VHSL 2A STATE FOOTBALL: Union will look for ball control against Appomattox
Union's Tanner Kennedy, making a tackle on J.I. Burton's Najee Steele earlier this season, has plenty of motivation today against Appomattox.
David Crigger
BIG STONE GAP, Va. - For Union Bears football coach Travis Turner, the key to defeating the Appomattox County Raiders in today’s VHSL 2A state semifinal football game can be summarized in two words.
“Ball control,” Turner said. “Appomattox has a special team and we have to limit the touches of their best players.”
The best player for Appomattox is De’Von Graves, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver who has attracted attention from college football superpowers such as North Carolina State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Graves, who averages 30 yards per reception, scored on a 76-yard touchdown connection and intercepted two passes in last year’s 43-0 Appomattox victory over Union in the state quarterfinals. The Bears entered that game with an 11-1 record.
“He caught a couple passes against us that really hurt, including that dig route across the middle that he took 76 yards to the house,” Turner said.
Coalfield football has long featured a grind-it-out style built around massive linemen and gritty running backs. Union excels in that style, but last week the Bears showed versatility by blanking (37-0) a Graham team which relied on speedy Division I recruit Taymon Cooke at receiver.
“We focused a little more on hitting and tackling the week of the Graham game because we knew that we had to be the more physical team,” Turner said. “Cooke can score any time he touches the ball, so we put a double team on him and did a good job of rallying to the quarterback.
“We didn’t expect a shutout, but we were able to limit Graham’s big plays and not allow many yards after the catch.”
Appomattox averages 46 points per game while giving up 18 ppg. The lone loss for the Raiders came in week three when current 3A state semifinalist Heritage-Lynchburg took a 30-14 decision.
The Raiders blasted traditional power Giles 45-14 on Nov. 17.
Turner didn’t need a Hudl highlight tape to know the potential of Appomattox, which has scored at least 49 points in seven games behind split-back veer and option formations.
“That’s a pretty good team,” Turner said. “[Appomattox] embarrassed us last year, so we’ve had to go to work and study film in practice this week. Graves is a Division I prospect and they have a great quarterback in [Javon] Scruggs.”
The 5-11 Scruggs completed nine of 12 passes for 187 yards and no interceptions last season against Union. This season, Scruggs has passed for 1,695 yards and 27 scores against just three interceptions. He has also run for 1,080 yards and 13 scores.
Omar Bailey, 5-9, 150-pound senior, has contributed 1,315 yards rushing with 23 scores.
Union inside linebacker Tanner Kennedy said the only motivation he needs for today’s 3 p.m. clash is the mental flashback from the end of last year’s loss to the Raiders.
“I remember that feeling vividly,” Kennedy said. “It was awful walking off the field and knowing the season was over. Our seniors are not ready to experience that feeling again.”
A self-admitted film-rat, Kennedy has spent hours this week dissecting the Appomattox offense for tendencies and weak spots.
“We will have to play our best game because we know what kind of athletes Appomattox has and we know they are going to bring it,” Kennedy said. “There’s no place I’d rather play than Bullitt Park. Appomattox is the two-time defending state champion and we wanted this rematch, especially here at home.”
Kennedy has the rare ability to out-think and out-hit opponents. The honor student said he has received a recruiting letter from the football staff at Harvard.
“We have a balanced defense with each player supporting his teammates,” Kennedy said. “Our other inside linebacker [Bryce Lane] is a headhunter who always gets after the ball. I like playing in the middle because Bryce and I can play off each other and just get after people.
“Jeb Stidham and Nick Cooper give us a push in the middle of the defense while Mason Polier has been a stud along with Luigi Colot at end.”
With his long arms, quickness and speed, six-foot-four James Mitchell is effective as a pass rusher and pass defender. Senior defensive back Zack Qualls contributed a pair of interceptions against Graham.
Appomattox gained a total of 385 yards last year against Union while the Bears were held to 191. Union used the traditional T formation with three running backs for much of the game.
Mitchell remembers that long afternoon in central Virginia which began with a fumble inside the Appomattox 20-yard line on Union’s opening drive and included three interceptions.
“We got embarrassed up there and we definitely remember it,” Mitchell said. “Until [Appomattox] loses, they are the best team.”
Mitchell, who plans to announce his college decision around Dec. 15, said he relishes the chance to play against blue-chip recruits such as Cooke and Graves.
“It’s great to have another Division I athlete out there to compete against,” Mitchell said. “This way, you can really see what you are made of.”
Appomattox County has posted a 42-1 record over the past three years, with its last playoff loss coming against Lee High by a 20-14 margin in the opening round of the 2014 2A playoffs.
Union has a 37-3 record the past three years, racking up 29 straight wins at home.
“There’s nothing like playing at Bullitt Park,” Turner said. “That will be a big plus for us Saturday.”
The state title drought for far Southwest Virginia football teams dates back to 2012 with 1A champion George Wythe. Gate City won the last 2A crown in 2010.
