Virginia Sports Academy Start With Win

Virginia Sports Academy Start With Win
By David Gravely

There were plenty of people who said it would never get off the ground, but a determined effort on the part of the coaches and players pushed them over the top.  Having the backing of a church never hurts either.  After all of the planning, preparation, and practice was finished, the Virginia Sports Academy Saints football team finally had the chance to strap the helmets on and play this past Sunday.  The Saints hosted the Durham Raiders at Auburn High Schools football field, and after taking an early lead and losing it, they were able to tie the game up with a 25 yard field goal near the end of regulation and then take home the win with a 35 yard field goal. 

Former Pulaski County Cougar and current Saints Head Coach Kirk Hendricks was very pleased with his teams efforts.  "We made some mistakes early in the game when we had a chance to add more points to the board, but we held our heads up and kept working" said Hendricks.  "I cant begin to tell you how proud I am of these young men.  They have a great work ethic, and they never say quit.  We're all looking forward to being able to build on what we're getting started here today."

Virginia started the scoring early after recovering a Durham fumble on a bad punt snap.  Running back Alvin Butler ran it in from five yards out for the first score of the season, and then former Patrick County running back Josh Walker ran the ball in for the two point conversion, putting the Saints up 8-0.  Durham held things together, and on the next play scored on a 55 yard touchdown pass.  The two point conversion tied the game, but the Raiders weren't ready to rest just yet.  With 1:48 left in the first quarter Durham added another touchdown pass and two point conversion, bringing the score to 16-8 Raiders.

The second quarter found the Saints on the move, and with 12:13 left in the half former Florida A & M quarterback Timothy Reynolds took the ball off the left side of his offensive line and scampered 26 yards for the second Saints score of the game.  The two point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Raiders with a 16-14 lead.  Durham would add a final touchdown to the scoreboard with 7:29 left in the half, and after the two point conversion both teams went to the locker room with Durham leading 24-14.

The Saints came into the second half ready, and drove the ball down the field on a combination of running and short passing plays.  With 8:36 left in the third quarter, Reynolds sent the ball to the sideline where wide receiver Ernest Jones, formerly of Jean Ribault High School in Florida, snatched it away from a defender and spun to his left and headed eight yards into the endzone.  Former Allegheny kicker Dustin Billings was good for the point after, putting the Saints behind 24-21.  Both teams swapped punts until near the end of the third quarter, and then a turnover gave the ball back to the Saints.  A pass attempt was tipped at the line of scrimmage, and Virginia's Roy Owens Jr. suddenly found himself with the ball.  After a short return, the Saints were back in business. 

The fourth quarter found the Saints working the clock and moving the ball with a power offense.  With 1:24 left in regulation, Billings hit his first field goal of the season to tie the game at 24-24.  Durham attempted to pass deep and get into field goal position, but a stubborn Saints defense held strong.  The Raiders were forced to punt, and after several long pass attempts by Virginia the regulation time expired and the game went into overtime.

With the ball placed at the 25 yard line, Durham had the chance to go on offense first.   Three plays later, the Durham quarterback sent the ball to a waiting receiver, but the pass was batted around until finally Willie Yates intercepted for the Saints to end Durhams drive.  The Saints were then given the ball on the 25 for their offensive chance.  The first two plays resulted in lost yardage, but on third down running back Josh Walker broke loose for positive yardage and put the Saints into field goal range.  Billings calmly came out and connected on the 35 yard attempt to give the Saints their first win ever, 27-24.

The Saints get back to business this weekend, as they will face off against the Radford University Highlanders Club team.  The game is set to be played at Shawsville Middle School, with a 2 pm kickoff.  There are several local players who will be on each side of the ball, and this is an excellent chance to see some good hard hitting football.  Come out and support our local football teams.

Dukes Open Season With A Win

Dukes Open Season With A Win
By David Gravely

The 2010 season got off to a wild start for Dublin Middle School on Thursday, as the Dukes were forced to come from behind in the final three minutes of the game to win 22-20 at Dublin's Soldiers Field.

The game got underway with Giles successfully executing an onsides kick.  The Spartans then marched down the field using their long used Single Wing offense to grind out yardage.  Giles got on the scoreboad first with a short touchdown run, but the extra point was denied by the Dukes.  Dublin answered immediately, when on the very first play from scrimmage Malik Eaves took the ball around the left side of the offensive line and went 75 yards untouched into the endzone.   Fullback Jake Callahan ran the ball into the endzone for the two point conversion.

After holding the Spartans in check on their next drive, the Dukes began a long drive of their own.  Callahan finished the drive off when he ran over a Giles defender on the right side of the line and went into the endzone from two yards out.   After a blocking in the back penalty on the two point attempt forced the Dukes back ten yards, the score remained 14-6 Dublin.

