The Beaver Voice - Football

Beavers Hold On Against Oak Hill
Posted on 11/7/12
Article by Jeff Brannon

The Bluefield Beavers (7-1) played host to the #10 ranked AAA team in West Virginia, the Oak Hill Red Devils (5-3) on Friday night at Mitchell Stadium, a venue that has been extremely friendly to the Beavers in their past 6 home games, which helped them edge off the explosive Red Devils in a last second thriller that had every fan in Mitchell Stadium on both sides on their feet for a seemingly impossible finish.
Bluefield, since the start of the season, has seen virtually no resistance whatsoever in their run game from opposing defenses. With tailbacks like Montel Leggett, who just exceeded the 1,000 yard mark on the season, Johnny David, and D.J. Stewart, it becomes very difficult, very quickly to stop these fast guys. However, things were about to unexpectedly change for Bluefield’s heavy run-first offensive scheme Friday night against Oak Hill; their defense came to play, and play with heart and one goal on their mind: shut down Bluefield’s elusive runners.
The Beavers won the pre-game coin toss, and head coach Fred Simon elected to kick to Oak Hill, thus giving Bluefield the ball to start the third quarter; a decision that ended up being bigger than the Beavers’ Fred Simon and Co. could’ve imagined. Mariotti, the senior kicker for Bluefield, bombed the pigskin down the field to Oak Hill, and they were ready to start on offense, and a fast start it was indeed. Oak Hill relied heavily on their all-star running-back, Jalen Jones, a threat that has forced high school defensive coordinators across the state to nearly want to quit their jobs because of his powerful and mind-blowing running abilities. Unfortunately for Bluefield, Jones got off to an early start that until the final whistle of the game was blown, never ceased. Not once, for one second, did Jones stop churning his legs, which happened on the Red Devils’ opening possession, when Jones, in the backfield for Oak Hill, took the hand-off and scampered 40 big ones down the open Bluefield secondary, which had blown the coverage because of Jones’ speed, and glided through the Bluefield end zone, quickly drawing first blood. However, it just so happens to be that Jones doubles as Oak Hill’s kicker, and he missed the extra point following the big touchdown run, giving Oak Hill only a 6-0 lead over the already stunned Bluefield Beavers.
Now it was time for Bluefield to answer Oak Hill’s strike. Even though Montel Leggett finished the game with 146 yards on the ground, they were tough, hard-fought yards to say the least; to give Oak Hill credit where due, their linebackers and secondary did a pretty efficient job minimalizing Leggett’s big plays early. However, he broke it open in the second and third quarter. Bluefield scored their first points of the game on a 1-yard David Edwards quarterback keeper, and Mariotti drilled the kick, giving Bluefield a narrow 7-6 lead; a lead that disappeared very quickly. On the ensuing Oak Hill possession, the Red Devils ran what most call a “trick play”. Instead of the quarterback throwing it, the QB pitched the ball to the running-back, who threw the ball to Larry Palmer, an Oak Hill receiver, downfield for a 69-yard, running-back-to-receiver hook-up for a Red Devil touchdown. They converted on a two-point attempt and took a 14-7 lead over Bluefield. It was evident at this point that the final result of this contest was going to be based on two important factors: One, which team could score more points, and two, which team could have possession of the ball to end the game, which could very well come down to need of points to win the game. Bluefield answered the touchdown “trick” play with a 68-yard D.J. Stewart touchdown run, and Mariotti’s kick tied things up at 14-all to end the first quarter of action, and a good first one it was.
The second quarter welcomed more scoring from both sides, which started on a deep-ball pass from Bluefield’s David Edwards to receiver Justin Carter in the end zone on a 31-yard unbelievable catch that originally was thought to have been intercepted by Oak Hill, and at the very least tipped, which it was; right into the gloves of Carter. The score brought amazement to the crowd at Mitchell Stadium, and Bluefield, for the first time, had a seven-point lead, after Mariotti’s extra point made the score 21-14.
