For the second time in three weeks, Tazewell football will make a long road trip, this time making the 182-mile trip to Staunton, Virginia to take on the Riverheads Gladiators Saturday. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. ET.
The Bulldogs are 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the SWD. The Gladiators are 2-1 overall this season. Riverheads is averaging an impressive 49 points per game on the young season.
The game will air live on the NFHS network. It can be heard on the Bulldog Radio Network with Chase Collins and Jimi Watson on the radio call.
THE SERIES
Record vs. Riverheads: 0-2
First Meeting: 2/27/21 (L, 28-17 at Riverheads)
Last Meeting: 9/25/21 (L, 56-19 at Tazewell)
Record in Tazewell: 0-1
Record in Riverheads: 0-1
GAME NOTES
Friday night, the Bulldogs held the John Battle Trojans to negative 40 rushing yards in the contest, the lowest single-game total during defensive coordinator Brandon McDaniel’s tenure. The previous low, was negative 9 rushing yards against Marion on March 6th, 2021.
Junior LB Kaizon Taylor leads the Bulldogs with 23 tackles, 2 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss. Junior LB Brock Alley is tied for the team lead with 2 sacks. Alley has 15 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. Sophomore LB Reece Mullins has added 13 ½ tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery.
Sophomore DB Logan McDonald leads the team with two interceptions.
Freshman DT Jashon Taylor has been a force on the defensive line for the Bulldogs in the early part of the season. Taylor has 10 ½ tackles and three tackles for loss. He has also forced a fumble.
The Tazewell defense is currently giving up 109 rushing yards per game. In the two previous meetings with Riverheads, the Bulldogs have surrendered 803 rushing yards (401.5 yards per game) on 111 rush attempts (7.23 yards per carry).
Two weeks ago, Riverheads saw their 52 game winning streak snapped at the hands of Lord Botetourt. The 52-game streak is tied with Phoebus for the longest streak ever in Virginia High School football history.
The Bulldogs have rushed for 12 touchdowns this year (Cassius Harris 7, Kaizon Taylor 3, Brock Alley 1, and AyvRee Zeigler 1). In 11 games last season, the Bulldogs rushed for only 10 touchdowns.
In last year’s contest, QB Carter Creasy passed for 317 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also rushed for 97 yards.
On his way to his VHSL Record 104 receptions last season, Cassius Harris caught 20 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in last year’s matchup. The 20 receptions tied the VHSL single-game record for receptions.
Through four games this season, Tazewell is averaging 177 yards per game rushing and 95 yards per game passing.