Just before the end of the half the Spartans were able to break off several long runs to move into scoring position.  With under a minute left in the second quarter Giles scored from eight yards out, and then were able to score the two point conversion to end the half tied at 14-14.

The toughest thing about defending the single wing is simply getting the offense off the field, as the Dukes quickly found out.  Giles started the second half with the ball, and drove the length of the field before finally scoring just before the end of the quarter.  The extra point attempt was no good, putting the Spartans up 20-14.  On Dublins next possesion there was a problem with the option pitch from Jesse Draper to Malik Eaves, and Giles recovered the ball inside Dublin territory.  The Spartans drove the ball towards the Dukes goal line, before finally being stopped on fourth and goal at the two yard line. 

The stop seemed to bring new life to the Dukes, who came out re energized but 98 yards away from a game tying score.  On first down Elijah Booth took the ball around the left side of the line on a sweep for a Dukes first down.  Malik Eaves took the ball to the right side of the field looking for daylight on the next play, but was quickly cornered by a tough Giles defense.  With just over two minutes left in the contest, Eaves lined up in the shotgun.  At the snap he drop back, avoided a tackle, and then put the ball over the outstretched hands of two Giles linemen towards the center of the field.  Jesse Draper ran right under the ball and after a one handed grab headed 78 yards to paydirt.  Eaves took the ball off the right side of the line and headed towards the corner of the endzone, diving through three Giles players to score the two point conversion and put the Dukes up 22-20.

After receiving the kickoff, Giles got to work in an attempt to move into scoring position.  The Dukes held for three downs, but then the Giles quarterback got off a pass to an open receiver for a first down.  On the next play Giles gained five yards, moving them to around the 50 yard line, and called a timeout.  With 15 seconds left on the clock the Spartan quarterback dropped back and sent the ball sailing to what appeared to be an open receiver.  Eaves came in at the last second in an attempt to intercept the pass, but missed it and the receiver caught the ball and headed to the endzone.  Elliot Brewster came in and to hammer the ball carrier, sending the ball loose on the ground, and Levi Clark recovered the fumble for the Dukes.   Draper took a knee with three seconds left on the clock, and the game ended with the final score of 22-20.

The Dukes will be back in action on Thursday, September 2 when the host Blacksburg Middle School.  Kickoff is set for 5 pm.

Dublin Middle School Has High Hopes

D.M.S. Football Has High Hopes
By David Gravely

When you look at the 2010 Dublin Middle School football team, you don't see alot of players that you would consider large.  In fact, one of the biggest players on either side of the line may not be as big as the smallest lineman from seasons past.  Fortunately, there is alot more to being a football player than just being big.

"This group of players is not very large" said Dukes Head Football Coach Richard Lewis.  "We don't really even have very many kids who are tall.  What we do have though are a solid group of kids that work well together and they are working hard.  We also have some kids who are quick.  Faster is always better, but with what we're trying to do this season we really need that quickness on the lines."

What he and his team are doing is starting to put in some of the new offensive and defensive schemes that Cougar Head Coach Todd Jones is putting in for the Cougars.  "The kids are excited about both of the new schemes" said Lewis.  "We will be trying to use as much of that as possible so that the kids can start getting a little more comfortable with the system they will see when they get to the high school.  Coach Jones, as was the case with Coach Turner and Coach Hicks, has been very supportive of the efforts at both middle schools.  These kids are the future Cougars, and we want them ready."

Coach Lewis, who has been coaching for thirty years and has been the head coach at Dublin for twenty three years, has some solid help on the sidelines.  John Myers has been involved with coaching the Dukes for fifteen years, and Randy Grubb joined the Dukes this season after coaching at Pulaski Middle last season and PCHS in his first year.  "I'm very much looking forward to this football season.  I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and coach the students of Dublin Middle School."

The offensive line for Dublin has done well to this point in the preseason.  "Our current starting offensive line is Tanner Dotson, Shane Chrisley, Ryan East, Tyler Gravely, and Sam Grissom" said Lewis.  "They've been blocking well, and it looks like we have some very solid players backing them up, but we need to get more aggressive." 

At quarterback there have been three players rotate in and out.  Jesse Draper has been the starter to this point, and has shown that if things go bad he will tuck the ball in and run....sometimes over top of a few defenders who get in his way.   When not at quarterback, Draper lines up either in the backfield or on a wing as a running back.  Malik Eaves has seen time under center and in the shotgun, and he provides a dual threat with his ability to take off and slash through the defense or pull back and throw the ball.  Seventh grader Kevin Smith has also seen considerable time at quarterback in the preseason, and while he has had a few ball handling issues at first, Smith is quickly proving to be a solid player at the position.

