Photos by Leigh Downey
The James River football team completed a challenging season last Friday with a 35-3 loss to Patrick County in Stuart. With the loss the Knights finished the season 1-9 and saw the end of Tim Jennings’ six years as head coach.
Tim was told he would not return as head coach prior to River’s final game. It wasn’t his decision, and he made that clear.
“I wasn’t stepping down,” he said. “They told me they were moving in another direction and I didn’t see any point in lying.”
Jennings leaves with a six year record of 17-40. The Knights made the playoffs twice in those six years, losing a close game at home to Martinsville in 2021 and a 63-0 loss at Radford last year against a Bobcat team that went on to win the state championship.
A long time wrestling, football assistant and history coach at James River, Tim left the wrestling program to become athletic director. However, the Parry McCluer graduate dreamed of someday being a head football coach and left the AD position to become head coach of the Knights when Jake Phillips resigned after the 2017 season.
“I never would have given up the AD job if I thought this was going to happen,” said Jennings. “Being head football coach takes up a whole lot more of your time than being the AD.”
File photo
Jennings was in a tough spot. James River is one of the smallest schools in Class 2, having been turned down in an attempt to drop to Class 1. The Knights play in the Three Rivers District, which is one of the toughest Class 2 districts in the state. Radford was state champ last year and Glenvar is 9-1 and a state competitor this season. Class 3 Alleghany and Carroll County are in the district and Floyd usually has a good team as well.
“It was hard for us to compete,” said Jennings. “I’m not using it as an excuse, but we’re always fighting an uphill battle. We’re never going to match up with anyone size-wise and with injuries and sickness our lack of depth really hurt us. It was a shell game out there in a lot of ways.”
Jennings’ final game as head coach was typical of this season. The Knights moved the ball early in the game but turnovers and ill-timed penalties hurt. Last Friday starting tailback Gavin Binns went out sick early in the game and the Knights were held to 64 yards rushing. Kody Park, playing quarterback for injured Pierce Woodyard, was 11 for 27 passing but had two interceptions.
“He only rushed for 25 yards on five carries, but he evaded several sacks and extended several plays to either move the chains or keep the offense moving forward,” said Jennings of Park. “It was by far his best game as a backup quarterback over the last third of the season. He threw the ball well, we had like four or five drops.”
Josiah Merchant had 83 yards on eight receptions and also had an interception for the Knights. Knox Taylor scored the only points on a field goal.
The Knights lose 11 seniors and the new coach will have his work cut out for him.
“We did some good things,” said Jennings. “We were able to raise a lot of money for the program and we averaged 40 kids a day in the weight room. Jake hosted the first playoff game in school history and we hosted the second. I enjoyed it and I wouldn’t have done anything differently.”
