The Southwest Virginia Sun presents
A preseason look at Smyth County Football blitz
Thirteen seniors anchor Chilhowie Warriors squad... page 2
A storm is brewing in Marion as Hurricanes head into the season... page 5
Northwood Panthers planning breakout season... page 8
August 2023
Chilhowie High School
Thirteen seniors anchor Warriors
By Stephanie ConnerThe yellow buses roar to life, marking the return of the fall school year.
War drums are readied in the Valley of Many Deer, meaning only one thing:
FOOTBALL HAS RETURNED TO CHILHOWIE VIRGINIA.
Under the steady hand of Coach Reid Sturgill, the Chilhowie High School Warriors will take to the field at Warrior Stadium to kick off the 2023 fall season on Aug. 25 against county rival, the Marion Scarlet Hurricanes.
Roster
Coach Sturgill is no newcomer to Chilhowie football, having played on this field himself. For the past seven years Reid has been the assistant coach at CHS, taking the helm as Head
Coach in April of this year. When injuries sidelined
this Chilhowie native in his senior year at Emory
& Henry, he refused to sit idly by and instead assisted the Chilhowie Middle School football program until he returned to Chilhowie as an educator and assistant coach.
You will also find him involved in Warrior Basketball and Baseball programs.
Aside from winning on the field, this Warrior program is committed to creating young men of integrity off the field as well.
With dedication throughout the off-season, the 2023 Warriors recognize the importance of Friday Night Lights to the Chilhowie
PAGE 2 Blitz 2023
community. 1 Landon Hall Sophomore 2 Noah Hill Junior 3 Jake Russell Junior 4 Justin Gonzalez Sophomore 6 Rylan Williams Junior 7 Ezra Taylor Senior 9 Marcos Silverio Senior 10 Asher Chapman Sophomore 11 Nolan Blevins Sophomore 12 Luke Mullinax Freshman 13 Drake Grinstead Junior 19 Daniel Hutton Senior 20 James Nash Senior 21 Brandon Miller Sophomore 22 Ian Sturgill Senior 23 Brax Lampkins Sophomore 25 Blake Robinson Sophomore 30 Garrett Dickison Freshman 31 Colton Gentry Sophomore 32 Elias Hall Freshman 33 Talan Poe Senior 34 J.T. Moore Junior 41 Kiptyn Davidson Freshman 42 Jordan Crisanto Senior 44 Gavin Walker Freshman 52 Ryan Haynes Freshman 53 Kainan Biller Freshman 54 Nate Hahn Junior 55 Cayden Castle Senior 56 Conner Castle Senior 57 Bryson Carter Senior 58 Ethan Walling Junior 59 Greg Fullen Senior 60 Bransen Gwinn Junior 61 Rilly Perkins Freshman 62 Harold Roland Freshman 64 Luke Montgomery Junior 65 Calvin Eller Freshman 66 Kylian Martin Junior 68 Michael Price Freshman 70 Preston Gollenhon Freshman 71 Marcus Conrath Freshman 74 Elgin Brooks Freshman 75 Aidan Broughman Sophomore 77 Bodie Miller Sophomore 79 Anthony Canales Freshman 80 Caleb Fullen Freshman 81 Martin Widener Junior 83 Damien Dixon Freshman 84 Drew Mabe Junior 86 Caden Schools Freshman 89 Gabe Rouse Freshman
See CHILHOWIE, Page 3
Chilhowie: Thirteen seniors anchor Warriors
Throughout the roster, from incoming Freshman to the Seniors in their final games, these kids are committed to giving it their all in the standard Chilhowie has come to expect from their boys of Fall.
Most of all having fun.
With changes to the teams in the Hogoheegee District, losing Lebanon and gaining Honaker, Coach is expecting Honaker to be a formidable opponent. This is not the only change for the 2023 squad as Chilhowie will be
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CHILHOWIE, Page 4
Chilhowie: Thirteen seniors anchor Warriors
From Page 4
debuting a new offensive team allowing numerous athletes to shine this season, and they are excited to get them on the field.
The Warriors present this program with 13 Seniors.