There are a good assortment of running backs, with the majority of the carries so far going to Malik Eaves, Jesse Draper, Jake Callahan, Elijah Booth, and Levi Clark.  Elliot Brewster has shown that he has the speed and skill to do some damage when he gets the ball, as well as Adam Lawson, and Mark Southern.  There are several other backs that could see playing time throughout the season.

"The defensive secondary has made a good showing to this point, showing solid open field tackling and the ability to see the ball well" said Coach Lewis.  "Darion Brown, Kevin Smith, Ryan Spangler, and Elliott Brewster are currently our starters in those spots.  Our linebackers are starting to see the ball better as well.  They are making better reads and moving to the ball.  Again, we just need to continue to improve each day.  Our defensive front is coming along pretty well, but we have more work to do on stance and technique."

So with thirty years of coaching, I ask Coach Lewis what he thought the Dukes would have to accomplish to have a successful season.  "As would be the case in any other year, we will feel like this team is successful if we work to the best of our ability "together" to become the best "team" that we can possibly be.  If we do that, we will have success winning some games and developing in other areas.  We try to impress upon the players that we know that if they will first show a great work ethic in the classroom, and great and unselfish character in working with their teachers and classmates, then we know they will also be great teammates on the Dublin Dukes.  We want them to realize that each one of them as teammates has an important role to play in making this years season a success.  We also want them to take what they learn here and continue it on at the high school as Cougars."

After competing in the Tazewell Jamboree this coming weekend, the Dukes will kick off their season as they host Giles on Thursday, August 26.  Game time is set for 5 pm.

Dukes Trounce Titans

Dukes Trounce Titans
By David Gravely

Dublin Middle School's Malik Eaves ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as the Dukes defeated the Blacksburg Middle School Titans 36-22 Thursday night at Dublin's Soldiers Field.  The win moves the Dukes to 2-0 on the season.

Dublin scored first after driving the ball sixty-one yards in the opening drive of the game, with Eaves taking the ball in from twelve yards out.  Levi Clark carried the ball through the left side of the line for the two point conversion.  With 4:40 left in the second quarter, Blacksburg got on the board with a 14 yard run by their quarterback, but the two point conversion failed, leaving the score at 8-6.  The Dukes would add another score with 1:01 left in the half when Eaves rolled out to the right from the quarterback position and tossed the ball over the heads of the Titans to Ryan Spangler for a 3 yard touchdown pass.  Jesse Draper ran the ball in for the two point conversion, and the half ended with Dublin up 16-6.

Blacksburg started the second half off strong, and with 4:27 left in the quarter #22 Hendricks took the ball in from 9 yards out.  Hendricks also ran in the two point conversion, bringing the score to 16-14 Dublin.   The Dukes were forced to punt on their next possession, but stood strong on defense.   Dublin's Austin Ellison, Kevin Smith, and Jesse Draper stepped up in a big play to end the drive. 

The Dukes took the ball back, and with 7:07 left in the fourth quarter Eaves broke loose on the left side of the line, got a good block from Spangler at wide receiver, and went 71 yards untouched for his second rushing touchdown.  The two point conversion was no good, leaving the score at 22-14 Dublin.  With Blacksburg back in control of the ball, the Titans began looking for a way to get into the endzone and tie the score, but Ellison sacked the Titan quarterback and forced a fumble, then he picked it up and ran the ball 22 yards into the endzone to put Dublin up 28-14 after another failed 2 point attempt. 

Blacksburg again went on the offensive, but another hard hit from a Dublin defender sent the ball loose, and Taylor Gee came out of the pile with the ball to put the Dukes back in business.  With the backups coming into the game, Kevin Smith rumbled 35 yards for a score on a quarterback keeper, but a holding call brought the ball back.   Dublin continued to leave the reserves in the game, and Blacksburg #22 Hendricks broke loose for a 65 yard touchdown run.  After #32 took the ball in for the two point conversion, the score moved to 28-22 Dublin. 

Dublin Coach Richard Lewis took no chances, and put the first team offense back in.  While trying to run out the clock, Eaves broke another long run for 43 yards for the final touchdown of the game.  Jake Callahan bounced in for the two point conversion to bring about the final score of 36-22 Dublin.  The Dukes hit the road for their first away game of the season next Thursday when they travel to Roanoke to face the Hidden Valley Titans.  Game time is set for 5:30.

Hidden Valley Defeats Dublin

Dukes Fall To Hidden Valley
By David Gravely

Turnovers, poor tackling, and a strong Hidden Valley running game and defense proved to be too much for Dublin Middle School Thursday in Roanoke, as the Dukes dropped their first game of the season to the Eagles by a final score of 21-8.

