2023 WYTHE COUNTY "BLITZ"

The Southwest Virginia Sun presents

blitz

A preseason look at Wythe County Football

New mission and new coach for the Fort... page 2

GW chasing greatness again... page 5

Young Indians hold a lot of promise... page 7

August 2023

PAGE 2

Blitz 2023

Fort Chiswell High School

Roster 1 Caleb Foushee Sophomore 2 Garrett Stone Sophomore 3 Brayden Billings Junior 4 Brady Kelly Senior 5 Matthew Hanks Senior 6 Jacob Goins Senior 7 Layton Kennedy Senior 8 Ethan Martin Junior 9 Cam Alley Junior 10 Chase Hetherington Junior 11 Gabe Clark Junior 12 Weston Stoots Senior 13 Jackson Johnson Freshman 15 Zayne Sayers Junior 20 Lukus Charles Junior 21 Miguel Kincer Sophomore

24 Eric Crawford Senior 26 Aiden Jones Junior 30 Joseph Shipwash Freshman 31 Jeremiah Cline Senior 33 Tyler Mills Senior 34 Michael Melton Senior 35 Dwayne Shockley Freshman 44 Carter Bailey Junior 45 Landon Spurlock Junior 50 Caleb Jones Senior 51 Ryan Spurlock Senior 52 Zack Morris Senior 53 John Dalton Junior 54 Malachai Lawson Junior 55 Andrew Lottridge Junior 56 David Felts Senior

60 Thomas Burris Sophomore 63 Carter Perdue Senior 64 Ethan Sheffey Senior 65 Aiden Rooney Freshman 66 Boston White Sophomore 67 Samuel Scott Freshman 68 RJ Hovencamp Freshman 69 Travis Wright Sophomore 70 Colten Morgan Freshman 74 Brenden Mabry Sophomore 80 Luke Hillenberg Senior 83 Tristan Blair Freshman 84 Eli Martin Freshman 86 Dakota Bailey Freshman Head Coach Zane Quesenberry

New coach, new mission

By Stephanie Conner

A rumble begins to rise and you know school is back in session.

A fortress is on the horizon. A Fort comes into view.

This can mean only one thing: FOOTBALL HAS RETURNED TO MAX MEADOWS. With the visionary Coach Zane Quesenberry at the front, the Fort Chiswell Pioneers will kick off their 2023 Fall season at Rural Retreat on Aug. 25.

Coach Quesenberry makes his debut at Fort Chiswell this Fall, joining the team in February of this year.

Zane began his coaching career a decade ago in Tennessee, slowly working his way back to his hometown of Pulaski, Virginia. He has worked as coach for both middle and high schools as well as defensive coordinator for Auburn.

Aside from winning, Coach Quesenberry is concentrating on creating a program that establishes “a culture of high standards and expectations both on the field and off because we have to learn to win at the school building before anything else.”

See FORT CHISWELL, Page 3

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Blitz 2023

LET’S GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

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Fort Chiswell: New skipper helms Pioneers From Page 2

Coach continues that “creating a family culture, an atmosphere of unselfishness,” is a top priority for his program.

As a good mentor and leader, Coach Quesenberry embraces the opportunity to shoulder the stresses from the expectations of the community, students and school, as well as his players. He works to instill confidence in his team, re-assuring them that they are a family and each one can count on the other. Proving that the

coaching staff is available to support them no matter what.

Coming to the field with 16 seniors this mature squad is looking for a breakout season. This is one program you do not want to miss.

Senior Michael Melton is primed to have a breakout season both offensively and defensively. Senior Layton Kennedy has potential to be a great receiver and defensive back. Junior Cam Alley is shin-

See FORT CHISWELL, Page 4

PAGE 4

Fort Chiswell: New skipper helms Pioneers From Page 4

ing as quarterback with some pressure of other aspiring quarterbacks coming in behind him.

Seniors Weston Stoots and Jacob Goins will be top contributors this season. Up front on the line,

Brenden Mabry is a very strong contender in his sophomore year.

