From The Bleachers 2000:
Week Ten
by Ardent Cougar

Friday, October 27 - Patrick Henry Patriots (Home):

Series:  PC leads 16-11. 
Last Meeting: 1999 at Patrick Henry.  Injuries and mistakes plauged the Cougars, and the Patriots pulled off the upset, ending PC's last playoff hope.  Jermaine Myers and Reggie Jones led a rushing attack that ripped the Cougars for 332 yards.  Josh Calfee did not play at all in the second half, and Patrick Henry won 22-13.

A PC-PH game has not meant this much since 1982, when a 9-0 Cougar team defeated a 9-0 Patriot team 10-7 in the last week of the season.

When looking back to preseason predictions, it is not surprising that the Cougars and Patriots are squaring off this week for sole possession of first place in the RVD after 9 games.  However, both teams being undefeated at this point in the season is a surprise to many.  With Cave Spring not only a mere game behind, but also laying in wait for the Cougars in the last game of the regular season, this race is not merely heating up, it is on fire!

Last week, PH went to Rocky Mount and defeated Franklin County 35-18.  The Eagles actually led 7-0 and 10-7 before surrendering 28 straight points.  It was 35-10 before FC got a kickoff return TD late in the game.  FC's other TD was also scored with special teams, the first one coming on a long punt return.

RB Jermaine Myers is back this year, as is QB Maurice Robinson, who passed for a combined 374 yards the past two weeks.  According to what Chuck Vipperman (who runs the G.W. Eagles Football website) posted in the Cougar Forum, "P-H runs an old fashioned "straight-T" formation..... fullback trap and lots of quick dives from the tailbacks.... veteran skill players who don't fumble very often.  P-H will give Pulaski a good game..."

At this point in the season, the best record that any of our past opponents has is 5-4 (Danville).  This game will be a good test, showing how far this team might go.

Common Opponents:
 

Official Northwest Region VHSL Power Ratings:  3rd in Division 5  (Patrick Henry is 2nd in Division 5)
AP State Poll (10/25):  5th (tie) in AAA, 2nd (tie) in Division 5  (Patrick Henry is 12th (tie) in AAA, 5th in Division 5)
Gilliam's Ratings:  6th overall, 6th in AAA, 2nd in Division 5.  (Patrick Henry is 25th overall, 21st in AAA, 6th in Division 5)

Northwest Region District Standings and Power Ratings

Playoff Scenario – Northwest Region Division 5

Gilliam's Playoff Predictions
 
 

Scoring Stats:

Average beginning margin:  +19  (best: +54  worst: -3)
Average biggest lead:  +35  (best: +54  worst: +21)
Average biggest deficit: -1  (best: 0  worst: -3)
Average final margin:  +31  (best: +54  worst: +14)

Team Stats:

Average Cougar rushing game:  50 rushes, 417 yards, 8.33 yards per carry
Average Opponent rushing game:  29 rushes, 111 yards, 3.81 yards per carry

Average Cougar passing game:  2 completions, 4 passes, 0 interceptions, 27 yards, 6.87 yards per attempt, 13.31 yards per completion
Average Opponent passing game:  8 completions, 19 passes, 2 interceptions, 111 yards, 5.71 yards per attempt, 14.51 yards per completion

Average Cougar punt return:  15.36 yards
Average Opponent punt return:  1.43 yards

Average Cougar kickoff return:  20.92 yards
Average Opponent kickoff return:  19.88 yards

Average takeaway margin:  +2
Average penalty yard margin:  -28

Week Nine Review - Off Week

Cave Spring beat E.C. Glass handily 30-0, keeping the Knights within a game of the Cougars and Patriots.  The Hilltoppers (3-6) thus went a 3rd consecutive week without putting up so much as even a safety on the scoreboard, as well as suffering through a 4th straight game without crossing the goal line.

William Fleming broke open a close game in the 4th quarter, defeating Single-A powerhouse Giles (7-2) 29-8.