Trending
1984 anyone?
George Orwell.
I'm not sure how many people who might see this have read or done a term paper on the aforementioned novel, but the book written in 1949 might seem like a guide to the future for some.
Back into reality, the Ritchie County Rebels are currently the most dangerous 0-3 team in the Little Kanawha Conference in my opinion.
Rick Haught's troops have nothing to lose going into Friday's game in Ellenboro against Doddridge County, which is seeking program victory No. 500.
Should the current No. 6 Bulldogs of boss Bobby Burnside improve to 4-0 they will have a date to extend their current 10-game winning streak against Wirt County awaiting next Friday at Wilson-Eismon Field.
Jason Hickman, in his second stint guiding the orange and black, leads one of a baker's dozen remaining unbeatens in Class A.
Suffice it to say every ratings point will be crucial.
"Our toughest competition is ahead of us, not behind us," stressed coach Hickman, who got Channing Lowe back from injury during Friday's homecoming blowout victory versus Ravenswood that featured Chase Lowe going for a school record six touchdowns.
"We can't be satisfied because we know that we are going to get challenged for the weeks to come, but I'm excited for that."
Chase Lowe was the last Tiger to score five touchdowns, which he did week two in New Martinsville against Magnolia. On Friday, the tailback topped his five rushing scores with six. The final one came midway in the third quarter.
Previously scoring five TDs for the Tigers were Cam Nelson in 2015 versus Roane County (four rushing, one receiving), Dalton Brindo in 2012 versus Moorefield (three rushing, two receiving), Tim Corbitt in 1977 against Gilmer County (five rushing) and Rich Cain in 1966 against Pennsboro with two rushing, two receiving and one kickoff return for a score.
"It was one of those things where I knew he had tied it in a previous game," coach Hickman recalled of homecoming. "He had tied it at five and in the Ravenswood game it wasn't on purpose. You look up and he's got four. He gets another one and then it's like 'OK, man.'
"We tried to get him the next one so he could get the record. The first two games of the year we only played varsity in the first half. Then in the third game versus Gilmer we played them in the third quarter and Friday we played them in the third quarter."
Coach Hickman knows a gauntlet of a schedule awaits and being primed to go will be key.
"Our kids haven't played," Hickman said of a full game. "You can't replace game conditions. Hopefully, that's not going to be a factor.
"As we go forward we are going to play some teams where it takes all four quarters."
Although WCHS plans to feature some offensive wrinkles for the Bulldogs, controlling the trenches will be critical if the Tigers hope to remain unbeaten in their 100th season of football.
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com