Focusing on the game in front of them, the Warriors are looking forward to the continued support of the community. In the words of Coach Sturgill
“In Chilhowie, football is more than a team sport, it is a community sport.”
The Warriors will be hosting five home games this season: Aug. 25, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Oct. 19 and Nov. 3
Chilhowie let us make sure to stand behind these hard-working young men and show them the support they deserve by packing the stands each week.
PAGE 4
Marion Senior High School
Canes ready to show strong
By Stephanie ConnerThere is a storm brewing on the horizon. The sky gives way to a piercing red. The wind picks up.
This can mean only one thing; FOOTBALL HAS RETURNED TO MARION.
Under the guidance of Coach John Ginn, the Marion Scarlett Hurricanes will take to the field at Warrior Stadium in Chilhowie to officially kick off their 2023 season on Aug. 25, against their county rival.
Coach Ginn is beginning his second tour with the Hurricanes. But he is no fresh face to football, stepping in with 32 years of experience with college football, Marion is ready to glean his
knowledge.
With winning at the forefront of fans' minds, coach is determined to show growth as a program.
He is committed to helping the players to grow as people, as students, and as athletes. The team will welcome wins as they come but knowing the emphasis is on having fun and growing as an individual allows the players the freedom to excel on the field.
The Marion Scarlett Hurricanes set their expectations as a group, and they worry about meeting those expectations rather than stressing about the outside parameters the community or
Blitzr 2023 PAGE 5
See MARION, Page 6
Marion: Hurricane warning
The
The
Roster
school
may want for them.
players hustle,
as early as 6:30 am and dedicating themselves to the program as a family, more than a team.
practicing
squad has developed a good relationship with the community. They provide community services throughout the year. In return, the community comes out and shows support to these young men throughout the season. If a player does start to show signs of stressing over the PAGE 6 Blitz 2023
Page 5 55 Gauge Allan Senior 11 Terrnace Armstrong Junior 18 Brayden Bowman Freshman 2 Colton Branson Junior 22 Kevin Cale Freshman 10 Ethan Campbell Senior 1 JB Carroll Senior 85 Austin Coe Senior 41 Colton Ferland Freshman 24 Benjamin Garrison Freshman 15 Dalton Hall Senior 78 Miles Harrington Senior 49 Preston Harrington Freshman 44 Colby Heath Junior 52 Connor Henderson Junior 32 Ethan Hylton Freshman 65 Zerrick Jarman Freshman 8 Daniel Lee Sophomore 62 Kyle Mabe Senior 23 Jalen Miller Junior 34 Jordan Miller Junior 77 Ryan Mullins Junior 4 Reid Osborne Senior 54 Slate Parnell Junior 60 Anthony Pasinato Junior 50 Cash Pruitt Junior 53 Jack Pugh Senior 56 Peyton Ratchliffe Freshman 30 Hunter Robinson Senior 58 Spencer Shaffer Freshman 40 Hughie Smith Freshman 13 Kendrick Smith Junior 3 Sean Stuart Junior 70 Kade Terry Junior 5 Levi Testerman Junior 63 Brent Tolbert Freshman 9 Brody Whitt Junior 66 Ethan Whitt Junior 64 Konner Whitt Freshman 6 Parker Wolfe Senior 84 Zeke Yarber Freshman Head Coach John Ginn
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Have a Great Season! See MARION, Page 7
To
team from your hometown bank
Marion:
From Page 6
communities expectations, coach is quick to remind them “Don’t put others in charge of your emotions”
Marion walks into this 2023 season with eleven seniors guiding the lower classmen. Senior Austin Coe is a shining star with the first FBS verbal commitment from Marion in over half a century. Coe will play for the Air Force next fall.
The Canes are eager to get on the field and provide some great football entertainment.
The Southwest District has no shortage of notable opponents for the Hurricanes.
They are ready to end Graham’s 30-game winning streak and shut down their run for back-to-back championship crowns.
Coach Ginn is confident
Blitz 2023 PAGE 7
See MARION, Page 11
Northwood High School
Panthers plan breakout
By Stephanie ConnerThe mountains are bluer, and the excitement can be felt in the air as school begins again. A low growl growing to a roar can only mean one thing, FOOTBALL HAS RETURNED TO SALTVILLE.
