Week two of the postseason is in the books. Instead of beginning with an elaborate spiel about what went down across our area last Friday night, let's go straight to the game of the century…
One For the Ages:
On September 26, 1926, the Kingsport High School (Tennessee) football team hung 193 points on Norton.
Though only one team did all of the damage, the 193-point outing marks the most number of points scored in a high school football game in the state of Virginia.
The record still stands today, but on Friday night, 89 years later, Western Albemarle Warriors and the Staunton River Golden Eagles etched their own place in history.
The two teams combined for 164 points and 1,357 yards of total offense in a thrilling 85-79 Staunton River triumph.
One hundred and sixty-four points scored is the second highest total in state history, and the most ever complied by two teams from the Commonwealth.
Prior to Friday’s shootout, Hampton High School, which quarterbacked by former North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry, held the record for most points scored in a playoff game, with 76.
Both Western Albemarle and Staunton River had surpassed the Crabbers’ mark with over two minutes remaining in the contest.
The 1,357 yards of total offense covers over 13 football fields, and is just north of three-quarters-of-a-mile.
The Warriors and Golden Eagles combined to punt the ball three times, with two of which taking place in the first quarter.
Neither the Western Albemarle nor the Staunton River basketball teams scored more points in a single game last season than the Warriors and Golden Eagles amassed in Friday night’s thriller.
Oddly enough, in a game full of offense, two defensive plays changed the course of the entire game. With Staunton River looking to put the game away late, Western's Darren Klein picked off a pass to set the Warriors up with a chance to win the game.
The celebration was short-lived, as Staunton River's Noah Dellis picked off Sam Hearn in the end zone a little more than a minute later to seal the victory for the Golden Eagles.
It was an unbelievable win and a signature moment for a Staunton River program that won just two games last fall.
Elsewhere in 3A West, fourth-ranked Magna Vista put an end to Brookville's once promising season with a 36-13 triumph over the Bees. The Warriors will welcome high-flying Staunton River to Martinsville this weekend.
Upset City:
Western Albemarle was not the only team to be bitten by the upset bug on Friday night. Northside head coach Burt Torrence will need to wait another year to chase his third state championship, as seventh-seeded Abingdon made the long trip east and upset the Vikings 28-21.
The knock on the Falcons all season was that they did all of their damage against 2A opponents, and would not be able to make it against the rugged 3A West grind. After escaping Rustburg in week one, and putting up 28 points on Northside's defense, it is clear that Abingdon belongs among the top teams in the region.
Elliot Strugill was fantastic, leading the Falcons through the air with 289 yards passing. Though the passing game is Abingdon's bread and butter, the Falcons managed to burn Northside with a long run for the go-ahead score. Fullback Matthew Fulton fooled everybody, and rumbled 47 yards late in the fourth quarter to give Abingdon the final 28-21 margin.
Top Dog:
With Western Albemarle and Northside done, third-ranked Lord Botetourt is the highest-ranked team remaining in 3A West. The Cavalier defense looked as good as ever in Friday's 17-7 victory over Monticello. The Botetourt front-seven made a living in the MHS backfield, while holding the Mustangs to 141 yards of total offense. Like many of the Cavaliers' wins this season, the final stats are misleading, as much of Monticello's final yardage came during garbage time.
Botetourt Head coach Jamie Harless, who is now 34-12 in his four years in Daleville, will take on his alma mater Abingdon in next week's regional title game.
Favorites March On:
Switching to the 4A West Region, where top-ranked Jefferson Forest and number-three Salem each earned impressive victories after enjoying a first-round bye.
JF dueled with under seeded Millbrook in a battle of two of the top rushing offenses in all of 4A, but in the end, the Cavaliers emerged with a 35-28 win. Jefferson Forest will tangle with 11-1 Woodgrove this weekend.
Salem and Amherst met for the second time this season, and once again, the Spartans emerged victorious. Behind a host of big plays, Salem cruised by 11th-ranked Amherst 35-7, ending a breakout season for Cecil Phillips and the Lancers.
The Spartans will have fellow unbeaten Jon Champe on Saturday, in what should be one heck of a regional semifinal.
Three in a Row:
After going winless against Giles County for about two decades, all of the sudden, Glenvar owns three victories over the Spartans inside of 12 months.
The Highlanders and Giles County met in Friday's 3/6 showdown, and third-ranked Glenvar stymied its district rival once again. Head coach Kevin Clifford's troops allowed Giles' Brian Mann to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the Spartans could not get anything going on offense.
The Highlanders prevented Giles from earning a first down until the second half, in an impressive 19-7 triumph.