Dublin received the ball to start the game, but were forced to punt without a first down.  Hidden Valley drove the ball down the field, and with 3:37 left in the first quarter #22 for the Eagles scored on a 34 yard run.  The two point conversion was stopped, leaving the score at 6-0.  On the kickoff the Dukes returned the ball to the 43 yard line, but a fumble on third down gave the ball back to the Eagles.   Jake Callahan recovered a fumble by the Eagles three plays later to put the Dukes back in business, but Dublin couldn't get the first down and Hidden Valley took over.  The Eagles again drove the ball down the field, and with 3:36 left in the half #44 took the ball in from three yards out for the score.  Hidden Valley's #22 took the ball into the endzone for the two point conversion, putting the score at 14-0 Eagles.

Dublin started to move the ball with a good mix of runs and passes, but the Dukes fumbled the ball again at the Hidden Valley 17 yard line to end the drive.  The Eagles decided to try to finish the game with a long pass, but the ball was tipped and #7 Darion Brown intercepted the ball for Dublin and returned it to the Hidden Valley thirty yard line.  The Dukes attempted a long pass, but in was incomplete and the half ended 14-0 Hidden Valley.

Hidden Valley took the second half kickoff and drove the length of the field before a solid hit knocked the ball loose and #62 Tanner Dotson recovered the fumble on the Dukes two yard line.  Dublin began to move the ball again, but on the first play of the fourth quarter a pass from #2 Malik Eaves was intercepted by Hidden Valley.  With 2:18 left in the fourth quarter Hidden Valley finished off another long drive when #22  took the ball in from four yards out for the score.  The Eagles #58 kicked the extra point to put the score at 21-0 Hidden Valley.

After another good kickoff return, Dublin finally put together a solid drive and moved the ball down the field.  With 26.8 second left in the fourth quarter #32 Levi Clark took the ball off the right side of the offensive line and drove into the endzone for six.  The Dukes #5 Jesse Draper met stiff resistance at the line while attempting the two point conversion, but he bulled his way over three Eagle defenders to convert, putting the score at 21-8 Hidden Valley.  The Dukes attempted an onside kick on the kickoff, but Hidden Valley recovered and took a knee to end the game.

The coaches agreed to let the backups play an extra session, giving each teams offense ten plays.   Dublin's #17 Kevin Smith came to take over the quarterback duties, and the Dukes began to move the ball.  Running backs Mark Southern, Jared Lucado, Darion Brown, and Elliot Brewster all got their chance to carry the pigskin, but the highlight of the Dukes offensive series was a 70 yard touchdown run down the visitors sidelines by Kevin Smith.  The Dukes defense held strong and did not allow Hidden Valley to score.

Dublin, now 2-1 on the season, come back home next week to host Andrew Lewis on Thursday September 16th.  Kickoff is set for 5 pm.

Dukes Fall To Andrew Lewis

Dukes Fall to Andrew Lewis
By David Gravely

The Dublin Middle School Dukes football team dropped to 2-2 on the season Thursday night as they were overwhelmed by an extremely aggressive and effective Andrew Lewis offense and defense.  While the Dukes were able to move the ball inside the Wolverines 10 yard line early in the first quarter, an Andrew Lewis interception ended that drive and the Dukes fell by a final score of 49-0.

The Dukes received the ball on the opening kickoff but were forced to punt.  The Wolverines hit paydirt quickly, with a 57 yard touchdown run, followed by the extra point at the 5:41 mark of the first quarter.   The Dukes returned the kickoff to their own 48 yard line, and a big run by Levi Clark moved the ball to the nine yard line, putting the Dukes into scoring position.  The Wolverines then intercepted a pass attempt to end the drive, and drove the ball the length of the field to score again with 2:14 left in the first quarter.  The PAT put the score at 14-0 Andrew Lewis.  Andrew Lewis intercepted a second Dukes pass in the first quarter, and with 7:46 left in the second quarter scored on a 12 yard run.  Touchdown runs of 80 yards and 45 yards finished out the first half for the Wolverines, leaving the score at 35-0.

Andrew Lewis took the kickoff in the second half and began to drive down the field again.  With 3:55 left in the third quarter on a running clock the Wolverines scored on a 28 yard run.  The final score of the game came from the Wolverines on a 48 yard run, followed by the seventh successful extra point attempt of the game to put the final score at 49-0 Andrew Lewis.

The Dukes hit the road this week, as they travel to Christiansburg to face the Blue Demons at Christiansburg High School.  Game time is set for 5:30.