Blue Devils Look to Bounce Back Against Powell Valley

By Cody Dalton
TriCitiesSports.com
October 18, 2006

After a heartbreaking loss in overtime to Clintwood last week, the Gate City Blue Devils will be looking to get back on track when they host Powell Valley th is Friday at Legion Field.

The Blue Devils (4-3, 3-1 LPD) have lost two of their last three games heading into Friday’s contest. A loss for either team could knock them out of the VHSL playoffs. Going in, Powell Valley is third among Region D, Division 2 teams with a 14.4 power rating and Gate City is fourth at 13.4 -- barely ahead of Clintwood, which is at 13.3. Haysi leads with a 15.3 power rating, while Honaker is at 14.5. Gate City still has to play Appalachia (6-1) and Burton (7-0) after playing Powell Valley.

“We have a bunch of fighters on this team,” said coach Nick Colobro. “We played hard against Clintwood. That is behind us and we can’t dwell on it.”

Powell Valley had done the exact opposite. The Vikings haver won two games in a row and have momentum coming into their road game on Friday.

"Coming out of our bye week a few weeks ago, we wanted to make sure we established momentum for the rest of the season,'' said Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins. "I think we have done so thus far. We have to keep that going against Gate City.''

Powell Valley (4-3, 3-1 LPD) offers a test to the Blue Devils. The Indians are averaging 29.4 points per game, while the Blue Devils average 23.9 per game.

“I don’t think it matters what the team’s records are,” said Robbins. “I just think it is going to be one heck of a football game.”

The winner of the Gate City-Powell Valley game will help to cement their position in the VHSL Class A, Region D, Division 2 playoff picture.

“It is going to be a competitive contest,” said Colobro. “I hope that we go out and play the best we can play. That is all you can ask for.”

Powell Valley's lone district loss came at the hands of unbeaten J.I. Burton, 32-13. The Vikings also lost to Seymour (Tenn.) 38-7 and to Breathitt, Ky. (42-28). The wins have come against Lee (40-6), Pound (55-0), Clintwood (21-14) and J.J. Kelly (42-6) last week. Gate City's losses were to unbeaten Richlands (48-14) and Virginia High (17-14) and then at Clintwood last week, 17-14 in overtime. Wins were over Coeburn (34-6), Pound (24-6), at Lee (34-14) and over Kelly (33-6).

Here are Friday’s probable lineups:

Gate City Blue Devils (4-3, 3-1 LPD)

Offense
TE – 87 Matt Bays, 6-4, 200 Jr.
RT – 56 Jacob Jones, 6-0, 230 Sr.
RG – 73 Jon Pope, 6-3, 290 Sr.
C – 50 Seth Musick, 5-9, 215 Jr.
LG – 51 Justin Faulkner, 5-11, 200 Sr.
LT – 54 Quintin Jones, 6-4, 270 Sol.
SE – 81 Corey Smith, 5-7, 130 Jr.
QB – 12 Tihlee Anderson, 5-8, 150 So.
RB – 20 Tyler Parks, 5-7, 180 Jr.
FB – 34 Jordan Estepp, 6-3, 190 So.
FL – 21 Jesse Broadwater, 5-10, 158 Jr.
PK – 10 Ked Byrd, 5-6, 135 So.

Defense
DE – 30 Cody Hensley, 6-0, 180 Fr.
DT – 55 Jake Carter, 6-5, 230 Sr.
DT – 62 Josh Powers, 5-9, 235 Jr.
DE – 52 Tyler Tiller, 6-0, 205 So.
LB – 33 Cameron Browder, 6-0, 196 So.
LB – 71 Jason Begley, 5-8, 200 So.
LB – 34 Jordan Estepp, 6-3, 190 So.
DB – 2 Dustin Faulkner, 5-11, 155 Jr.
DB – 12 Tihlee Anderson, 5-8, 150 So.
DB – 43 Eric Hutchins, 6-2, 185 So.
DB – 23 Will Godsey, 5-9, 140 So.
P – 20 Tyler Parks, 5-7, 180 Jr.

Powell Valley (4-3, 3-1 LPD)

Offense
WR – 10 Delmas Lawson, 6-0, 190 Jr.
WR – 12 Stephen Mumpower, 6-1, 165 Sr.
WR – 21 Terrell Turner, 6-1, 150 Jr.
WR – 3 David Herron, 5-10, 140 Jr.
LT – 51 Casey Bentley, 6-3, 252 Sr.
LG – 50 Christopher Fraley, 6-0, 185 So.
C – 76 Jason Neeley, 6-0, 275 Sr.
RG – 61 Dustin Bentley, 6-0, 212 Jr.
RT – 73 Jacob Thomas, 6-2, 290 Sr.
RB – 16 Myron Pinkston, 5-10, 200 Fr.
QB – 1 Cedric Mitchell, 6-1, 185 Jr.
PK – 76 Jason Neeley, 6-0, 275 Sr.

Defense
DE – 53 Wes Isom, 6-0, 240 Sr.
DE – 40 Joshua Spurlock, 6-4, 205 Sr.
DT – 50 Christopher Fraley, 6-0, 185 So.
DT – 79 Chad Jones, 6-2, 210 Jr.
LB – 2 Brian Murphy, 6-1, 210 Sr.
LB – 13 Trey Garrison, 5-10, 190 Jr.
LB – 24 John Michael Allen, 5-8, 175 Jr.
LB – 16 Myron Pinkston, 5-10, 200 Fr.
CB – 10 Delmas Lawson, 6-0 190 Jr.
CB – 12 Stephen Mumpower, 6-1, 165 Sr.
S – 81 Nick Ratliff, 5-10, 155 Jr.
P – 10 Delmas Lawson, 6-0, 190 Jr.