Max Meadows…Coming off of their bye week, the Fort Chiswell Pioneers will take on the Fighting Blues of Parry McCluer. The Fighting Blues are 3-1 on the season with wins over Rockbridge Co. (21-14), Stonewall Jackson (47-0), and this past Friday night they beat Nelson Co. 69-14. Their lone loss was to Buffalo Gap by a score of 20-0. Mike Craft, who’s in his sixth season, coaches the Blues. He has a 41-22 record.

“They are a run, run team,” said Pioneer coach Todd Tiller. “They run out of a straight T formation. They have three excellent running backs. They will run off tackle, fullback trap, sweeps and all three backs are involved in all of those.”

The Blues three backs are senior K J Cook 6-1, 220, sophomore Marcellus Dawson 6-0, 215 and Auburn transfer Jeremy Nelson a senior who is 6-1, 225. Other players to watch for the Blues will be quarterback Zach Clayton. The offensive line is lead by 6-0, 255 junior Josh Cash, 6-0, 225 sophomore Eli Wheeler, and junior 6-4, 245 Josh Fischer. They also will use two tight ends, Lydell Elliott and Jace Wheeler. Elliott is a senior 6-3, 200 and Wheeler is 6-1, 190 senior.

Coach Tiller remarked, “Their ‘O’ line is very good and experienced.” The Blues are returning nine starters on offense and also nine on defense. Last year the Blues finished with a 7-4 record losing at Hurley in the first round of the playoffs.

Defensively Parry McCluer with their nine returnees have given up just 48 points in their four games. Coach Tiller said, ”They run a 4-3 schemed; they will stunt the linebackers some. Their secondary will be in cover four and cover two. They are experienced on this side of the ball as well.” Cash, Robert Fields, Fischer and Elliott will lead McCluer on defense. The main linebackers are Wheeler, Cook and Dawson. Matt Thompson and Claytor lead the secondary.

“Parry McCluer is as experienced as any team we have faced so far this season,” said Coach Tiller. “They’re going to be a handful and we need to step up.”

Fort Chiswell will come into the contest in good health with their week off. On offense they will start Logan Smith at center with Grant Milgrim and Patrick Crawford at guards. Jacob Coake, Alex Brooks will be at guards with Billy Shrewsberry also getting time at guard. Warren “Pookie” Moore will be the quarterback. Sean Morgan is the running back with Andrew Stoots at “H” back. Tanner Bailey and Hunter Parrott are wide receivers and Colby Rider the tight end. Anthony Morris, Tyler Jakubiak will also see some time at receiver and running back.

The Pioneers will have Crawford, Brooks and Devin Newman on the defensive line. Milgrim, Rider, Shrewsberry, Stoots and TJ James at linebackers. The secondary will consist of Anthony Morris and Logan Newman at cornerbacks. Bailey will be at safety. Others seeing action on defense will be Ethan Woods, Jon Gregory, “Loopie” Turpin and Morgan.

Kick off is slated for 7 pm at C F McKinney Stadium at Fort Chiswell High School. It will be sandlot night at the stadium.