This week’s game marks the fourth season in the renewal of the friendly rivalry between the schools, with Avery winning two of the past three seasons. To the winner of each year’s contest goes The Avery Journal-Times Border Battle Trophy.Avery (3-0) enters Friday’s matchup coming off a huge 28-14 rivalry victory over the Watauga Pioneers, while the Cloudland Highlanders (2-1) are fresh off a 35-0 shutout of North Greene in Baileyton, TN last Thursday night.
In 2009, the Vikings used a strong second half performance to defeat the Highlanders 51-20 at MacDonald Stadium.
Scouting the Highlanders:
The Cloudland Highlanders are coached by Robbie Turbyfill and have used a spread offense to open holes for both running lanes for its backs and passing lanes. Thus far in 2010, the ‘Landers have relied on its running game to crank out tough yards and score points
Leading the Cloudland ground game is senior running back Matt Cole. Cole heads up a 'Lander rushing attack that racked up 295 yards against North Greene last week. Cloudland will also use a pair of athletes in Tyler Shell and Taylor Whitehead who will both take carries in the backfield at running back and also have split time taking snaps at the quarterback position thus far this season.
In 2010 Cloudland returned several starters along the offensive line, including senior Lucas Whitehead, who returned this season after suffering a devastating knee injury in last year’s game against Avery.
As the season has progressed, a lack of depth has caused programs for the ‘Landers. Due to the thin ranks, many of the same offensive starters double on the defensive side the football as standouts. Shell has stepped up this season on both sides of the ball and is among the team leaders in tackles for the club.
The Low Down
Thus far the Cloudland club has shown glimpses of greatness when it comes to running the football. The team was dominant in the ground game last week at North Greene, but seemed to struggle in all phases in a loss two weeks ago at home to West Greene.
Meanwhile, the Vikings have shown the ability to handle various sizes of teams, from the 1A level (Robbinsville) to the 2A level (West Wilkes) and the 4A level (Watauga). Nevertheless, when these two clubs get together, one can throw out the record books. The rivalry is a friendly one, but neither team wants to leave the field Friday night on the short end of the scoreboard.
Avery was successful passing the football Friday night at Watauga, but the team still committed four turnovers in the game and rushed for less than 100 yards as a team.
For the Vikings to leave Roan Mountain undefeated, they must first take better care of the ball. Cloudland saw firsthand a season ago what effect turnovers can have on the outcome of a game, as the ‘Landers gave up the football four times to Avery, helping the Vikings run away with the game in the second half of last year’s game.
In last Friday’s win over Watauga, the Vikings coughed up the pigskin four times (two fumbles, two INTs), but managed to overcome the mistakes to come out on top. Ironically, the Vikings also committed four turnovers in last year’s win over Cloudland.
Friday’s game is always an emotional game as the teams play with all their heart and pride for their respective schools and teams. That emotion can translate into penalties and mistakes on the field, as the ‘Landers fell victim to in last year’s backyard brawl.
Look for the Vikings to attempt to exploit the Cloudland secondary on defense, as West Greene did to the tune of three touchdown passes in the Landers’ shutout defeat two weeks ago. Avery’s pass game was effective against the Pioneers, a team some pundits felt Avery would not be able to throw the ball against because of speed and depth.
For Cloudland to hoist the Border Battle Trophy at game’s end, they must control the game. Cloudland will have to play virtually error-free to keep the game interesting, and needs to control the time of possession. The best way for the Highlanders to defend the Vikings offense will be to keep Avery’s potent attack off the field.
By the Numbers:
5- turnovers the Cloudland Highlanders forced in their 35-0 shutout of North Greene last week.
6- number of Avery receivers with at least one catch in last week’s win over the Pioneers.
48- yards in total offense surrendered by the Cloudland defense in last week’s win.
77- yards rushing surrendered by the Avery defense in last week’s rivalry win over the Watauga Pioneers.
161- yards rushing by Cloudland running back Matt Cole in last week’s win over North Greene.
390 – yards of total offense in Avery’s 28-14 win at Watauga last Friday.
Read next week’s print edition of The Avery Journal-Times as well as our online sports blog at www.ajtsports.blogspot.com for a full recap of Friday’s game with Cloudland. Avery football is off next Friday, but returns to action on September 24th when it opens conference play at Owen.