Under the wise direction of Coach Greg Prater, the Northwood High School Panthers take to the field at Panther Stadium to kick off the 2023 Fall season on Aug. 25,
against Twin Springs.
Coach Prater has been a fixture in Panther football for more than a decade and a half, starting as an assistant coach. Stepping in as Interim Head Coach twice gave no doubt that Coach Prater had what it took to take over the Panther program in 2022 as Head Coach. Beginning his coaching career where most players begin their football
PAGE 8 Blitz 2023
Photo by Windi Nutter
See NORTHWOOD, Page 9
Blitz 2023 PAGE 9 "The Best Reuben Sandwich in Southwest Virginia!” Virginia!” 811 East Main Street 276-496-9798 GoPanthers! Live Music on Saturday Nights
pilgrimage, Coach Prater coached Little League before becoming the head coach for the Middle School for Northwood: Big promise From Page 8 See NORTHWOOD, Page 10
Photo by Windi Nutter
Northwood:
two years.
Aside from winning on the field, this Panther program is committed to improving each week. Growing together as a team. Northwood High School has a 24-hour Cool Down program that allows fans, family, and players the opportunity to reach out if they feel stress or question the events of a game where those concerns can be discussed face to face.
With the community’s expectations potentially leading to stress for the players, Coach Prater is quick to remind them that they have one job, play four quarters of football consistently; and do not forget to have fun.
If the team works together and does not lose focus that football is supposed to be fun, then good things will happen.
The 2023 squad has exciting potential for a breakout season. With five Seniors leading the way for the younger classmen Northwood is posed to have an outstanding year on the field.
With the Hogoheegee District change up, gaining Honaker, the fans are guaranteed to have an exciting year of football. This change to the schedule is not the only change for the Panthers, this season Assistant Coach Mark Palmer joins the program moving over from Patrick Henry.
Be on the lookout Hogoheegee, there are Panthers on the prowl!!
The Panthers will be hosting five home games this season.
August 25, September 1, September 15, September 22, and November 3
With this Panther team being a fresh squad, community support is as crucial to its success as the plays on the field. Saltville it is time to show up and show out for the Boys of Fall 2023!!!
SwVa Sun
Contact Us
We are published online daily at www.SwvaSun.com and every two months in newspaper form. To reach us, email chawkins@swvamedia. com.
P.O. Box 1003
Wytheville VA 24382
Phone: (276) 200-4137
We welcome all your news. If you have something to share, shoot us an email at SwvaSun@gmail.com
PAGE 10 Blitz 2023
Page 9
From
Eli Williams, quarterback for Northwood High School.
Serving
News Get it in
Southwest Virginia.
Football
Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. vs. Twin Springs Home
Sept. 1 – 7 p.m. vs. Rye Cove Home
Sept. 8 – 7 p.m. at Eastern Montgomery
Sept. 15 – 7 p.m. vs. Twin Valley
Sept. 22 – 7 p.m. vs. Chilhowie
Sept. 29 – 7 p.m. at Castlewood
Oct. 13 – 7 p.m. at Holston
Oct. 20 – 7 p.m. at Rural Retreat
Oct. 27 – 7 p.m. at Honaker
Nov. 3 – 7 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry
Golf
Monday, Aug. 21 – 4:30 p.m. at Holston
Northwood Roster
Fall Schedule Northwood
Hills Country Club
Thursday, Aug. 31 – 4 p.m. at Holston
Hills Country Club
Tuesday, Sept. 5 – 4:30 p.m at Wytheville
Golf Club
Thursday, Sept. 14 – 4 p.m. at Tazewell
Country Club
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – 4 p.m. at Holston
Hills Country Club
Volleyball
Tuesday, Aug. 22 – 7 p.m. vs. Lebanon High
Wednesday, Aug. 23 – 7 p.m. at Marion
Senior High
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Tournament at Virginia High
Monday, Aug. 28 – 7 p.m. vs. Marion Senior
Wednesday, Aug. 30 – 7 p.m. at J.I. Burton High
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Tournament at Patrick Henry High
Wednesday, Sept. 6 – 7 p.m. vs. J.I. Burton
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – 7 p.m. at Lebanon High
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – 7 p.m. vs. Chilhowie
Thursday, Sept. 21 – 7 p.m. at Rural Re-
treat High
Tuesday, Sept. 26 – 7 p.m. vs. Holston
Thursday, Sept. 28 – 7 p.m. at Honaker High
Tuesday, Oct. 3 – 7 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry
Thursday, Oct. 5 – 7 p.m. at Chilhowie High
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – 7 p.m. vs. Rural Retreat
Thursday, Oct. 12 – 7 p.m. at Holston High
Tuesday, Oct. 17 – 7 p.m. vs. Honaker
Thursday, Oct. 19 – 7 p.m. at Patrick Henry High
Marion: Hurricane warning
From Page 7
the boys are up to the task and ready to show off their talent. He is focused on one match-up at a time and that means all attention is on Warrior Stadium. Make sure those weather alerts are activated Chilhowie, cause a Hurricane is on its way!!!
