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
We
service
perform preventative on all of our main brands.
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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-
FORT
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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.
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
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
Without further delay let
introduce you to the Boys of Fall 2023:
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,
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Serving
Southwest Virginia.
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P.O. Box 1003 Wytheville VA 24382
Phone: (276) 200-4137
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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
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
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
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
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
Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Wytheville Golf Club
Thursday, Sept. 14 at Tazewell County Country Club
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
Grayson County High
Tuesday, Oct. 17 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Auburn
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
Thursday, Oct. 26 – District Tournament
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