Daryl Manns was impressive once again for Glenvar, rushing for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
One For the Ages:
On September 26, 1926, the Kingsport High School (Tennessee) football team hung 193 points on Norton.
Though only one team did all of the damage, the 193-point outing marks the most number of points scored in a high school football game in the state of Virginia.
The record still stands today, but on Friday night, 89 years later, Western Albemarle Warriors and the Staunton River Golden Eagles etched their own place in history.
The two teams combined for 164 points and 1,357 yards of total offense in a thrilling 85-79 Staunton River triumph.
One hundred and sixty-four points scored is the second highest total in state history, and the most ever complied by two teams from the Commonwealth.
Prior to Friday’s shootout, Hampton High School, which quarterbacked by former North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry, held the record for most points scored in a playoff game, with 76.
Both Western Albemarle and Staunton River had surpassed the Crabbers’ mark with over two minutes remaining in the contest.
The 1,357 yards of total offense covers over 13 football fields, and is just north of three-quarters-of-a-mile.
The Warriors and Golden Eagles combined to punt the ball three times, with two of which taking place in the first quarter.
Neither the Western Albemarle nor the Staunton River basketball teams scored more points in a single game last season than the Warriors and Golden Eagles amassed in Friday night’s thriller.
Oddly enough, in a game full of offense, two defensive plays changed the course of the entire game. With Staunton River looking to put the game away late, Western's Darren Klein picked off a pass to set the Warriors up with a chance to win the game.
The celebration was short-lived, as Staunton River's Noah Dellis picked off Sam Hearn in the end zone a little more than a minute later to seal the victory for the Golden Eagles.
It was an unbelievable win and a signature moment for a Staunton River program that won just two games last fall.
Elsewhere in 3A West, fourth-ranked Magna Vista put an end to Brookville's once promising season with a 36-13 triumph over the Bees. The Warriors will welcome high-flying Staunton River to Martinsville this weekend.
Upset City:
Western Albemarle was not the only team to be bitten by the upset bug on Friday night. Northside head coach Burt Torrence will need to wait another year to chase his third state championship, as seventh-seeded Abingdon made the long trip east and upset the Vikings 28-21.
The knock on the Falcons all season was that they did all of their damage against 2A opponents, and would not be able to make it against the rugged 3A West grind. After escaping Rustburg in week one, and putting up 28 points on Northside's defense, it is clear that Abingdon belongs among the top teams in the region.
Elliot Strugill was fantastic, leading the Falcons through the air with 289 yards passing. Though the passing game is Abingdon's bread and butter, the Falcons managed to burn Northside with a long run for the go-ahead score. Fullback Matthew Fulton fooled everybody, and rumbled 47 yards late in the fourth quarter to give Abingdon the final 28-21 margin.
Top Dog:
With Western Albemarle and Northside done, third-ranked Lord Botetourt is the highest-ranked team remaining in 3A West. The Cavalier defense looked as good as ever in Friday's 17-7 victory over Monticello. The Botetourt front-seven made a living in the MHS backfield, while holding the Mustangs to 141 yards of total offense. Like many of the Cavaliers' wins this season, the final stats are misleading, as much of Monticello's final yardage came during garbage time.
Botetourt Head coach Jamie Harless, who is now 34-12 in his four years in Daleville, will take on his alma mater Abingdon in next week's regional title game.
Favorites March On:
Switching to the 4A West Region, where top-ranked Jefferson Forest and number-three Salem each earned impressive victories after enjoying a first-round bye.
JF dueled with under seeded Millbrook in a battle of two of the top rushing offenses in all of 4A, but in the end, the Cavaliers emerged with a 35-28 win. Jefferson Forest will tangle with 11-1 Woodgrove this weekend.
Salem and Amherst met for the second time this season, and once again, the Spartans emerged victorious. Behind a host of big plays, Salem cruised by 11th-ranked Amherst 35-7, ending a breakout season for Cecil Phillips and the Lancers.
The Spartans will have fellow unbeaten Jon Champe on Saturday, in what should be one heck of a regional semifinal.
Three in a Row:
After going winless against Giles County for about two decades, all of the sudden, Glenvar owns three victories over the Spartans inside of 12 months.
The Highlanders and Giles County met in Friday's 3/6 showdown, and third-ranked Glenvar stymied its district rival once again. Head coach Kevin Clifford's troops allowed Giles' Brian Mann to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the Spartans could not get anything going on offense.
The Highlanders prevented Giles from earning a first down until the second half, in an impressive 19-7 triumph.
Daryl Manns was impressive once again for Glenvar, rushing for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