After six more additional lead changes and 8 more touchdowns split between Oak Hill and Bluefield, the game was deep into the fourth quarter, and it was the first fourth quarter of the season where Bluefield found themselves in a critical situation to pull out the win. With less than four minutes left in regulation, Bluefield took a late 48-44 lead after a 3-yard D.J. Stewart touchdown run. However, once again, Oak Hill found answers, and wasn’t about to give up at the end, when it mattered the most. The guy who had engineered a touchdown in each of the previous three quarters found a way to make it happen again; Jalen Jones drove his team down and punched in another touchdown in the Beaver end zone, this time a 2-yard scramble across the goal line, and the Red Devils took a 50-48 lead after a missed two-point conversion attempt, a stop by Bluefield that ultimately helped lead them to victory. Bluefield knew it came down to one last possession to even have a chance to win the game, and needed only a field goal to do so. They were ready to put the ball into the hands of David Edwards and the speedy Bluefield tailbacks, and hope for what would hopefully end in a game winning field goal or touchdown drive; Bluefield did just that. They had a full complement of timeouts, so time wasn’t an important factor, at least not at the start of the drive, but Bluefield knew they had no time to waste, and they would have to huddle quickly and get to the line and go. Oak Hill began to break down in their fundamentals and play rough, smash-mouth football, which resulted in several personal foul penalties, which Oak Hill, at the time, must have forgotten are worth 15 yards a bang; crucial free yardage for Bluefield. After being awarded a few more of those long penalties, Bluefield was in a position to kill the clock and potentially win the football game. However, if they knew in advance that they wanted to set up Justin Mariotti for the game-winning field goal, they wanted to get the ball as close as possible, and as center as possible to make it as easy for Mariotti as possible; that’s exactly what they did. Edwards handed the ball off a few times, and more or less urged his runners not to force anything risky; protecting the football was the top priority, a fumble would’ve given Oak Hill the victory.
It was time. Head coach Fred Simon called on Justin Mariotti and the field goal special teams unit to go finish this game, and put the Oak Hill Red Devils in their grave. Oak Hill head coach Eddie Souk called a pair of consecutive timeouts to “freeze” Mariotti, and extend the time of the kick, and put even more pressure on Bluefield. It’s hard to imagine the thoughts that were coursing through Justin Mariotti’s head prior to kicking the ball. However, he did a fine job of retaining composure, and knew he had one job and one job only; win the game for the Beavers. The noise and anticipation that filled Mitchell Stadium in the final seconds of the game was overwhelming. The fans were still in utter shock and amazement from the game they had been a part of since the opening kick-off that night. The referees blew the play live, and the field goal unit lined up for the play. Justin Mariotti walked back to prepare for the kick, and knew he had one chance to win, and one chance to lose. The snap came out, David Edwards held it, and Mariotti slid it through the uprights, igniting a massive roar from the home Beaver fans at Mitchell Stadium. He did it. Mariotti won the nail-biting slugfest that Bluefield had been a part of, and in fact rallied back from a 36-28 halftime score deficit to win 51-50 in the thrilling, unpredictable 41st official game between the Bluefield Beavers and Oak Hill Red Devils. The Beavers travel to Lindside, WV this Friday, October 26, 2012, to take on the James Monroe Mavericks in their second road game of the season. Good Luck boys!

