Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510130006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If there is such a thing as a Timesland football game of the year, this game comes closest to that description. It beats out the Salem-Pulaski County matchup only because that game isn't a district contest.
Giles, off to a 5-0 start, possibly has a finer team than the 1993 outfit that won the Group A Division 2 title. Raypheal and Maurice Milton might be gone from that offensive juggernaut, but this year's edition of the Spartans has averaged 41 points per game. That's only one point less than the 1993 club averaged in its first five outings.
In 1993, Giles played at Radford and had its closest call before beating the Bobcats 30-28. Radford, then a New River District team, dropped to the Group A ranks the next year and joined Giles in the new Three Rivers District.
Radford's start this year isn't as impressive as that of the Spartans. Radford is 4-1 and averaging only 25 points a game. Take away the Powell Valley game, though, and the Bobcats are scoring more than 30 points per contest.
The Giles-Radford game matches two of Timesland's best veteran coaches - the Spartans' Steve Ragsdale and the Bobcats' Norm Lineburg. When both teams were in the New River District, the teams had some classic matchups.
Friday's contest will settle the Three Rivers District title, but more than that is at stake. Giles was No.1 in the first Group A rankings and, win or lose against Radford, will be in the playoffs if it isn't doesn't lose again.
Radford, because of its setback at Powell Valley, isn't assured of making the playoffs as a wild card team should it lose the Three Rivers District title. So the game might be a little more important to the Bobcats.
As for Salem-Pulaski County game, the Spartans are 5-0 and appear to be on the way to a Blue Ridge District title. This season's Spartans are stronger than teams from the past few years. The Salem defense has given up only four touchdowns - two of them against Alleghany long after the game was decided.
If Salem's defense is good it might have to be extra special against the Cougars. The Spartans can't play a bend-but-not-break defense because letting Pulaski County inside the 50 is as good as giving up three points. For that, the Cougars can thank place-kicker Shayne Graham who has booted 9-of-12 field goals including last week's 50-yarder against Franklin County.
Pulaski County is rebuilding, but at 3-2 is favored to win the Roanoke Valley District and return to the Group AAA Division 5 playoffs.
Timesland has no two teams with more following than Pulaski and Salem. Friday's game is likely to draw more than 8,000 fans to Kenneth Dodson Stadium in Dublin.
Like Radford-Giles, the game matches two of Timesland's best coaches - Pulaski County's Joel Hicks and Salem's Willis White.
There are two other key games Friday. Liberty plays host to Jefferson Forest in a contest the Minutemen must win to have a shot at the Seminole District title. With a victory, Liberty also can take a big step toward earning a wild card spot in the Group AA Division 4 playoffs.
Cave Spring hopes to pick up its sixth consecutive win at Franklin County and open a bid for the Roanoke Valley District crown. The Knights, with each victory, move closer to a spot in the Group AAA Division 6 playoffs.
by CNB