By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

The Fort Chiswell Pioneers won the Mountain Empire District championship Friday night at Grayson County in convincing fashion. The Pioneers scored on each of their five possessions in the first half and their first two in the second to pummel the Blue Devils 45-7.
The two teams came into the last game of the regular season tied in the MED with 3-0 records, with the winning team earning the championship.
Fort Chiswell had already qualified for the regionals for the first time since 1990, and the Pioneers left no doubts that they deserve the MED title as well. FC improved to 9-1 overall and will host a Region C, Division 2 first round game this Friday against James River. Game time has been set for 7 p.m.
Fort Chiswell Head Coach Stephen James said he was a little worried coming into the game because his team had an open date the week before. “I was afraid the team might come out a little flat, but they came out fast,” he said.
The coach added that he was “extremely proud of the kids,” and also expressed his appreciation to the administration, parents and fans for all their support.
Wythe County School Superintendent Lee Brannon presented the team with the district championship trophy after the game.
The Pioneers were led in rushing by Chris Rodriguez who had 159 yards on 29 carries (5.5 avg.). Hody Viars also did well with 84 yards on eight carries (10.5 avg.).
It was a chilly night (in the 40s), but the Pioneers kept warm with a blazing running game. Overall, FC put together nearly 450 yards of total offense
The Blue Devils gained just three yards on the game’s first possession before punting away.
The Pioneers began their opening possession on their own 25-yard line and used their ground game to steadily move downfield. FC used nearly seven minutes on the drive that was capped off with a three-yard run by Rodriguez. Casey Underwood kicked the PAT to put GW up 7-0 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.
The Pioneers got the ball back almost immediately on a Grayson fumble and went back on the attack. Rodriguez did the honors again with a seven yard TD run. The PAT kick by Underwood made it 14-0 with 59 seconds left in the first.
The FC defense did its job again by forcing a quick Devil punt as the first quarter came to a close. The Pioneer took about four minutes off the clock when quarterback Will Freeman kept the ball and sped up the middle for a 32-yard TD run. Underwood’s PAT kick made it 21-0 with 7:13 left in the half.
The Blue Devils finally got their offense going on their fourth possession of the game and capped it off with a nine-yard TD run by Omar Larreta with 3:29 left. The PAT kick cut the FC margin to 21-7.
The Pioneers responded with another scoring drive, again topped off on a four-yard run by Rodriquez and a kick by Underwood to make it 28-7 with only 30 seconds left in the half.
That was still plenty of time, however, for another FC score. The Pioneers recovered an onsides kick and took over just past midfield. Freeman completed passes to Michael Dunford and Viars to move to the GC 16.
The Pioneers lined up for a 33-yard field goal attempt but were able to draw the Devils offsides to give Underwood an attempt from 28 yards. His kick was true as the Pioneers took a 31-7 lead at halftime.
Fort Chiswell didn’t waste any time to begin the second half with Viars running 47 yards to pay dirt to make it 38-7 after Underwood’s kick with 11:14 left in the third quarter.
The FC defense allowed the Devils to pick up one first down on their first possession of the second half and then took over on downs.
Zack Cook had the best run for FC on this series, which was culminated on a seven-yard scamper by Rodriguez to make it 45-7 with 6:14 left in the third quarter.
With the 35-point plus difference, a continuous clock mercifully went into effect.
The Pioneers took over on downs late in the third quarter, but had to punt (for the only time in the game) early in the fourth. The Blue Devils threatened later in the quarter, but FC’s second string defense was able to prevent any more scoring.