- Allen Gregory | Bristol Herald Courier
- Dec 1, 2017 Updated 13 hrs ago
Union's Tanner Kennedy, making a tackle on J.I. Burton's Najee Steele earlier this season, has plenty of motivation today against Appomattox.
David Crigger
BIG STONE GAP, Va. - For Union Bears football coach Travis Turner, the key to defeating the Appomattox County Raiders in today’s VHSL 2A state semifinal football game can be summarized in two words.
“Ball control,” Turner said. “Appomattox has a special team and we have to limit the touches of their best players.”
The best player for Appomattox is De’Von Graves, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver who has attracted attention from college football superpowers such as North Carolina State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Graves, who averages 30 yards per reception, scored on a 76-yard touchdown connection and intercepted two passes in last year’s 43-0 Appomattox victory over Union in the state quarterfinals. The Bears entered that game with an 11-1 record.
“He caught a couple passes against us that really hurt, including that dig route across the middle that he took 76 yards to the house,” Turner said.
Coalfield football has long featured a grind-it-out style built around massive linemen and gritty running backs. Union excels in that style, but last week the Bears showed versatility by blanking (37-0) a Graham team which relied on speedy Division I recruit Taymon Cooke at receiver.
“We focused a little more on hitting and tackling the week of the Graham game because we knew that we had to be the more physical team,” Turner said. “Cooke can score any time he touches the ball, so we put a double team on him and did a good job of rallying to the quarterback.
“We didn’t expect a shutout, but we were able to limit Graham’s big plays and not allow many yards after the catch.”
Appomattox averages 46 points per game while giving up 18 ppg. The lone loss for the Raiders came in week three when current 3A state semifinalist Heritage-Lynchburg took a 30-14 decision.
The Raiders blasted traditional power Giles 45-14 on Nov. 17.
Turner didn’t need a Hudl highlight tape to know the potential of Appomattox, which has scored at least 49 points in seven games behind split-back veer and option formations.
“That’s a pretty good team,” Turner said. “[Appomattox] embarrassed us last year, so we’ve had to go to work and study film in practice this week. Graves is a Division I prospect and they have a great quarterback in [Javon] Scruggs.”
The 5-11 Scruggs completed nine of 12 passes for 187 yards and no interceptions last season against Union. This season, Scruggs has passed for 1,695 yards and 27 scores against just three interceptions. He has also run for 1,080 yards and 13 scores.
Omar Bailey, 5-9, 150-pound senior, has contributed 1,315 yards rushing with 23 scores.
Union inside linebacker Tanner Kennedy said the only motivation he needs for today’s 3 p.m. clash is the mental flashback from the end of last year’s loss to the Raiders.
“I remember that feeling vividly,” Kennedy said. “It was awful walking off the field and knowing the season was over. Our seniors are not ready to experience that feeling again.”
A self-admitted film-rat, Kennedy has spent hours this week dissecting the Appomattox offense for tendencies and weak spots.
“We will have to play our best game because we know what kind of athletes Appomattox has and we know they are going to bring it,” Kennedy said. “There’s no place I’d rather play than Bullitt Park. Appomattox is the two-time defending state champion and we wanted this rematch, especially here at home.”
Kennedy has the rare ability to out-think and out-hit opponents. The honor student said he has received a recruiting letter from the football staff at Harvard.
“We have a balanced defense with each player supporting his teammates,” Kennedy said. “Our other inside linebacker [Bryce Lane] is a headhunter who always gets after the ball. I like playing in the middle because Bryce and I can play off each other and just get after people.
“Jeb Stidham and Nick Cooper give us a push in the middle of the defense while Mason Polier has been a stud along with Luigi Colot at end.”
With his long arms, quickness and speed, six-foot-four James Mitchell is effective as a pass rusher and pass defender. Senior defensive back Zack Qualls contributed a pair of interceptions against Graham.
Appomattox gained a total of 385 yards last year against Union while the Bears were held to 191. Union used the traditional T formation with three running backs for much of the game.
Mitchell remembers that long afternoon in central Virginia which began with a fumble inside the Appomattox 20-yard line on Union’s opening drive and included three interceptions.
“We got embarrassed up there and we definitely remember it,” Mitchell said. “Until [Appomattox] loses, they are the best team.”
Mitchell, who plans to announce his college decision around Dec. 15, said he relishes the chance to play against blue-chip recruits such as Cooke and Graves.
“It’s great to have another Division I athlete out there to compete against,” Mitchell said. “This way, you can really see what you are made of.”
Appomattox County has posted a 42-1 record over the past three years, with its last playoff loss coming against Lee High by a 20-14 margin in the opening round of the 2014 2A playoffs.
Union has a 37-3 record the past three years, racking up 29 straight wins at home.
“There’s nothing like playing at Bullitt Park,” Turner said. “That will be a big plus for us Saturday.”
The state title drought for far Southwest Virginia football teams dates back to 2012 with 1A champion George Wythe. Gate City won the last 2A crown in 2010.