Being the third head coach in four years, Coach Quesenberry assures us the Pioneers are ready to build a program that future

generations will be proud to represent, and the 2023 boys will be able to say they were instrumental in that success.

Knowing the Mountain Empire District is one of, if not the hardest district in Virginia, there

is no room for an off game. They must bring their all and leave it all on the field EVERY game.

Pioneer football is more than a game; it is a family. The community is a vital member of that family. Fort Chiswell, it is time

to show up and show out for the Boys of Fall. With five home games this season let’s show this squad the support they deserve and pack those stand on Sept.

15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 13 and Oct. 20.

Blitzr 2023

George Wythe High School

PAGE 5

Maroons chase greatness

By Stephanie Conner

The mountains are humming with excitement.

The blue is ready to give way to a wave

of maroon. This can mean only one thing; football has returned to Wytheville.

Under the triumphant guidance of Coach Brandon Harner, the George Wythe Maroons will take to the field to open their

season away at Radford on Aug. 25.

Coach Harner brings a decade of dedication and experience at George Wythe to this 2023 program, faithfully as the Ma-

See GEORGE WYTHE, Page 6

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Blitz 2023

George Wythe: Chasing greatness From Page 5

roons head coach.

Brandon started his coaching career at 18, coached throughout his college years, creating a career now spanning 23 years.

Goals for the 2023 squad will mirror those of last year. With one of the most demanding schedules of Class 1 football, expectations will be set on improvements with each game.

Coach Harner will be the first to admit that he places pressure upon himself to excel and exceed the expectations of the community, the school, and most importantly his players.

He states that prioritizing his life away from school to be a great husband and father allows him to handle the stress of being the George Wythe head coach.

He strives for his players to enjoy the game and for him to shoulder the stresses of the expectations of greatness that the preceding coaches have made standard for George Wythe football. Brandon enters each year working to build a relationship with the incoming freshman so that they realize this is more than a team, it is a family, and it is a family that stands with each other. His door is always open to talk with one of his players and help them work through the stresses they may be feeling from the

Roster 7 Ethan Gates Freshman 8 Cade Bralley Freshman 22 Luca Charles Freshman 53 Byron Haskins Freshman 14 Jeriah Cooper Freshman 24 Urijah Hunt-Diorio Freshman 65 Bryson Bard Freshman 25 Trenton Hall Sophmore 19 Seth Ortis Sophmore 13 J’mere Rivens Sophmore 23 Camden Skeens Sophmore 56 Trey Sparks Sophmore 51 Gunner Gray Sophmore 9 Kaiden Irby Sophmore 54 William McCauley-Gray Sophmore 21 Aaron Jackson Sophmore 60 Isaiah Cook Sophmore 17 Ashton Crigger Sophmore 75 Isaac Cabell Sophmore 76 Charles Aikens Sophmore 5 Holden Luttrell Junior

50 Hollis Rigney Junior 55 Dylan Sisk Junior 52 Kyle Stephens Junior 71 Brock Ayers Junior 3 Brayden Rainey Junior 69 Thomas Mitchell Junior 77 Brett Smelser Junior 6 Luke Clarke Junior 4 Trey Rainey Junior 2 Shane Huff Junior 19 Isaiah Alford Junior 16 Jessee Collins Junior 74 Jared Carpenter Junior 70 Alex Murrell Senior 15 Tandom Smith Senior 1 Laden Houston Senior 12 Caleb Campbell Senior 11 Austin Repass Senior Head Coach Brandon Harner

343 E. Lee Trinkle Drive Wytheville, VA

community or school’s expectations.

With six seniors leading the Maroons to victory this season they are expecting some stars to shine. The offensive line being key to allowing the team to show up and show out.

All State Senior Tandem Smith will be dominating as quarterback. Senior Laden Houston will be prominent this season as tailback. Senior Austin Repass paired with juniors Shane Huff, Brayden Rainey and Trey Rainey will have their skills tested and provide some great football this season.

With a district of powerhouses, 2023 is primed to be full of entertainment and not lacking excitement. George Wythe is looking to be at the top of the Mountain Empire District again.

