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Bleachers 2000: Friday, September 15 - Bluefield Beavers (Away): Series: PC leads 8-7. This week's game is the final stop in a 3-game road trip for the Cougars. After reaching the title game in their division last year, the Beavers have started out 1-2 this season. I don't know about the quality of their opponents to date. It's possible they lost several key players to graduation. This team is always a headache to prepare for, since Bluefield uses many offensive sets. After last week's win over Salem, who had not lost since the 1997 playoffs, people are really starting to take notice of this team. Matt Gilliam's Ratings put us at No. 7 in the state this week. The Cougars have not lost since Frank Cobbs was moved to the fullback position against Cave Spring last year. It is not clear whether or not Jon Anderson, who did not play against Salem due to a shoulder injury, will be available this week. This stat is an impressive one: Average score before the Cougar opponent scores this year: 35-0. Week Three Review - Salem Spartans (Away): The Cougars went on the road, and ended the 29-game winning streak of the two-time defending Division 4 Champs. TB Josh Calfee had an excellent game, gaining 128 yards on 19 carries (giving him over 300 yards for the year, moving him just past Kevin Hendricks up to No. 5 on the all-time Cougar list behind Craig Hodge), but the star of the night was FB Frank Cobbs, who punished the Spartans all game with runs right up the gut. The workhorse (he carried the ball 34 times) sped past linemen (who were often on their heels, thanks to superb blocking by the offensive line), linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties. When unable to break free, he simply plowed ahead for good yardage. The numbers for Cobbs (295 rushing yards, smashing the record held by Kwasi Scott vs. Cave Spring in 1998; and 5 rushing TDs, tying Hodge vs. William Fleming in 1996 and Scott vs. Cave Spring in 1998) were staggering. Seeing him run in the open field reminded me a little of Hodge. Some running backs break longer runs, and have a higher average per carry when reaching heights like 300 yards a game. What Cobbs did is, in some ways, more impressive. When you carry the ball as often as he did, you get hit a *lot*! He took the punishment without losing effectiveness, still gaining nearly 9 yards everytime he touched the ball. He also plays defense, adding to the stamina factor. PC drove 58, 58, 58, 80, and 85 yards for scores. Unlike the previous two encounters with Salem, the defense and the special teams both played very well. No easy off tackle plays and sweeps this year. No outrageous punt or kickoff returns. It was a great game, a clash of titans. This was a quality contest, through and through. It had the atmosphere of a title game. Salem played a focused, alert, intelligent game. The Spartans were mostly penalty-free. They did not win 29 games in a row, including 2 State Championships, for nothing. They can be proud. But: The Cougars were a bit more focused. A bit more accurate. A bit better. The game plan was as simple as can be. There was no passing. Wheeling had only a few carries, and a couple of those were because of busted plays on the opening possession. It was Cobbs and Calfee. No criss-cross plays. It was Wheeling handing off to either Cobbs, or Calfee. Execution. Teamwork. The offensive line dominated, blowing open holes for Cobbs and Calfee all evening. Number of turnovers: 0. Number of offensive penalites: 0. None. Zip. Zilch. The players did not jump offside. They did not go in forward motion before the snap. They did not hold. In fact, the only Cougar penalty all night was a controversial defensive pass interference call. They played heads up, eyes-on-the-prize, determined, dedicated, disciplined power football. That's Cougar Football. |
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