Beavers Quiet Latin Hawks
Posted on 11/7/12
Article by Jeff Brannon

It was certainly a Friday night filled with a series of unexpected events, as the Bluefield Beavers played host to the explosive visiting Charlotte Latin Hawks, from Charlotte, NC. For the past four years, none of the Beaver rosters have been able to defeat either of the two teams they have played from Charlotte; the other being Charlotte Country Day, who was dropped from Bluefield’s schedule. However, the young and talented 2012 Bluefield Beaver team had other thoughts about the game. The clock struck 7:30, which meant kick-off was here. The Beavers won the toss, but deferred to the second half so they could receive the ball to start the third quarter. Justin Mariotti lined up to kick for Bluefield as Charlotte sent out Christian Mackey to receive Mariotti’s kick, which he took at the eight yard-line. The life was quickly sucked out of the Beaver sideline, as Mackey caught the edge of the sideline, not hesitating for a second to return the kick 92 yards for a Latin Hawks’ touchdown. However, this was no challenge for the Beaver’s high power run offense, led by junior running-back Montel Leggett, who has been starting in the backfield for Bluefield since his entrance as a freshman. Bluefield was eager to get the ball to at least dig into their early 7-0 deficit with a field goal, but as Ben Scott of Latin kicked the ball to Bluefield, the Beaver’s return team had a fundamental breakdown and lost control of the football where Latin quickly picked it up at the Bluefield 28 yard-line. Already with early momentum, Latin was ready to go on offense, driving down to the Bluefield 16 yard-line, before Bluefield’s defense made a play. Justin Carter stepped in front of a Daniel Jones pass and intercepted it, giving Bluefield seemingly new life. This time, not only did the Beavers hold on to the ball, they powered it right across the goal line, starting with a 20 yard chunk run by Leggett, followed by 23 more big ones by D.J. Stewart. On the ensuing play after the Stewart burst, Edwards, the quarterback for Beaver, called his own number for a 33 yard touchdown score, which seemed effortless by Bluefield. An important extra point was made by Mariotti which knotted the game up at 7-7. However, on their ensuing offensive possession, Latin was ready to go back to work, and perhaps avoid a turnover this go-around. Daniel Jones recovered very well from his mistake earlier, which cost them 7 points, by engineering an 11-play, 76 yard drive, which ended with a touchdown for Charlotte; the Beavers again trailed by 7. However, another special team’s breakdown occurred on the field, this time for Latin. Ben Scott’s kick was taken at the 15 yard line by D.J. Stewart, who already had the big run, and was returned 85 yards for a Beaver touchdown. Suddenly, the game was locked at 14-14. The Beavers went on to play an offensive showcase that nobody in Mitchell Stadium could’ve predicted, not even Bluefield head coach Fred Simon. Daniel Jones of Latin continued to make misreads in the Bluefield secondary, and got intercepted two times alone by Johnny David. “In any tough game you play, you’ve got to have turnovers,” Fred Simon said. “We rose to the occasion tonight.” The Beavers certainly did rise to all of the challenges they faced walking into this matchup, a matchup that they were clearly supposed to have lost. The relentless run offense of the Beavers quickly fatigued the Charlotte Latin defense, not only from Leggett, but also D.J. Stewart, Johnny David, Shadeed Fitzgerald, and Corey Coppola, which all combined for a total of 50 rushes for 408 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. It was an awesome offensive effort; an effort that would aid the Beavers to a 61-36 victory over the previously undefeated Charlotte Latin Hawks, moving their young 2012 season team record to 3-1. They will next host the Gate City Blue Devils on September 28, 2012 at Mitchell Stadium. We hope to see you there! Go Beavers!

