in the state. Playoff positioning will be at a premium for both squads as the high school football season hits week seven. The winner will also be undefeated in the Coalfield Conference with four weeks left in the regular season.
These two programs are no strangers to each other. Last season, 14th rated James Monroe slipped by 13th rated Greenbrier West 20-14 in Charmco. The teams missed a scheduled meeting in 2020 due to COVID protocols and James Monroe won a wild contest in Lindside in 2019. The long-dormant series resumed in 2018 when former Maverick head coach David Witt took the reins in Charmco and the Mavericks squeaked out a 13-8 victory. As competitive as the recent series has been, the Cavaliers haven’t beaten a James Monroe team since 2000. The Mavericks lead the all-time series between the schools 9-2.
Greenbrier West has relied on running the football and defense as the recipe for success this season. The Cavaliers have rushed for 284 yards per game with 29 touchdowns on the ground. Ty Nickell has over 1,200 of those yards and is responsible for 21 of those scores. Ethan Holliday and Cole Vandall each have four rushing touchdowns and five other Cavaliers have at least one touchdown run. Greenbrier West is averaging 44.8 points per game.
The West defense has been stellar, setting a program record for season-opening shutouts with five. Through six games, the Cavaliers have allowed a paltry 159 yards passing and 314 on the ground, total! Greenbrier West has created 21 turnovers, specifically 14 fumbles and 7 interceptions. The defensive unit has also scored some points of their own, returning two interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns. West has only allowed 12 points this season, all to Shady Spring. Six of those were on Shady’s opening drive. The other six were window dressing with only 31 seconds left in the game.
James Monroe has averaged 32.8 points per game this season. The Mavericks have gotten 1,052 yards on the ground from four backs. The leading ground gainer is Cooper Ridgeway with 474 yards and 3 touchdowns. Braydie Carr has contributed with over 200 yards and two touchdowns, and Chaz Boggs has carried for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns. Layton Dowdy has been a true dual-threat quarterback, passing for 678 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. Dowdy has completed 62% of his passes while accumulating a respectable 185 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.
Eli Allen returned to the Mavericks in week three against Meadow Bridge and established himself as the top target for Dowdy. Allen has accounted for eighty plus receiving yards each game since his return. On the season, Allen has 12 catches for 255 yards and 6 touchdowns. Ridgeway has tallied 13 receptions for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns. Boggs has over 100 yards and a touchdown to his credit.
The Mavericks have posted three shutouts of their own, blanking Pendleton County, Meadow Bridge, and Pikeview. James Monroe is allowing only 5.6 points per game.
Make no mistake. This is a grudge match. Greenbrier West led 14-7 at halftime last season and James Monroe roared back to outscore West 13-0 in the second half. The Cavaliers repeatedly shot themselves in the foot, giving up a first half kickoff return for a touchdown, throwing two interceptions, and fumbling twice. The Cavaliers also failed to score after advancing the ball inside the Maverick 5-yard line. Credit James Monroe with making the plays they needed to when the situations arose.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Local radio coverage is available on Rock 95 beginning at 7 p.m.
