Friday, November 20, 2009

Appomattox (8-2) at Clarke County (10-0)


By Jeff Nations -- jnations@nvdaily.com
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium, Berryville


Who to watch: Appomattox -- Kenny Scott, senior, QB (53-for-103 passing for 866 yards, seven TDs, 955 rushing yards); Joe Reed, junior, RB (827 yards, 12 TDs); Neal Thomas, senior, WR (21 catches, 502 yards, four TDs); Josh Wilson, sophomore, RB (190 yards, three TDs); M.J. Pennix, senior, MLB; Clarke County -- Sam Shiley, senior, RB/DB (1,675 yards, 33 TDs, three Ints); Zach Shiley, senior, QB/DB (36-for-52 passing for 720 yards, five TDs); Grant Shaw, junior, RB/DB (697 yards, nine TDs, 53 tackles); Jeremy Rhoads, senior, RB/LB (119 yards, two TDs, 156 tackles, five sacks); Caleb Hartsook, senior, TE/DE (70 tackles, two sacks).

When Clarke County football coach Chris Parker thinks of Appomattox, he just can't help that the school brings to mind one of his best football memories.

That came last year, when Parker's Eagles downed visiting Appomattox 27-19 for Clarke County's first playoff win since 1990 and the first-ever under Parker. It didn't come easy, and Parker expects it won't be any easier in Saturday's playoff rematch at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium in Berryville.

The matchup promises to be a treat for fans numbed by the ever-popular spread and wing-T offenses so prevalent in high school football. The Eagles run a single-wing attack that has positively devastated opposing defenses this season, while the Raiders employ their speed to run an option-based offense incorporating both mid-line and triple option elements.

Appomattox, the Dogwood District regular-season champion, is seeking its first playoff win since 1979.

The Eagles will again have their hands full in trying to contain Appomattox senior quarterback Kenny Scott, a capable passer (866 passing yards, seven TDs) and an explosive runner (955 rushing yards, 13 TDs). Scott, along with junior running back Joe Reed (827 rushing yards, 12 TDs), is the focus of the Raiders' offense.

"They have a lot of speed, they're very athletic, and they have playmakers," Parker said. "They can throw it, but that's not really what they want to do.

"Speed's their game. They'll run plays off-tackle, but if stuff's clogged up they'll bounce it outside."

Clarke County's offense hasn't been close to slowed this season, as senior running back Sam Shiley (1,675 rushing yards, 33 TDs) and twin brother Zach Shiley -- the Eagles' quarterback who has passed for 720 yards -- have developed into an unstoppable combination. Clarke County's single-wing has rolled up 3,478 rushing yards this season, despite an ever-shifting approach by opposing defenses.

"We see all kinds of stuff," Parker said. "[Appomattox has] been running an odd-front with a 3-5 or, when they bring in the outside backers, a 5-3 look. I would imagine we'll see a lot of people in the box."
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The Northern Virginia Daily - nvdaily.com -152 N. Holliday St., Strasburg, Va. 22657






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