Beavers Take Victory Over Raiders
Posted on 11/7/12
Article by Jeff Brannon

It was a Friday night filled wit a lot of meaning and tradition at Mitchell Stadium as the red-hot Bluefield Beavers played host to the Riverview Raiders on the Beavers Homecoming night. Many former Bluefield Beavers returned to the stadium Friday night to be honored as proud alumni, and also to watch their old team in action on the turf against a very hungry Riverview squad. The clock hit 7:30 as the captains for both teams convened at midfield for the coin toss; Bluefield won and deferred to the second half, a situation that has been costly for Bluefield the past two consecutive weeks. However, Bluefield’s kick-off coverage team finished the job this time, and did not surrender a touchdown to start the game on the kick, which had occurred at the past two games versus Princeton and Charlotte Latin. That meant that Austin Walker, the quarterback for Riverview, would lead his eager offense on the field; Bluefield’s defense was also ready to make their presence felt, which has been accomplished all season, and it didn’t take long in this contest, either. In fact, it only took 5 snaps of offense for David Woodrum, the starting left corner for Bluefield, to intercept an Austin Walker pass and return it 25 yards into the Bluefield end zone for a touchdown, which made it 7-0 with Mariotti’s extra point. “He just threw it up and it was a duck so I just went and got it,” said Woodrum on his first interception. On the ensuing Riverview possession, the Raiders were driving close to Beaver territory until they got to fourth down, and the Riverview head coach elected to go for it, which ultimately backfired when Austin Walker, who had already thrown up the pick-six, dropped back to pass but was brought down by a Beaver linebacker; Bluefield took over at that spot. Following the failed fourth-down play by Riverview, Bluefield quarterback David Edwards and his hot offense was ready to take the field with very good starting field position, already on the Raiders side of the field; they wasted no time. The drive started with a hand-off Johnny David, one of Bluefield’s many explosive runners, and took it from the Raider 41-yard line down to the 1-yard line, inches short of a Beaver touchdown. On the very next play, David Edwards gave the ball to Montel Leggett, Bluefield’s premier tailback, who finished the deal from Johnny David long run, and barreled his way across the goal line and into the end zone, taking a pile of Riverview defenders with him. Mariotti made the kick, and Bluefield had an early 14-0 first quarter advantage over Riverview.
The Raiders continued to struggle offensively. After the short two-play scoring drive by Bluefield, the Raiders got the ball back, but had to boot it right back to the Beavers, as they failed find their rhythm. However, on the other sideline, the Beavers clicked on offense seemingly all night long. On the possession following the Riverview punt, the Beavers drove 62 yards in 7 plays and found pay-dirt once again on a hand-off to D.J. Stewart, another one of Bluefield’s many go-to weapons to choose from. The score was good, along with Mariotti’s third extra point, and Bluefield was sitting in a comfortable 21-0 lead over their frustrated opponents. However, on their next possession, the Raiders finally lit up their side of the score board with a two-yard jog across the goal line by Jordan Wilson, who was the main guy on that particular drive, running for a long 30 yards, catching a 30 yard pass from Austin Walker, and then the touchdown run. Riverview chose to go for the two-point conversion to close the gap, but the Beaver defense held up, and the score stood 21-6.
The first quarter was a fantastic display of offense for Bluefield, and it only got better in the second quarter, as they added three more touchdowns to extend their commanding lead. The first came on a 35-yard breakaway by Bluefield junior running-back Shadeed Fitzgerald all the way to the house, making the score 28-6. Next came more trouble for Riverview quarterback Austin Walker. The Raiders moved the ball all the way down to the Bluefield 34 yard-line when David Woodrum denied another pass from Walker, intercepting it at the Beaver 20, and returning it a long 80 yards, following blockers and missing tackles, not resisting one bit until he reached the end zone, giving the senior corner his second interception returned for a touchdown in one game. “I didn’t think I was going to return it, but they just blocked for me, I got down field and into the end zone,” commented Woodrum on his very impressive second interception for a touchdown on the night. What a night by David Woodrum on defense for Bluefield, which helped the Beavers to a fourth straight victory, and improving their overall season record to 5-1. Bluefield finished with an impressive 289 yards on the ground on 35 hand-offs which went to 12 different runners, just to re-emphasize how elusive and confusing Bluefield’s offense can be for opposing defenses and coaches.

Bluefield JV vs. Riverview
Pictures by Aaron Miller

Jocelyn Simon enjoying some quality time with her ‘No-No’ while watching the JV football game.

Mrs. Miller selling tickets at a JV football game vs Riverview Raiders.

Bluefield vs. Westside
Posted on 10/19/12
Article by Aaron Miller

Bluefield’s first road trip started off not very well, as the Renegades were the first to strike. Westside running back Mike Mullens received a handoff from Justin Cogar, Westside quarterback for 65 yards and a touchdown. Justin Cogar decided to keep the ball himself as Westside decided to go for the two point conversion which was successful.

The Bluefield Beavers answered very quickly with a touchdown on their first drive. The Beavers drove 65 yards in seven plays ending the drive with a 35 yard touchdown run from Jonny David. The Beavers sent Justin Mariotti on the field for the extra point and he kicked the ball through the middle of the uprights. The Renegades’ next drive was stopped short and on came the kicking for Westside. The Beavers’ next score was on a 40 yard run by D.J. Stewart. The Renegades offense was becoming monotonous because the Beavers’ defense was a huge wall, not giving Westside any room to produce any type of score. It seemed every time the Renegades’ offense was on the field they were stopped. Westside wouldn’t find the end zone again until the fourth quarter. This was almost the complete opposite for the Beavers. The Beavers found the end zone six more times during the game, scoring fourteen points in the second quarter, six points in the third, and six more points in the fourth. The Beavers came out on top in this one with a score of 54-14.

Gate City!
Pictures by Jack Burton

Beavers vs. Spartans
Posted on 9/24/12
Article by Aaron Miller

Mitchell Stadium was the location of Coach Simons’ 200th win Friday night on September 14, 2012. The Beaver’s defense really stepped their game up last Friday night, as they held Greenbrier East to 250 total yards and only 19 points.