Counting each game as crucial to the season’s success and settling for nothing less than 10 and 0. The Maroons will be hosting five home games this season: on Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3 Wytheville, let us make sure to stand behind these hardworking young men and show them the support they deserve by packing the stands each week.

When we show up, it matters.

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Blitz 2023

Rural Retreat High School

PAGE 7

Young Indians hold a lot of promise

By Stephanie Conner The days are warm, and the nights are cool.

Fireflies flit throughout the trees.

The classrooms are filling with eager giggles as it is time to go back to school. This can mean only one thing, football has returned to Rural Retreat.

The legendary Coach Jamey Hughes will lead the Rural Retreat Indians onto the field on Aug. 25, to kick off the Fall season against the Fort Chiswell Pioneers.

With close to two decades of experience,

See RURAL RETREAT, Page 8

To our hometown team from your hometown bank

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Blitz 2023

Rural Retreat: Young team taking field From Page 7

Coach Hughes is no stranger to football. Jamey has been the In-

dians Head Coach for five years now. 2023 begins his 23rd year of coaching high school football, with 15 years of coaching base-

ball on his resume as well.

He has experience throughout Southwest Virginia coaching at Abingdon High School, Holston

We proudly support all

Wythe County Teams!

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Aside from winning on the

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See RURAL RETREAT, Page 10

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PAGE 9

Blitz 2023

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2 Caleb Roberts Senior 3 Chaz Penwright Sophmore 5 Jake Rollyson Freshman 6 Dawson WIlliams Freshman 7 Trever Shelton Sophmore 8 Warren Robinson Freshman 9 Justin Walker Sophmore 10 Jay Snavely Sophmore 11 Christopher Sapp Senior 12 Eli Atwell Freshman 14 Anderson Newberry Junior 15 Austin Umberger Junior 16 Tucker Fontaine Senior 17 Tony Alcazar Junior 20 Talan Hammack Junior 22 Gunner Hagerman Senior 23 Ely Newberry Freshman 24 Hunter Vaught Sophmore 25 Tucker Hudson Freshman 26 Holston Bear Freshman 30 Ian Doss Freshman 31 Dakota Lemmon Sophmore 33 Hunter Rollyson Sophmore 40 Caleb Gibson Sophmore 51 Carter Haga Freshman 52 Hunter Pennington Sophmore 56 Dalton Ray Sophmore 57 Scott Meredith Junior 59 Jacob Dalton Senior 61 Easton Burkentine Sophmore 63 Grayson Irvin Junior 64 Mason Fields Freshman 65 Gage Baker Freshman 70 Alijeh Nunley Senior 72 Brandon Smith Junior 75 Lucas Shrader Junior 76 Leland Seagle Sophmore 77 Scottie Campbell Sophmore 78 Eli Poole Sophmore 88 Odelle Stroupe Senior Head Coach Jamey Hughes

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Rural Retreat: Young team taking field From Page 8

losing focus on the little things and becoming consumed by the final score.

This young team is primed with talent and cannot wait to be on the field in competition.

As the head coach it is common to find the expectations of the fans, parents, and the school to be stressful, Coach Hughes is quick to acknowledge how

blessed this program is to receive the community’s support. Coach admits in the strive for excellence, much of the stress he encounters is from himself.

There are times the players will shoulder their own stress from the expectations they think the community has for them, and it is then that coach reminds them that “pressure is

privilege.” He follows, “If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.”

Taking to the field with the experience of their seven seniors, the Indians are primed to show off their

hard work. Senior Caleb Roberts will not only be a defensive starter but will also be the starting quarterback. Leading the offensive and defensive line will be seniors Jacob Dalton, Gunner Hagerman, and

Tucker Fontaine.

Enthusiastically the Indians will be hosting five home games this season, the first time since 2018.

Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Sept. 29, Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 Rural Retreat, 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.

