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Unbeaten Tigers welcome Greenbrier East to Hunnicutt Stadium

george thwaites, bluefield daily telegraph, w.va.
·4 min read

Sep. 29—PRINCETON — It doesn't seem that long ago that Princeton and Greenbrier East were huge gridiron rivals. Perhaps the rivalry still exists to some extent, but right now the two Class AAA programs appear to be at opposite ends of the success spectrum.

The Spartans will probably be looking to steal some of the thunder from the Class AAA No. 4 Tigers when they roll into Hunnicutt Stadium tonight for Princeton's homecoming game.

Unbeaten Princeton (5-0) is coming in off of a 42-0 win at Tazewell. Winless Greenbrier East (0-4) is coming off an open date, prior to which it lost 49-0 to Alleghany of Low Moor, Va.

Tigers head coach Keith Taylor doesn't intend for his team to treat the Spartans any differently from any other opponent they've faced so far this season. The formula has obviously been working nicely and he and his staff are focused on keeping the Tigers locked in on football in spite of all the festivities that could be distractions.

"I think its just business as usua. " Taylor said.

We've had some success last week and we've got to keep building upon it. What I was proud about is that our kids put together four quarters. Throughout this football season we've always put two or three pretty good quarters in. But we've had letdowns in a quarter or two. I thought we played a full football game on both sides of the ball and on special teams last week. So I'm really excited about this week," Taylor said.

"It is a heated rivalry. Last year, we got them. In the last couple of years they've been really, really close games and they've really put it to us up there a couple of times," Taylor said.

The biggest area of improvement was on the defensive side. The Tigers shut out a Tazewell offense not lacking in playmaking talent after having allowed 40 points the week prior.

"I think our defensive line did a great job and our entire defense was probably the standout, as far as what we took from that film as something to build on," Taylor said.

Offensively, the Tigers have been impressive. Quarterback Chance Barker is the area's most prolific passer, having thrown for 1,194 and 15 touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Dom Collins is the area's most productive pass-catcher with 23 catches for 581 yarsd and nine TDs.

Brad Mossor (17-262, 1 TD) and Marquel Lowe (6-193, 3 TDs) have been reliable alternative targets, with Lowe also leading the team — and the area — in rushing, with 637 yards on 68 carries, including eight TD runs.

Other Local High School Games:

Summers County (3-2) at James Monroe (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

The Class A No. 1 Mavericks beat Narrows, Va. 21-6 last week The Class A No. 11 Bobcats are coming off of a 16-6 win over Midland Trail.

Summers County QB Brandan Isaac has passed for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. Ryan Oliveros (29-545, 4 TDs) is the Bobcats' top receiver and also the team's top running back (24-309, 5 TDs).

Cooper Ridgeway leads the James Monroe rushing attack (50-457, 9 TDs) while QB Layton Dowdy has passed for 243 yards and three TDs.

Montcalm (3-0) at Hundred (2-2) 7 p.m.

The Generals the Class A No. 8 Generals are coming off of an 86-0 win over Hannan. The Hornets are coming off of a 42-20 win over Millersport, Ohio. Montcalm QB Jaylen Younger has passed for 444 yards and nine TDs, with Tristen Cline (8-190, 5 TDs) leading the receiving corps. Logan Carver (19-235, 4 TDs) lead the Generals rushing attack alongside Jeremy Shrewsbury and Isaiah Fink.

Ridgeview (5-0) at Richlands (0-5), 7 p.m.

The Wolfpack is coming off of a 48-7 win over Lee High. The Blue Tornado lost 28-7 to Lebanon.

Sherman (2-2) at PikeView (0-5), 7 p.m.

The Panthers are coming off of a 40-12 loss to Shady Spring. The Tide are coming off of a 16-14 loss to Ravenswood.

Giles (1-3) at Auburn (2-2), 7 p.m.

The Spartans are coming off of a 42-7 loss to Grayson County. The Eagles are coming off of a 50-0 loss to Galax.