Fort Chiswell 14 17 14 0 – 45
Grayson Cty 0 7 0 0 – 7

Scoring:
FC – Rodriguez 3 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Rodriguez 7 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Freeman 32 run (Underwood kick)
GC – Larreta 9 run (Ruiz kick)
FC – Rodriguez 4 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Underwood 28 FG
FC – Viars 47 run (Underwood kick)
FC Rodriguez 7 run (Underwood kick)
(T – 2:07)

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

The Fort Chiswell Pioneers won the Mountain Empire District championship Friday night at Grayson County in convincing fashion. The Pioneers scored on each of their five possessions in the first half and their first two in the second to pummel the Blue Devils 45-7.
The two teams came into the last game of the regular season tied in the MED with 3-0 records, with the winning team earning the championship.
Fort Chiswell had already qualified for the regionals for the first time since 1990, and the Pioneers left no doubts that they deserve the MED title as well. FC improved to 9-1 overall and will host a Region C, Division 2 first round game this Friday against James River. Game time has been set for 7 p.m.
Fort Chiswell Head Coach Stephen James said he was a little worried coming into the game because his team had an open date the week before. “I was afraid the team might come out a little flat, but they came out fast,” he said.
The coach added that he was “extremely proud of the kids,” and also expressed his appreciation to the administration, parents and fans for all their support.
Wythe County School Superintendent Lee Brannon presented the team with the district championship trophy after the game.
The Pioneers were led in rushing by Chris Rodriguez who had 159 yards on 29 carries (5.5 avg.). Hody Viars also did well with 84 yards on eight carries (10.5 avg.).
It was a chilly night (in the 40s), but the Pioneers kept warm with a blazing running game. Overall, FC put together nearly 450 yards of total offense
The Blue Devils gained just three yards on the game’s first possession before punting away.
The Pioneers began their opening possession on their own 25-yard line and used their ground game to steadily move downfield. FC used nearly seven minutes on the drive that was capped off with a three-yard run by Rodriguez. Casey Underwood kicked the PAT to put GW up 7-0 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.
The Pioneers got the ball back almost immediately on a Grayson fumble and went back on the attack. Rodriguez did the honors again with a seven yard TD run. The PAT kick by Underwood made it 14-0 with 59 seconds left in the first.
The FC defense did its job again by forcing a quick Devil punt as the first quarter came to a close. The Pioneer took about four minutes off the clock when quarterback Will Freeman kept the ball and sped up the middle for a 32-yard TD run. Underwood’s PAT kick made it 21-0 with 7:13 left in the half.
The Blue Devils finally got their offense going on their fourth possession of the game and capped it off with a nine-yard TD run by Omar Larreta with 3:29 left. The PAT kick cut the FC margin to 21-7.
The Pioneers responded with another scoring drive, again topped off on a four-yard run by Rodriquez and a kick by Underwood to make it 28-7 with only 30 seconds left in the half.
That was still plenty of time, however, for another FC score. The Pioneers recovered an onsides kick and took over just past midfield. Freeman completed passes to Michael Dunford and Viars to move to the GC 16.
The Pioneers lined up for a 33-yard field goal attempt but were able to draw the Devils offsides to give Underwood an attempt from 28 yards. His kick was true as the Pioneers took a 31-7 lead at halftime.
Fort Chiswell didn’t waste any time to begin the second half with Viars running 47 yards to pay dirt to make it 38-7 after Underwood’s kick with 11:14 left in the third quarter.
The FC defense allowed the Devils to pick up one first down on their first possession of the second half and then took over on downs.
Zack Cook had the best run for FC on this series, which was culminated on a seven-yard scamper by Rodriguez to make it 45-7 with 6:14 left in the third quarter.
With the 35-point plus difference, a continuous clock mercifully went into effect.
The Pioneers took over on downs late in the third quarter, but had to punt (for the only time in the game) early in the fourth. The Blue Devils threatened later in the quarter, but FC’s second string defense was able to prevent any more scoring.

Fort Chiswell 14 17 14 0 – 45
Grayson Cty 0 7 0 0 – 7

Scoring:
FC – Rodriguez 3 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Rodriguez 7 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Freeman 32 run (Underwood kick)
GC – Larreta 9 run (Ruiz kick)
FC – Rodriguez 4 run (Underwood kick)
FC – Underwood 28 FG
FC – Viars 47 run (Underwood kick)
FC Rodriguez 7 run (Underwood kick)
(T – 2:07)