Chapmanville Regional High School’s Zack Maynard (6) runs with the football
during a kickoff in last week’s loss to Scott. Photos/Paul Adkins
The Tigers, 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Cardinal Conference, have dropped two straight but hope to turn things around on Friday night with a league contest at Poca.
It won’t be easy as the Dots appear to be much improved from last season.
Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Poca High School’s O.O. White Stadium.
Poca comes into the game with a 2-1 overall record. Friday’s contest is the Cardinal Conference opener for the Dots.
Chapmanville lost last week, 32-8, at home to rival Scott. The Tigers opened the season with a 34-19 win over Sissonville, then lost 30-20 at Herbert Hoover in a league game. Poca overwhelmed Class A Buffalo, 56-16, last week on the road. The Dots opened the season with a 20-14 win at Triple-A Nitro, then lost 37-19 at Ravenswood.
The Dots are tied for 11th place in the state in the first WVSSAC Computer ratings with Liberty Raleigh and Westside. Chapmanville is tied for 17th with Herbert Hoover, Oak Glen and Sissonville. The top 16 teams in each class qualify for the playoffs which begin the second week of November.
Chapmanville and Poca have split in two meetings over the last couple of seasons with each time winning at home.
The Tigers will have to find a way to stop Dots’ running back Caleb Arthur, one of the best in the league and the state. Arthur rushed for 184 yards and scored five touchdowns in last week’s blowout over the Bison.
The Dots forced turnovers on Buffalo’s first two possessions last week and put the winless Bison away early, leading 21-0 after one quarter.
Chapmanville coach George Barker said his team will be challenged on Friday night.
“It’s the same old story for us,” Barker said. “We’re playing another good football team with Poca. They’re real solid and they are well coached up front. Their quarterback is a real good athlete and Arthur is probably the best running back that we will see all year. Our defense will have a major test. They have scored a lot of points. We know that Poca is going to be a good challenge for us. We just have to put together a full game on both sides of the ball.”
Chapmanville struggled in last Friday night’s loss to the Skyhawks and fell behind 20-0 at the half.
Senior fullback Todd Terry was held to 34 yards rushing on 15 attempts and two catches for minus-two yards.
Dylan Wiley had 12 rushes for 55 yards and three catches for 39 yards. Quarterback Josh Easterling was 9-of-22 passing for 69 yards.
On defense last week, Scooter Farley led the Tigers with nine solo tackles, two assists and an interception. Terry also had nine tackles, while Jon Casto had eight solos and two assists.
Post a Comment
