Football Friday

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

Even though the Rural Retreat Middle School football team lost a close game to Glenvar Thursday night, the team has already assured itself of having an excellent season.
Glenvar defeated RRMS 42-35, but that was only the second loss of the season for the Indians.
Comprised of seventh and eighth graders, the team now has a 6-2 record going into its final contest this coming Monday at George Wythe.
The team is coached by Rick Boyd and Johnny Dix. Boyd has been coaching the team for the past 11 years. Dix has also been coaching the team during that span as well as “off and on for 17 years,” he said.
Boyd normally takes care of the defense while Dix works with the offense. Boyd said one reason why the team is doing so well is that “we have everyone back from last year.”
The team is able to run the ball as well as throw it, continued Boyd. “We have a good offensive line.” And the defense more than does its part. “We probably have one of the best defensive teams that we’ve had in a long time,” he said.
Overall, Boyd said the team ranks as one of the top two since he’s been there. He recalled a team a few years ago that was also excellent. Among the players on that squad were Wyatte Pickett, David Harrison and Justin Stoneman, who are now standout seniors on this year’s varsity team.
Boyd said that other than the team’s loss to Galax and Glenvar, the team has given up only one touchdown with its starting defensive squad.
And the offense has been productive. “We’ve been averaging about 30 points every game,” said Boyd.
One of the team’s highest scoring efforts turned out to be in its only loss so far. Galax won the game 48-42.
RRMS started the season off with a 26-6 win over Fort Chiswell. Then it knocked off Chilhowie 30-6 and Patrick Henry 48-20 before its loss to Galax. Then the Indians got back on track by defeating Holston 31-0, Grayson County 32-6, and Northwood 48-26 before running into a tough Glenvar team.
Dix agreed that a prime reason for the team’s success was the return of last year’s seventh graders. “We have a lot of experience, a lot of good eighth graders,” he said.
Dix agreed with Boyd in that the offensive line blocked well. “They did an outstanding job all year,” he said.
Playing on the offensive line are Hunter Lowe at center, Dillon Crigger and Ryan Justus at the guard position and Caleb Whalen and Jacob Lawson at tackles. Also seventh grader Garrett Hafley fills in wherever he is needed on the line.
The quarterback is Zayne Williams and the main running back is Travis Anderson.
On the defensive side, the ends were Hunter Lowe and Dillon Crigger. “We call them our bookends,” said Dix. The linebackers are Travis Anderson, Zayne Williams and Lucas Langston.