The James River football team will be heading to Stuart Friday to wrap up the season against Three Rivers District rival Patrick County. The Knights are 1-8 after losing to Alleghany in Covington last Friday, 55-0.
This is a good chance for a win game against a Patrick County team that is 3-6 and has lost their last five games, including two by shutout. Both teams are looking for their first district victory.
“We’re really banged up, but this is a winnable game,” said River coach Tim Jennings. “We’re going to have to be disciplined; they do a lot of stuff.”
River was no match for 9-0 Alleghany, a Class 3 school that is ranked third in Region 3C behind two other unbeaten teams. The Cougars led 42-0 at the half and eased to a win with the clock running continuously in the second half.
“Top to bottom, they were the best team we’ve played,” said Jennings. “Our kids played hard but we had some ill-timed drops, and penalties and turnovers cost us. We were able to move the ball some but we gave them too many short fields.”
Photos by Leigh Downey
Alleghany held Gavin Binns to 42 yards rushing on 12 carries, although a 50-yard run was called back by a penalty. Sam Wilson had 30 yards on four carries and Josiah Merchant had two receptions for 50 yards. Kody Park was four for 18 passing for 69 yards.
Friday’s game will be the season finale for the Knights, who are 11th in the VHSL Region 2C rankings. Only the top eight make the playoffs and even with a win Friday, River wouldn’t gain enough points to pass three teams.
