Photos by Leigh Downey
The James River football team will have a bye this week and it might be a good time to have it. The Knights lost to undefeated Glenvar at home last Friday, 42-0, as the Highlanders took home the Virginia Media Rocking Chair for the 14th straight season.
“Glenvar has a very fine football team, the game speaks for itself,” said River coach Jack Baker. “They’re solid along the line and they have a sound scheme. They’re just a good football team.”
It was the fourth shutout of the season for the Highlanders, who have allowed just 29 total points in seven games, all wins. What’s somewhat surprising is that Glenvar held River running back Gavin Binns to just 35 yards in 20 carries a week after Binns rushed for 301 yards against Martinsville. Glenvar held River to 110 yards of offense while rolling up 420 yards of their own, including 303 passing yards sparked by all-state quarterback Brody Dawyot.
River had no answers for Dawyot, who accounted for six touchdowns. Brody threw for five scores and ran for another as Glenvar jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead, then put it away with 15 points in the third quarter.
The Knights had some bright spots in defeat. Merit Hammons was nine for 16 passing for 82 yards, including six completions to Josiah Merchant for 65 yards. Binns had a 78-yard kickoff return.
On defense, Sam Wilson had 13 tackles to lead the team. Briar Sink had nine tackles and Ryan Daniels had five. Jack Beheler blocked an extra point kick.
“The numbers don’t look good but we made some improvements,” said Baker. “Our inside zone run play got better and we’re getting better at coverage.”
With the loss the Knights dropped to 4-3 overall and they’re now fifth in the Region 2C rankings with the top eight making the playoffs. Glenvar remains atop the rankings followed by Gretna, Floyd County and Radford. The Three Rivers District holds four of the top five spots with only Gretna not in the TRD.
This week James River has a bye before returning October 24 to host Floyd County. The Buffaloes are also undefeated at 6-0 and having a strong season. It will be a big game for the Knights, who have two weeks to prepare.
“We’ll give the team off Monday and Friday,” said Baker. “We’ll work on some things we need to fix on Tuesday and then on Wednesday and Thursday we’ll jump on Floyd.”
Baker and his staff will be scouting the Floyd-Carroll County game in Hillsville this Friday.
“That gives us a chance to see two teams we still have to play,” he said.
