2023 Smyth County Blitz

The Southwest Virginia Sun presents

blitz

A preseason look at Smyth County Football

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

PAGE 2

Blitz 2023

Chilhowie High School

Thirteen seniors anchor Warriors

By Stephanie Conner

The 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.

Coach Sturgill is no newcomer to Chilhowie football, having played on this

Roster

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 field himself. For the past seven years Reid has been

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

the assistant coach at CHS, taking the helm as Head

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

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 community.

See CHILHOWIE, Page 3

PAGE 3

Blitz 2023

Chilhowie: Thirteen seniors anchor Warriors From Page 2

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

See CHILHOWIE, Page 4

LET’S GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL! 735 E. Lexington St., Wytheville, VA 276.228.4521 • www.wythesheetmetal.com

We design/build, install, service and perform preventative on all of our main brands.

For over 30 years we have been the HVAC contractor of choice in Wytheville and the surrounding areas.

• HVAC, AC & Heat Pumps • Geo-Thermal Systems • Duct Cleaning • Welding Gas Exchange • Water Heaters • Boilers • Unit Heaters - Forced Air Furnace • Radiant Heating • Indoor Air Quality • Gas Appliances • Gas Piping • Generators

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.

Blitzr 2023

Marion Senior High School

PAGE 5

Canes ready to show strong

By Stephanie Conner

There 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

See MARION, Page 6

PAGE 6

Blitz 2023

To our hometown team from your hometown bank

Have a Great Season!

Marion: Hurricane warning From Page 5

school may want for them.

The players hustle, practicing as early as 6:30 am and dedicating themselves to the program as a family, more than a team.

The 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

See MARION, Page 7

Roster “Our Listings Come With A View!”

Appalachian Realty Co. Inc. Full Service Real Estate & Auction Services 123 W. Main Street, Marion, VA • 276-783-5173 appalachianrealtors.com

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

Ad paid for by candidate.

Blitz 2023

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

See MARION, Page 11

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Blitz 2023

Northwood High School

Panthers plan breakout

Photo by Windi Nutter

By Stephanie Conner The 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

See NORTHWOOD, Page 9

PAGE 9

Blitz 2023

Northwood: Big promise From Page 8

pilgrimage, Coach Prater coached

Little League before becoming the head coach for the Middle School for

Photo by Windi Nutter

See NORTHWOOD, Page 10

"The Best Reuben Sandwich in Southwest Virginia!”

Go P a ! hers nt

811 East Main Street 276-496-9798

Live Music on Saturday Nights

PAGE 10

Blitz 2023

Northwood: From Page 9

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 Serving Southwest Virginia.

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

News Get it in We welcome all your news. If you have something to share, shoot us an email at SwvaSun@gmail.com

Eli Williams, quarterback for Northwood High School.

PAGE 11

Blitz 2023

Fall Schedule Northwood

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 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 Head Coach Greg Prater Assistant Coach Mark Palmer, Chris Bralley

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.

PAGE 12

Blitz 2023

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

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

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

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

Fall Schedule Marion

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

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

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

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

The Walker family proudly supports all of our Smyth County teams!

ELECT BRIAN WALKER paid for by Brian Walker for Commissioner

Smyth County Commissioner of Revenue