Bluefield back on the gridiron

BLUEFIELD — It’s been three weeks since the Bluefield Beavers last played a football game.

They’re glad to be back.

“We worked, we worked and worked like we always do, and that is all we could do,” Bluefield head coach Fred Simon said. “Now it is time to get back to business. This group has accepted everything we have had to do, I am proud of them as far as that goes, they have worked and they try.”

Despite a 2-4 record, the Beavers still have plenty of play for, such as a possible berth in the Class AA playoffs.

“I know there is an outside shot, I know there is, now things have to happen, but again there is an outside chance,” Simon said. “All we can do is take them one at a time and try to win each game and see from there.

“I know if we happen to get beat again there is no chance, but all we can do is try to win them and take it from there.”

Bluefield enters tonight’s game at Oak Hill ranked 23rd in Class AA, while the Eddy Souk-coached Red Devils (3-4) are 20th. Both teams are trying to climb into the top 16 by the season’s final week.

The Red Devils are led on offense by speedy backs Jalen Jones — who was formerly at Mount Hope, which has now consolidated with Oak Hill — Quinton Coats and Demetri Gray, while the defense is paced by Kam Carroll.

Oak Hill has won two of its last three games, including a 54-20 win at James Monroe, and last week’s 35-0 blanking of Class AAA Nicholas County.

“They have got a lot of speed, the Jones kid does a nice job of running the ball,” Simon said. “They all run well and they have got a nice team, they are a good football team...

“They are coached different now with Coach Souk. He is an older gentleman who has done a nice job and knows how to work kids and do things. They are well-coached and this will be different because I have never faced him before.”

Both teams are in must-win mode, with the Beavers just glad to play after not facing an opponent this month. They lost 21-7 at Gate City on Sept. 30, and enter this game with a three-game losing streak.

“We would much rather have had a win down there, but that is not an easy task,” Simon said. “You have got to love the challenge and eventually we are going to do our best to get it down there, I like that challenge...

“We had an opportunity, but we just didn’t take advantage. We just have to take advantage of our opportunities and that is hopefully what we are getting ready to do.”

Oak Hill is actually Bluefield’s first Class AA from the Mountain State this season. The schedule has been tough, including trips to Charlotte and Gate City. Simon would be prefer to be better than 2-4 — with wins over Graham and Greenbrier East — but the Beavers are now just focused on finishing out the season on a high mark.

“It’s not the best we could be, but again with the schedule it could be worst,” Simon said. “Now I want to see what we can do for each week from here on out and that will tell me something about the players...

“We are doing our best. I know it hasn’t been good enough yet, but I think if we keep working and trying something good is going to happen to this bunch.”

The long break did allow the Beavers time to heal, meaning Montel Leggett should be ready to add to his 542 yards and nine touchdowns, while quarterback D.J. Edwards has run for 280 yards and three scores, and thrown for two more.

Jeff James has been a big play machine on defense for Bluefield, and he’ll have to play well tonight against the Red Devils, who are also eyeing the postseason.

“We can’t give up the big play, we have to play good fundamental defense, we have to not turn the ball over and take advantage of our opportunities and play good on special teams and we’ll see,” Simon said. “We have tried and worked on it the last couple of weeks, but it just hasn’t been against competition so that is the thing hopefully we can improve on.”

Simon has been pleased with the attitude and work ethic of the Beavers, who haven’t complained about the long layoff between games.

While Simon intends to work on schedule improvements in the offseason, right now the Beavers are just ready to play football again.

“We are going to focus on this season and right now and making the best of what we have got now,” Simon said, “and trying to do our best to finish with a winning season and see if we have a chance to get in those playoffs...”