Marion will be hosting five home games for the 2023 season. Sept. 1, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27
It can not be stressed enough that community support is vital to the success of the football program, so Marion let us make sure to stand behind these hard-working young men and show them the support they deserve by packing the stands each week.
Head Coach Greg Prater
Assistant Coach Mark Palmer, Chris Bralley
Blitz 2023 PAGE 11 2 Dominick Haynes Freshman 4 Waylon Nunley Sophomore 5 Austin Grabier Senior 7 Dalton Gates Sophomore 8 Randy Kestner Freshman 9 Xavier Stacey Freshman 10 Eli Williams Junior 11 Brody Waddle Freshman 12 John Garner Sophomore 20 Kaleb Havens Senior 21 Brandon Woodward Senior 23 Drake Maiden Senior 24 Jason McCall Freshman 25 Will Brown Sophomore 50 Gabe Frye Junior 51 Carl Gates Junior 52 Connor Anderson Junior 54 Jake Barlow Junior 55 Will Minton Senior 56 Jeremiah Belcher Freshman 57 Brady Snaders Freshman 60 Brayden Havens Freshman 61 James Terry Junior 62 Jessie Terry Junior 63 Andrew Call Sophomore 65 Snowden Hudgins Sophomore 66 Prestyn Reynoolds Sophomore 70 Jackson Nutter Sophomore 71 Shayne Ervin Junior 73 Caleb Gobble Senior 75 Tyler Burnette Sophomore 77 Matthew McGlockin Junior 79 Tyler Gillespie Freshman
Fall Schedule Chilhowie Football
Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. vs. Marion at home
Friday, Sept. 1- 7 p.m. at J.I. Burton
Friday, Sept. 8 – 7 p.m. at Narrows
Friday, Sept. 15 – 7 p.m. vs. Eastside
Friday, Sept. 22 – 7 p.m. at Northwood
Friday, Sept. 29 – 7 p.m. at Honaker
Friday, Oct. 13 – 7 p.m. vs. Rural Retreat
Thursday, Oct. 19 – 7 p.m. vs. Rye Cove
Friday, Oct. 27 – 7 p.m. at
Patrick Henry
Friday, Nov. 3 – 7 p.m. vs. Holston
Golf
Monday, Aug. 21 – 4:30 p.m. at Holston Hills Community Golf Course
Tuesday, Aug. 22 – 2 p.m. at Giles
Thursday, Aug. 24 – 4:30 p.m. at Holston Hills Community Golf Course
Thursday, Aug. 31 – 4 p.m. at Holston Hills Community Golf Course
Tuesday, Sept. 5 – 4:30
Cross Country
Saturday, Sept. 2 – 9 a.m. at Patrick Henry
Saturday, Sept. 9 – 10 a.m. at Green Hill Park, Salem
Saturday, Sept. 16 – 8 a.m. at Hungry Mother State Park
Saturday, Sept. 30 – 9 a.m. at Steele Creek Park, Bristol, Tennessee
Thursday, Oct. 5 – 4 p.m. at Sugar Hollow Park
Golf
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – at Cedar Hill in Lee County
Wednesday, Aug. 23 at Fincastle
p.m. at Wytheville Country Club
Thursday, Sept. 14 – 4 p.m. at Tazewell County Country Club
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – 4 p.m. at Glenrochie Country Club
Volleyball
Tuesday, Aug. 22 – 7:30 p.m. at Grayson County
Thursday, Aug. 24 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Marion
Monday, Aug. 28 – 7:30 p.m. at Fort Chiswell
Wednesday, Aug. 30 at
John S. Battle
Saturday, Sept. 9 – 9 a.m. tournament at Auburn
Monday, Sept. 11 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Grayson County
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – 7:30 p.m. at Northwood