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Blitz 2023

Fall Schedule Fort Chiswell

Golf

Thursday, Aug. 17 – 4 p.m. at Draper Valley Golf Club for Superintendent’s Cup Monday, Aug. 21 at Wolf Creek Golf Club Monday, Aug. 28 at Castle Rock Golf Club Thursday, Aug. 31 – 3 p.m. at Draper Valley Golf Club Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Auburn Hills Monday, Sept. 11 at New River Country Club Tuesday, Sept. 12 – 4:30 p.m. at Blacksburg Municipal Course Monday, Sept. 18 – District Tournament

Volleyball

Wednesday, Aug. 23 – 7 p.m. at Tazewell High School Saturday, Aug. 26 – at Virginia High School Monday, Aug. 28 - 7 p.m. vs. Chilhowie Thursday, Aug. 31 - 7 p.m. at Bland County High Tuesday, Sept. 5 - 7 p.m. at Rural Retreat High Thursday, Sept. 7 - 7 p.m. vs. Grayson County Monday, Sept. 11 - 7 p.m. vs. Rural Retreat Tuesday, Sept. 12 - 7 p.m. at Auburn High Thursday, Sept. 14 - 7 p.m. at George Wythe High Tuesday, Sept. 19 - 7 p.m. vs. Galax Thursday, Sept. 21 - 7 p.m. vs. Giles Monday, Sept. 25 - 7 p.m. at Chilhowie Tuesday, Sept. 26 - 7 p.m. vs. Bland County Tuesday, Oct. 3 - 7 p.m. at Grayson County High Thursday, Oct. 5 - 7 p.m. vs. George Wythe Thursday, Oct. 12 - 7 p.m. at Galax High Tuesday, Oct. 17 - 7 p.m. at Giles High Wednesday, Oct. 18 - 7 p.m. vs. Tazewell

Football

Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. at Rural Retreat High

Friday, Sept. 1 - 7 p.m. at Floyd County High Friday, Sept. 15 - 7 p.m. vs. Tazewell Friday, Sept. 22 - 7 p.m. vs. Eastern Montgomery Friday, Sept. 29 - 7 p.m. vs. Parry McCluer Friday, Oct. 6 - 7 p.m. at Grayson County High Friday, Oct. 13 - 7 p.m. vs. Auburn Friday, Oct. 20 - 7 p.m. vs. George Wythe Friday, Oct. 27 - 7 p.m. at Galax High Friday, Nov. 3 - 7 p.m. at Giles High

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 - from birth announcements to obituaries and everything in between.

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Sports

The same goes for sports.

While we are able Help Wanted to staff some games and The Sun is growing and looking for contracevents, we need your help tors to cover news, features and sports in Wythe in keeping up with the goCounty. The Sun is also on the hunt for sales ings on. Send photos of reps to service and develop accounts throughout your teams, your practices the region. Contact us at chawkins@swvamedia. and your scores to Swvacom or call (276) 200-4137 Sun@gmail.com

PAGE 12

Blitz 2023

Fall Schedule George Wythe

Cross Country

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 – 10 a.m. at Randolph Park, Pulaski Thursday, Oct. 5 – 5 p.m. at Sugar Hollow for Randy Smith Invitational Saturday, Oct. 7 – 11 a.m. McAlpine Park, Charlotte, North Carolina for Wendy’s Invitational Saturday, Oct. 14 – 9 a.m. at Sugar Hollow Park for the Don Cumbow Wednesday, Oct. 25 – Mountain Empire District Tournament Wednesday, Nov. 1 – Region C Tournament Saturday, Nov. 11 – Virginia State Tournament – Green Hill Park, Salem

Golf

Thursday, Aug. 17 – 4 p.m. at Draper Valley Golf Club for Superintendent’s Cup Thursday, Aug. 25 – 4 p.m. at Blue Ridge Country Club Monday, Aug. 28 – 4 p.m. at Pembroke Country Club Tuesday, Sept. 5 – 4 p.m. at Auburn Hills Golf Club Thursday, Sept. 7 – 4 p.m. at Wytheville Country Club Monday , Sept. 18 – District Tournament

Volleyball

Tuesday, Aug. 22 – 7:30 p.m. at Graham Middle School Thursday, Aug. 24 - 7:30 p.m. vs.

