10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Kanawha Valley Report: Week 2

AA No. 1 Wayne (1-0) at AA No. 5 Sissonville (1-0)

Sissonville was impressive in its season opening game over Chapmanville, winning 42-14. Austin Burford rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, including an 85 yard touchdown run for Sissonville in the win. Jared Wilkinson added 119 yards on the ground on 20 carries as well for the Indians.

The Indians showed the ability to score quickly and had an aggressive defense. They also capitalized on Chapmanville’s mistakes and put the game away. They’ll need the same kind of intensity Friday night at Joe Sawyers Field and more.

Defending state runner-up Wayne will be on hand Friday night. The vaunted Pioneers don’t scare easily and never back down from a fight. A year ago, they were the only blemishes on Sissonville’s other wise stellar record of 10-2. Wayne beat them in the regular season and eliminated Sissonville from the playoffs, both at Pioneer Field. Coach Eddie Smolder said he doubts there will be much need for motivational speeches with Wayne coming into their house.

“If they can’t get up for this one, they shouldn’t be out here,” Smolder said.

 

AAA No. 2 Capital (0-0) at Riverside (0-1)

The Capital Cougars spent their annual bye in week one and will open up play Friday night in the 2014 campaign on the road at Riverside. Preseason indications are for another strong year for Cougars after they fell to eventual state champion Martinsburg in the playoffs last year. Returning will be Kashaun Haley and Tyree Pratt, who offer a tandem of explosive potential for coach Jon Carpenter’s offense. Carpenter admits the improvements in those two players are key to success, but also expects his defense to be a crack squad as well.

Carpenter expected Silas Nazario to be another big contributor to this year’s campaign and advised keeping an eye on Turan Rush and Dorian Etheridge on defense.

Riverside comes into the campaign with a record of 0-1 after falling in week one to Cabell Midland 63-13.

 

AAA No. 3 South Charleston (1-0) at St. Albans (0-1)

South Charleston assured everyone last week they were in a position to contend with a whipping of George Washington, 56-14. Junior quarterback Kentre Grier and senior running back A.D. Cunningham combined for seven touchdowns in the win.

No. 3 South Charleston (1-0) defeated No. 10 George Washington (0-1) on Thursday night 56-14 to open up the high school football season.

Grier rushed for over 220 yards and threw for another 180, scoring three times on the ground and two more times through the air (both to receiver B.J. Moore). Cunningham finished with two scores and over 170 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

The Black Eagles travel this week to St. Albans who fell in its opening week to Spring Valley 42-16. Coach Donnie Mays saw a lot of positive from opening week, but 21 penalties weren’t a part of it. He advised those guilty of last week’s infractions have paid for it this week in practice and they look to keep flags to a minimum against the Red Dragons.

 

Paul Blazer (KY) (1-1) at George Washington (0-1)

George Washington will try to rebound after the drubbing it suffered at South Charleston. Coach Steve Edwards Jr. said he wasn’t sure what to expect with so many young players on the field a week ago. He believed playing South Charleston out of the gate was baptism by fire. Many of of the Patriot players saw their first action under the Friday night lights in the game and eventually it got out of hand.

Edwards looked for his team to settle down significantly as they open up their home schedule against Paul Blazer High School from Ashland, Kentucky. GW and Blazer have played for four years. Edwards said it’s been a good relationship between both schools and they’ve entered a contract for two more seasons.

 

Hurricane (0-1) at Nitro (1-0)

Hurricane will take on Nitro a week after the Redskins were embarrassed on the road at Huntington.  Coach Jeremy Taylor made no excuses and called his team out publicly after the game. Taylor said his team needs to find physical toughness and bring it Friday night. Nitro is off to a 1-0 start after defeating the Poca Dots on week one, 28-12.

 

Herbert Hoover (0-1) at Chapmanville (0-1)

Hoover head coach Tim Meyer said his team literally ran out of gas at halftime against Scott. The Huskies fell 28-27, but Meyer said in the second half his team was gassed and couldn’t move after leading 27-14 at the break. He’s hoping for better things on the road this week.

Hoover was led on the ground in the loss by fullback Colton Thomas who finished with 78 yards on 12 carries. Shaun Dotson added 68 yards on 12 carries as well. Quarterback Tyler Americo finished 5-of-12 for 109 yards in the loss — he also scored on a couple of touchdown runs.

 

Other games:

Winfield at Cabell Midland
Poca at Nicholas County
River View at Buffalo





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