Early in the game it appeared the Simons’ 200th win would have to come at a later date. As Bluefield started the game with a three-and-out and gave the ball to the Spartans, Greenbrier East capitalized on the opportunity with a nine play 52 yard drive. East made a seven yard play to end the drive and made the extra point to be first on the board, making the score 7-0. Bluefield’s next drive ended short once again after five plays. East picked up right where they left off as they scored on a 76 yard scoring play, posting up 6 more points. The extra point was missed making the score 13-0.

Bluefield’s first score came early in the second quarter as DJ Edwards ran his way right into the end zone from 35 yards making the score 13-7. The running game was really working for the Beavers as the next score came from the running back, Leggett from 30 more yards.

The Spartans wouldn’t score again until the fourth quarter. The Beavers scored 14 points in the first, 28 points in the third, and 13 in the fourth, for a total of 54 points. The Spartans scored 13 points the first, and 6 points in the fourth, for a total of 19 points

Beavers Defeat the Tigers
Posted on 9/6/12
Article by Aaron Miller

Bluefield lost the coin toss and Princeton was ready to receive the kick off. To the Tigers’ surprise the opening kick off was an onside kick and the Beavers came out on top and began their drive down the field. Bluefield was the first to strike, posting 6 points on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Justin Marriotti missed the first extra point. The Beavers closed the first quarter with 28 points to Princeton’s 14 points. The Beavers’ defense stepped up a notch in the second quarter halting the Tigers, allowing no score. The Beavers’ found a hole in the Tigers’ defense coming up with an easy 7. At the end of the second quarter the Beavers came out on top 35 to 14.
The second half was the Tigers’ time to show up and so they did, scoring 30 total points in the second half to the Beavers 17. Bluefield received the opening kick off for the second half and scored a quick 7. The Tigers replied with another touchdown, narrowing the score to 42 to 21 making it a three possession game. In the fourth quarter the Tigers make a valiant effort to make a comeback. However, the 16 points scored for the Tigers in the fourth quarter was not enough to pass the Beavers.
Bluefield came out on top last week against the Princeton Tigers with a final score of 52-44. The Beavers will host the Greenbrier East Spartans next week, Friday September 14, 2012.

Beavers Lose to the G-Men
Posted on 9/6/12
Article by Michael Goforth

To open the new season on August 24, the Bluefield Beavers looked to come out with a win. However, the Graham G-Men looked to bump their losing streak. I am sorry to say, they succeeded, ending the game with a hard fought 23 – 21, two point victory against their old rival.
At the end of the first half the score was close, 7-2 Beavers, both teams playing a very defensive game. The Beavers came out hot and stuck a quick touchdown on the scoreboard. But, soon focus faded and a major mistake was made on a muffed punt, where the Beavers allowed the G-Men to score an easy two.
During the second half, Bluefield scored another touchdown making the score 14-2. This didn’t discourage Graham; they were determined to win this game and they came up with an answer with a few runs to the end zone, eventually taking the lead from Bluefield. For the rest of the game, Bluefield was left playing catch up. However, even with the unexpected loss, Beaver pride and determination will continue to dominate.

BLUEFIELD Senior Football Schedule Events
1	08/24/12 07:30PM	A	GRAHAM,VA H.S.	21	-	23	L
2	08/31/12 07:30PM	H	PRINCETON	52	-	44	W
3	09/07/12 07:30PM	H	OPEN		-
4	09/14/12 07:30PM	H	GREENBRIER EAST	54	-	19	W
5	09/21/12 07:30PM	H	CHARLOTTE LATIN, NC H.S.	61	-	37	W
6	09/28/12 07:30PM	H	GATE CITY ,VA H.S.	63	-	21	W
7	10/05/12 07:30PM	H	RIVER VIEW	49	-	12	W
8	10/12/12 07:30PM	A	WESTSIDE	54	-	14	W
9	10/19/12 07:30PM	H	OAK HILL	51	-	50	W
10	10/26/12 07:30PM	A	JAMES MONROE	63	-	14	W
11	11/02/12 07:30PM	A	WAYNE	14	-	45	L
12	11/09/12 07:30PM	H	ROANE COUNTY	63	-	27	W
13	11/16/12 07:30PM	A	ROBERT C. BYRD		-
wins: 9 lost: 2 ties: 0