Rural Retreat Thursday, Aug. 31 - 7:30 p.m. at Rural Retreat High Saturday, Sept. 2 – tournament at Patrick Henry High School

Tuesday, Sept. 5 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Galax Thursday, Sept. 7 - 7:30 p.m. at Giles High Saturday, Sept. 9 – tournament at Auburn High School Tuesday, Sept. 12 - 7:30 p.m. at Bland County High Thursday, Sept. 14 - 7:30 p.m. vs.

Fort Chiswell Monday, Sept. 18 - 7:30 p.m. vs.

Graham Tuesday, Sept. 19 - 7:30 p.m. vs.

Grayson County Thursday, Sept. 21 - 7:30 p.m. at Auburn High Thursday, Sept. 28 - 7:30 p.m. at Galax High Tuesday, Oct. 3 - 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. vs. Giles Thursday, Oct. 5 - 7:30 p.m. vs.

Bland County Tuesday, Oct. 10 - 7:30 p.m. at Fort Chiswell High Thursday, Oct. 12 - 7:30 p.m. at

Grayson County High Tuesday, Oct. 17 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Auburn

Football

Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. at Radford High School Friday, Sept. 8 - 7 p.m. vs. Graham Friday, Sept. 15 - 7 p.m. vs. Carroll County Friday, Sept. 22 - 7 p.m. vs. Rural Retreat Friday, Sept. 29 - 7 p.m. at Galax High School Friday, Oct. 6 - 7 p.m. vs. Giles Friday, Oct. 13 - 7 p.m. at J.I. Burton High School Friday, Oct. 20 - 7 p.m. at Fort Chiswell High School Friday, Oct. 27 - 7 p.m. at Grayson County High School Friday, Nov. 3 - 7 p.m. vs. Auburn

Fall Schedule Rural Retreat

Cross Country

Wednesday, Aug. 30 – 6 p.m. at Lebanon Primary School Saturday, Sept. 2 – 9 a.m. at Patrick Henry High School 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

Golf

Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Saltville Golf Club Thursday, Aug. 17 at Draper Golf Club Monday, Aug. 21 at Holston Hills Golf Course Monday, Aug. 28 at Patrick Henry

Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Wytheville Golf Club Thursday, Sept. 14 at Tazewell County Country Club

Volleyball

Monday, Aug. 21 – 7:30 p.m. at Grayson County High School Tuesday, Aug. 22 - 7:30 p.m. at Bland County High School Thursday, Aug. 24 – 7:30 p.m. at George Wythe High School Saturday, Aug. 26 – tournament at Virginia High School Monday, Aug. 28 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

Grayson County Thursday, Aug. 31 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

George Wythe Tuesday, Sept. 5 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Fort Chiswell Monday, Sept. 11 – 7:30 p.m. at Fort Chiswell High School Tuesday, Sept. 19 – 7:30 p.m. at

Honaker High School Thursday, Sept. 21 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

Northwood Tuesday, Sept. 26 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

Chilhowie Thursday, Sept. 28 – 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School Monday, Oct. 2 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Bland Tuesday, Oct. 3 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

Holston Thursday, Oct. 5 – 7:30 p.m. vs.

Honaker Tuesday, Oct. 10 – 7:30 p.m. at Northwood High School Thursday, Oct. 12 – 7:30 p.m. at Chilhowie High School Tuesday, Oct. 17 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry Thursday, Oct. 19 – 7:30 p.m. at Holston High School Monday, Oct. 23 – District Tournament Tuesday, Oct. 24 – District Tournament

Thursday, Oct. 26 – District Tournament

Football

Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. vs. Fort Chiswell Friday, Sept. 1 – 7 p.m. at Eastern Montgomery Friday, Sept. 8 – 7 p.m. vs. Grayson County Friday, Sept. 15 – bye Friday, Sept. 22 – 7 p.m. at George Wythe Friday, Sept. 29 – 7 p.m. vs. Patrick Henry Friday, Oct. 6 – 7 p.m. at Lebanon High School Friday, Oct. 13 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Northwood Friday, Oct. 27 – 7 p.m. at Holston High School Friday, Nov. 3 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Honaker