Thursday, Sept. 21 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry
Monday, Sept. 25 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Fort Chiswell
Tuesday, Sept. 26 – 7:30 p.m. at Rural Retreat
Thursday, Sept. 28 – 7:30 p.m. at Holston
Tuesday, Oct. 3 – 7:30 p.. vs. Honaker
Thursday, Oct. 5 – 7:30
Fall Schedule Marion
Thursday, Sept. 7 at Holston Hills
Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Virginia High
Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Tazewell County Country Club
Monday, Sept. 25 – District Tournament at Tazewell
Volleyball
Thursday, Aug. 24 – 7:30 p.m. at Chilhowie High
Monday Aug. 28 - 7:30 p.m. at Northwood High
Tuesday, Aug. 29 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry
Thursday, Aug. 31 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Carroll County
Wednesday, Sept. 6 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Chilhowie
p.m. vs. Northwood
Friday, Oct. 6 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Cornerstone Christian Academy
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – 7:30
p.m. at Patrick Henry
Thursday, Oct. 12 – 7:30
p.m. vs. Rural Retreat
Tuesday, Oct. 17 – 7:30
p.m. vs. Holston
Wednesday, Oct. 18 –
7:30 p.m. at Honaker
Cross Country
Saturday, Aug. 26 – 8
a.m. at Blacksburg
Wednesday, Aug. 30 – 4 p.m. at Lebanon
Friday, Sept. 8 – Tournament – Rocky Top Classic
Thursday, Sept. 14 - 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School
Tuesday, Sept. 19 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Lebanon
Thursday, Sept. 21 - 7:30 p.m. at Tazewell High
Monday, Sept. 25 - 7:30 p.m. at Carroll County High
Tuesday, Sept. 26 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Graham
Thursday, Sept. 28 - 7:30 p.m. at Richlands
Tuesday, Oct. 3 - 7:30 p.m. at Virginia High
Thursday, Oct. 5 - 7:30 p.m. at Lebanon High
Tuesday, Oct. 10 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Tazewell
Saturday, Sept. 2 – 9 a.m. at Patrick Henry
Saturday, Sept. 9 – 10 a.m. at Green Hill Park, Salem
Saturday, Sept. 16 – 8 a.m. at Hungry Mother State Park
Wednesday, Sept. 20 – 3 p.m. at Galax
Saturday, Sept. 30 – 9 a.m. at Steele Creek Park, Bristol, Tennessee
Thursday, Oct. 5 – 4 p.m. at Sugar Hollow Park
Wednesday, Oct. 18 – 4 p.m. at Blacksburg
Thursday, Oct. 12 – 7:30 p.m. at Graham High
Tuesday, Oct. 17 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Richlands
Football
Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. at Chilhowie High
Friday, Sept. 1 - 7 p.m. vs. Central Wise
Friday, Sept. 8 - 7 p.m. vs. Lebanon
Friday, Sept. 15 - 7 p.m. at Gate City
Friday, Sept. 29 - 7 p.m. at Graham
Friday, Oct. 6 - 7 p.m. at Abingdon
Friday, Oct. 13 - 7 p.m. vs. Tazewell
Friday, Oct. 20 - 7 p.m. vs. Grundy
Friday, Oct. 27 - 7 p.m. vs. Richlands
Friday, Nov. 3 - 7 p.m. at Virginia High
PAGE 12 Blitz 2023 The Walker family proudly supports all of our Smyth County teams! ELECT BRIAN WALKER Smyth County Commissioner of Revenue paid for by Brian Walker for Commissioner